Obviously I have nowhere near enough experience or knowledge to do this yet. I have a Small Business Management course under my belt so I'm confident about putting together a business plan, now I'm thinking about the experience side of it. I'm thinking of going back to Uni to do a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. These would be the papers I would choose:
Compulsory:
Biochemistry of Cells
Chemistry and Living Systems
Biology of Cells
Essentials of Mammalian Biology
Optional Choices:
Animal Health, Behaviour and Welfare (though I'd also like to do Principles of Animal Production out of interest)
Animal Nutrition
Reproductive and Lactational Physiology
Companion Animal Science
The degree is 3 years and seems to be quite oriented toward farms and industry rather than pets but I think the papers I've chosen are okay. At the same time I'd like to volunteer at an SPCA and/or work at a Dog Day Care to get some practical experience alongside the theoretical. I could do a 2 year Diploma in Vet Nursing but I think that might be going overboard. I'll see what medical stuff is covered in the BSc and then see if I should do something additional. (I'm also planning on starting a Certificate in Basic Animal Care Science in January which covers the basics of animal care, diseases etc.)
All this would involve moving away from where we are for at least 3 years. I'm thinking at the rate our town is growing, by the time I have finished studying, it would be about ripe for a dog day care to work. Currently a lady runs a dog day care out of her home; basically she has a large fenced yard that the dogs hang out in all day and she takes them out for a walk by the river at some point. She charges $20 per day for this service and there are people willing to pay!
Anyway, that beside the point. Apart from what's mentioned above and and a whole lot of reading of the great books recommended here, what sort of learning / experience would I need before it would be appropriate for me to think about going out on my own? I do know it depends on the person, how quickly you learn and just your general ability to be observant etc. but if you guys were to bring your dogs somewhere, what else would you either like or expect? Is what I'm thinking reasonable or would you expect years of full-time experience in addition to a degree or no degree and just years of experience??
All thought are greatly appreciated

