The current VIN date & time: Eastern

VIN PRAC120-0722: Anatomy of an Exotics Pet Practice

The lectures for this course will be presented in an audio format using a webinar platform.

Presenter: Rose Ann Fiskett, MS, VMD, Dipl. ABVP ECM
Course Open: July 1-27, 2022
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Sundays, July 10 and 17, 2022; 3:30-5:30 pm ET (USA) World Clock Converter
Total CE Credit: 4
RACE Category: 4 hours Non-Medical


Enrollment is closed.  

Tuition: Member $92 ($83 early bird special if enrolled by June 17, 2022)
Non-Member $169 ($104 early bird special if enrolled by June 17, 2022)
Prices are listed in US dollars.


Course Information:
This presentation will explore the reasons for starting an exotic pet practice or adding an exotic component to an existing practice. Whether or not one pursues this journey to completion depends on some soul searching and critical background preparation. There are drugs and various types of equipment unique to exotic pet practice in addition to essential whole hospital staff training. Only after careful preparation, whole hospital commitment to excellence in exotic pet care, staff training and compensation, equipment and drug purchases, etc. should the practice open the door to patients. Internal marketing (in existing practices) and target marketing strategies are essential, along with ways to monitor success and say “thank you” to practice promoters.


Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, the participant should be able to
  • have a better understanding of their motivations to develop an exotic practice.
  • determine if exotic animal practice is right for you and the practice where you work.
  • determine if a stand-alone exotic pet practice can work for you.
  • develop a plan for attaining the skills needed for successful exotic practice.
  • establish a veterinary care team.
  • develop services offered to clients and their pets.
  • develop a facility design or use existing layout for incorporation for exotics.
  • develop a list of needed/nice to have equipment.
  • have a blueprint for successful practice marketing.
  • understand the concept of Veterinary Team Care.
  • have a realistic expectation of financial, emotional and professional success.


Level and Prerequisites: This basic VIN CE course is open for enrollment to veterinarians actively interested in setting up or expanding/enhancing an exotic pet practice. Veterinary staff may enroll provided they are associated with an enrolled veterinarian. Veterinary staff need to provide the name of their veterinarian in the comment section during the enrollment process.
Accreditation: This course is approved for 4 hours of continuing education credit by RACE for veterinarians and veterinary technicians/technologists. (RACE 20-914556) This course is approved by VHMA for CVPM credit. (VHMA 16-28)


Course Agenda:

Week 1 (Real Time Session July 10, 2022): Why, How, Who and What
This first session will explore the pros and cons of exotic pet practice. It considers practitioner motivation, commitment, unique requirements, CE, staff training and the focus on revenue development.

Week 2 (Real Time Session July 17, 2022): The Place, the Stuff, Bragging Rights, the Maestro Effect, and Payday!
The second session of this course focuses developing the physical plant of the practice, detailing the special needs for particular species. It reviews some unique equipment and drug requirements. Written protocol development and marketing techniques are reviewed, including the use of social media and its impact on the business side of practice.


Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course. To learn more about the requirements for earning a CE certificate, please refer to Receiving Your CE Credit and Course Completion Certificate.

Course Materials: Course materials will be available in the course library prior to each Real Time Session.
Required Textbook(s): There is no required textbook for this course.


Enrollment is closed.  

Tuition: Member $92 ($83 early bird special if enrolled by June 17, 2022)
Non-Member $169 ($104 early bird special if enrolled by June 17, 2022)
Prices are listed in US dollars.


*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on July 8, 2022 at 5 pm ET (USA) or when the maximum number of participants is reached.

*For more information on how online CE works, see the Participant Resource Center.


Enrollment qualifications:
  1. VIN CE Courses:
    1. VIN CE courses are open to VIN member, VIN student member, and non-member veterinarians.
    2. Veterinary support staff must be VSPN members in order to enroll in a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
  2. VSPN CE Courses:
    1. VSPN CE courses are open to veterinary support staff and veterinarians.
    2. Only VIN and VSPN members can enroll in a VSPN CE course.
    3. Veterinarians will only receive credit for those VSPN CE courses that specify in the Accreditation statement that the course is accredited for veterinarians.
  3. Please check the course Level and Prerequisites, Accreditation, and Tuition before enrolling.
  4. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses.
    1. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
  5. For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext. 797 or email . Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.


Course withdrawal and refund policy: A complete refund of the paid course price will be issued when your withdrawal request is received prior to the listed start date of the course. If you wish to withdraw after the start date please contact the VIN office 800-846-0028 ext. 797 to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.

*For more information on VIN's upcoming CE courses, check the VIN Course Catalog.

Katherine James, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM)
VIN Education Director

VIN CE Services:
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 797
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01 45 222 6154
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from Australia: 02 6145 2357