Diving Into Hydrotherapy: Why Canine Bodywork Clinic Switched to Pata

If there’s one thing we know, it’s that our partners work harder than a German shepherd doing scentwork! From undertaking months or years of specialised training to pouring their hearts into every animal, there’s a story behind each business and we love to hear them.

With that, it’s time for the next instalment in our "Meet Pata Pet Carers" blog series. We spoke to Claire McGurk, proud owner and lead therapist at the Canine Bodywork Clinic, about how caring for her own pets shifted her career path and why moving to the Pata booking platform has been so game-changing for her business.

Meet Claire, a professional with a purpose

Before we get to the questions, here’s a bit about Claire and her journey into canine hydrotherapy.

Passionate about animals (but especially dogs) from a young age, she was first introduced to the world of clinical canine massage when her soulmate GSD, Misty, had an onset of arthritis — and to hydrotherapy when her beloved South African mastiff, Zuri, was diagnosed with hip dysplasia.

Having seen the phenomenal difference that these treatments made to her furry friends’ lives, Claire started her training on a new path and the Canine Bodywork Clinic was born.

From there it was onwards and upwards, and soon she was looking for booking software that could support her growing business. This is where we come in, but we’ll let Claire take it from here.

What challenges did you face using a generic booking system before moving to Pata?

“The generic booking system I previously used was very limited. While it did have an ‘add-on’ for pet clients, it was lacking on how much information I could add which was important to me. This included details about the dog, such as breed, age, medical history, behaviour etc.”

How has Pata helped you manage your hydrotherapy appointments more smoothly?

“I have a lot more detail located in one place, with the ability to easily edit everything. It has been great for the small details too, such as being able to check out multiple appointments for those wishing to pay for their bookings in advance, or for clients who have more than one pet.”

What difference have you noticed in how your clients book since switching?

“My clients have told me that the new system is very easy to use and the transition has been smooth for them. They are very happy with the reminders they receive too.”

Is there a particular feature in Pata that makes your daily work easier?

“Yes, I love that I am able to change the pre-booked appointment ‘type’ at checkout. So, if I need to amend the treatment session (e.g. Hydrotherapy to Clinical Massage) on the day due to whatever reason, I can do so very easily and invoice clients accordingly.”

How do you feel Pata is designed for hydrotherapists compared to other providers?

“Being able to view additional details at a quick glance has definitely been great, especially to see medical history and behaviour.”

What impact has Pata had on your business overall?

“The biggest thing is fewer no-shows due to the amazing appointment reminders.”

Would you recommend Pata to other hydrotherapists — and if so, why?

“Absolutely. I was reluctant to change from my existing provider to another in case I lost any information, or my clients found it difficult, but it has been the complete opposite.

The customer service from the team at Pata has been second to none and the transition went very smoothly. Any additional details I needed on the client forms have been added instantly, and their booking software is a real game-changer! The bonus is that my clients love it.”

If you’re using a generic appointment system, Pata can help you too. Follow in Claire’s footsteps by scheduling a free demo to see how simple it can be to manage treatment plans and tackle no-shows with our canine hydrotherapy software.