PetPartners owner and Chairman of the Board John Spurling, O.B.E., first developed pet healthcare insurance exclusively for the Kennel Club of Great Britain into one of the leading pet insurance innovators. Later, he launched PetPartners in the United Kingdom and then, in 2002 in the United States. Spurling has now provided more than a generation of pet owners on both sides of the Atlantic with reliable insurance products, designed to meet the healthcare needs of their pets.

The concept of pet insurance has gained momentum in the past few years. Advances in veterinary diagnostic and treatment options have increased the quality of care available to pet owners. However, as expert care costs continue to rise, PetPartners is there to provide healthcare plans that serve as a bridge between treatment costs and affordability.

In the decade since PetPartners was first established in the U.S., the company has successfully expanded into several affinity brand markets.

• In 2003, PetPartners became the exclusive provider of pet health insurance protection to registrants of the American Kennel Club through the AKC Pet Healthcare Plans.
• In 2004, they were selected by the Cat Fanciers’ Association, the largest registry of pedigreed cats, to provide insurance to CFA registrants through the CFA Pet Healthcare Plans. That same year, individual state Farm Bureau Federation organizations began adding PetPartners to their menu of member benefit choices.
• In 2009, the company began to offer its new PetPartners-branded products both to individuals and groups, such as associations, companies and credit unions.
• In 2010, PetPartners was invited to join the prestigious North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA), a group of proactive companies dedicated to advocating for the highest industry standards in pet insurance products and services.
• Coming next month, PetPartners will be announcing exciting, new affinity partnerships in the pet products and services industry.

Today, the PetPartners brand represents an impressive blend of insurance experience and veterinary expertise, while offering its customers unsurpassed pet health coverage at competitive prices, along with friendly and caring service and quick claims processing. Several of the company’s claims team members are also registered veterinary technicians.

“We are pleased to offer a variety of plans that enable pet owners to insure the health of their dog or cat just as they would any other family member,” remarks Steve Popovich, President and CEO of PetPartners. “We are excited and serious about partnering with pet parents and affinity groups to keep their pet ‘kids’ happy and healthy.”
PetPartners’ policies are underwritten by Markel Insurance Co. of Richmond, VA, one of the 50 largest insurance companies in the United States.

For more information on PetPartners, Inc. plans and programs visit:
www.petpartners.net
www.akcpethealthcare.com
www.cfapetinsurance.com
www.fbphp.com

Heartworm disease is not central to one area in the United States; it’s been reported in all 50 states. At one point in time, people who lived in states like Oregon, California, Arizona and desert areas believed that their pets were not prone to this disease. But it was later discovered that due to irrigation and building, mosquitoes were able to survive in these areas.

Once a dog is bitten, what happens next?
It generally takes about 7 months for the heartworm larvae to mature into adult heartworms. Once they have matured, the heartworms will lodge in the heart, lungs and surrounding blood vessels and are able to reproduce. The heartworms can mature to be 12 inches in length and can live for 5 to 7 years. Dogs can have up to 250 worms in their system.

How can I tell if my dog has heartworms?
Typically in the beginning stages of heartworm disease, your dog will not display any symptoms. There are no visible or detectable signs during the initial stages. Blood tests during the early stages have failed to detect them as well. It is not until the larva matures, that symptoms start to show. These include coughing and wheezing, change in activity level, loss of appetite or weight loss, jaundice, loss of consciousness or collapse or in some cases unfortunate death.

What steps can you take to ensure your pet stays heartworm free?
First and foremost, your dog should be on some type of preventative medication. It’s always best to speak with your veterinarian when trying to determine the best preventative treatment for your dog. There are several different methods on the market ranging from pills to topical treatments.

This summer make sure to keep your pet safe with a heartworm preventative treatment. Heartworm disease is preventable and treatable, if caught and treated in time. Heartworm prevention and an annual test are eligible for coverage under the AKC Healthcare Plan Wellness and Wellness Plus Plans. Plan ahead and protect your pet against Heartworm disease and other unexpected illnesses and accidents. For more information, visit www.akcpethealthcareplan.com or call toll free at 1.866.725.2747. You will be glad you did.

The above is a small sampling of claims from May.  We hope this better helps our customers understand what types of high dollar claims we see in a given month.

To help cover the costs of your pet’s illness, accident and preventative treatments, the AKC Pet Healthcare Plan offers several options.  One of our most popular plans are the Essential and Essential Plus Plans, they cover unexpected illnesses, accidents and injuries. If you would like more information on our plans please call 1-866-725-2747 or visit www.AKCPetHealthcare.com

Please note:  the above claims were paid in accordance of our terms and conditions. The above mentioning of certain conditions and diagnosis does not guarantee coverage. All claims are subject to underwriting guidelines and the terms and conditions of each individual policy.

In May of 2010, my rescued Shetland Sheepdog was taken to the vet’s to be euthanized by her original owner. She had been overfed, and weighed a whopping 64 lbs. She had teeth problems, was heartworm positive, and could hardly walk. The vet refused, and surrendered her to Austin Sheltie Rescue. She was taken into foster by, to what is affectionately called the Smith Weight Loss Ranch. Because she was so heavy, it took almost a year of a strict diet and exercise to get her to the point to receive the heartworm treatment. She thrived under their care, and 14 months later was ready to be adopted.

I contacted Austin Sheltie Rescue in July, 2011, looking for a dog to replace my sheltie of 11 years, who was put to sleep in May of that year. Although I had chosen another dog on their website, when they brought Daisy for the home interview as an ambassador, it was love at first sight. Three weeks later, Daisy came to her fur-ever home.

I continued Daisy on a grain-free and green bean diet, and walked her regularly. She continued to lose weight, and now is 34 lbs, half the size she was when surrendered- instead of put to death.

In December, 2011, Daisy qualified as a service dog for me. I have bipolar disorder and Daisy reminds me to take my medications daily. I often suffer from terrible depression, she is key in getting me outside and exercising.  Daisy is a social and friendly girl and as a result, I’m meeting new people. She is my reason to get out of bed each day. My depression has lessened and I have lost 20 lbs. since adopting her.

In January, 2012, Daisy’s story was featured on CNN in a story about obese pets. She is a true star…and continues to shine as she is an inspiration to all rescues who get a second chance at life. I don’t know what I would do without her. She found a home where she is needed as much as she is wanted.

Mr. Tyson
Urbin Gonzalez

Mr. Tyson, is a 5 year old typical English bulldog.  He tends to sleep a lot and loves his food. When he was 6 months old I taught Mr. Tyson how to skateboard. Skateboarding is now his passion. He knows that his skateboard is kept in the trunk of my car. Everytime we go outside he sits by the trunk waiting for his skateboard. He rides daily and seems to love it!

Lance
By Evelyn Jaffe
Lance has received many hugs from children and adults, at the many sites we visit, which include public libraries, special education classes for children, senior centers and assisted/ skilled nursing facilities. Most recently, we visited the skilled nursing facility (SNF) of a local “retirement center”. One of the new residents with severe dementia, who has been uncommunicative the past several weeks, became very animated when Lance visited the other day. She kept exclaiming, “What a beautiful dog!” Then she leaned over from her wheel chair and hugged and kissed Lance, saying with much joy how much she loved Lance and please bring him again. The staff was simply amazed at the patient’s recreation to Lance that day.

At the special education program of our local community college for students from 18-22 years of age, one of the students was deathly afraid of dogs. When we first started visiting this class, he not only shied away from any contact with Lance, but he appeared visibly upset and jumped out of his seat to get away. After three sessions of Lance’s visits to this classroom, this young man tentatively touched Lance on his back with my help. He was surprised that Lance did not even move. Now, after six weeks of visiting once a week, this student lights up when we come into the room and he spontaneously asks to take Lance for a walk around the room. He also tells Lance to sit while he, the student, puts a dog cookie on Lance’s nose, tells Lance to “wait”, then releases Lance with a loud “okay”. The last time we visited, this student was so excited to see Lance that he got up to hug Lance around the neck and put his own face close to Lance. Something he never could have done at the start of the semester. As a result of our visits, his teachers have told me that this student has been more verbal and participates more in class. It’s amazing to see the impact Lance has in each of the lives he touches.