The Season of Thanks-Giving
Thanksgiving is known more than just a day we sit down with our family and friends to eat turkey and watch some football. It is also a season to reflect and to be thankful for the things you have and for what you have achieved. This year it also coincided with the 1-year anniversary from my leap in becoming a business owner, officially beginning my dream as ‘TheK9PT’, an endeavor that has led me into an incredible journey of achieving goals I never thought possible for me. It has been a journey marked my numerous ups and downs, tremendous personal and professional growth moments, and countless frustrations and achievements. This year I am thankful for…
… my wife and our boys Ringo and Lt Dan. Life is not perfect, but with you all, it gets as close to it as possible. THANKS
… my parents, my sister, and the rest of my family. You have supported me throughout this journey, and none of this would have been accomplished without that support. THANKS
… my second family, the SSPT family and our “patriarch” Greg Todd. The popular saying is that you are a sum of the people you most surround yourself with, and because of all of you, I feel like a million dollars! THANKS!
… my coaches Greg Todd and Paul Gough, their respective mastermind groups, and many other folks who I have learned a tremendous amount from over the last year. The personal growth I achieved over this year was more than I had achieved the previous 32 years of my life combined. THANKS!
… my clients who have given me the privilege to help their pups, and allowed me everyday to do the thing that I love the most, helping dogs feel better and improve their quality of life. THANKS!
… my patients, who get so excited when they see me arriving and shower me with sloppy kisses. You are the reason I push myself everyday to get better at what I do. THANKS!
… my business partners (veterinarians, physical therapists, dog trainers, pet businesses, and pet lovers) who have trusted my work to their clients and friends. Your support does not go unnoticed. THANKS!
… those who have helped me with different tasks and jobs along the way. The more you help me, the more I can focus on growing TheK9PT so we can help more pups. THANKS!
… the dog rescue community in Chicago who continues to work diligently to make this great city a no-kill place, helping pets and their people through a variety of programs and initiatives. THANKS!
… One Tail at a Time and it’s group of volunteers and adopters. The work that you all do is amazing, and the passion that you have for it is inspiring. Being able to partner and help OTAT has been one of the best accomplishments TheK9PT has granted me. THANKS!
… the community of canine physical therapists in the United States and across the globe who has been fighting for changes in legislation that will allow access to qualified canine physical therapists to every pet parent. Changes are slow and frustrating at times, but we must be the voice for our patients. Keep up the fight and THANKS!
… my online community of physical therapists and students interested in canine rehabilitation. Helping some of you finally take the leap to start working towards your passion has been one of my greatest achievements. You push me everyday to lead the way so more of you can follow my path, and coaching you through that process has been a blessing. THANKS!
And lastly, but certainly not least, myself. None of this would have been possible without those mentioned above, but I have learned along the way that throughout all those years there was only one person holding me back from achieving my goals: MYSELF. Look deep down in the mirror, and you will find the person who is holding yourself back as well.
~TheK9PT
Dr. Francisco Maia, PT, DPT, CCRT