Tee Off to Save Lives: The Petworking Angel Fund Open, in Partnership with the Rescue Spot Foundation
500,000 pets are euthanized annually in the US not because they're sick, but because families can't afford care. That number doesn't even include surrenders.In this episode, Peter welcomes back Nicole Patrick, founder and CEO of Rescue Spot, to introduce our 501c3 partner for the Petworking Angel Fund - The Rescue Spot Foundation. Together, they discuss the heartbreaking reality of economic euthanasia and how we're working to keep families together.🎯 KEY TOPICS:- Economic euthanasia crisis: 500,000+ pets affected annually- Why only 4% of pet owners have insurance- Veterinary costs rising 2-3x faster than inflation- How economic euthanasia contributes to vet burnout & suicide rates- The Rescue Spot Foundation partnership details- Solutions: pet insurance, CareCredit, All Pet Card options⛳ PETWORKING ANGEL FUND OPEN:📅 September 22, 2025📍 Vermont National Country Club (Jack Nicklaus designed)🍂 Peak fall foliage season in Vermont🎯 100% of proceeds support the Angel Fund💰 $250/person or $900/team registration🔗 REGISTER: bit.ly/AngelFundOpen💡 BOTTOM LINE: If you've ever faced an unexpected vet bill and had family help or good credit to get through it, this fund provides that same "angel hand" to families who need it most.🎪 WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE TOURNAMENT:- Adoptable pets on-site- Four-person scramble format (all skill levels welcome)- Lunch, dinner buffet & open bar included- Beautiful Vermont fall weekend getaway opportunityThis isn't about replacing responsible pet ownership or pet insurance - it's about creating a safety net for crisis situations. Because no family should have to choose between financial ruin and losing a beloved pet.👥 SPONSORS ALREADY COMMITTED:Roo, Volition Veterinary, Fera Pet Organics, Heritage Ford🏥 VET CLINICS & SHELTERS: Interested in partnering with the Angel Fund? Reach out - we want to be a resource for you.📢 SHARE THIS: Help spread awareness about economic euthanasia and solutions like pet insurance. Tag someone who needs to hear this message.🎙️ ABOUT PETWORKING:Your source for insights into pet care, animal health, and industry trends. Hosted by Peter Kenseth, VP & Partner at Maia Strategy Group.LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/PetworkingPKNewsletter: https://bit.ly/Petworking
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Darwin's Cats: The Genomic Study That Finally Treats Cats Like Cats
🐱 Why are cats still a "medical black box" in 2025? In this groundbreaking episode, Petworking host and founder, Peter Kenseth, sits down with Dr. Elinor Karlsson (Broad Institute/UMass Medical School) and Dr. Jennifer Radosevich (@Hill's Pet Nutrition) to discuss Darwin's Cats—the first large-scale feline genomic study that's revolutionizing how we understand cat health.In this episode, they explore:Why 60% of cats have never been to a vet (and how that's created a knowledge crisis)The heartbreaking story that sparked a scientific revolutionHow collecting fur (not stressful cheek swabs!) is making cat DNA research possibleHill's development of cat-specific wearables that track jumping (not walking!)The open-source approach that could accelerate feline health breakthroughsWhat Darwin's Cats means for the future of personalized cat nutrition and medicineWith nearly 15,000 cats already enrolled, this initiative represents the most comprehensive effort to understand feline genetics ever undertaken. Learn how your cat can contribute to groundbreaking research that could transform veterinary medicine.🔬 Get Involved: Visit darwinsark.org to enroll your cat (survey is free, genetic testing is $150)📱 Connect with Petworking:LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/PetworkingPKNewsletter: https://bit.ly/Petworking#DarwinsCats #FelineHealth #CatGenetics #PetInnovation #VeterinaryMedicine #CatResearch #Petworking #YearOfTheCat #HillsPetNutrition #BroadInstitute
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Addressing Veterinary Burnout and Economic Euthanasia: Roo's Growth and the Launch of the Petworking Angel Fund
In this episode, we reconnect with Jeffrey Bishop-Hill, SVP of Marketplace at Roo, to discuss the company's remarkable growth and expansion across the veterinary relief marketplace. With 5,000 veterinarians working shifts through their platform last year, Roo is addressing critical staffing shortages while providing flexible work options that help combat veterinary burnout.We explore how the veterinary industry is evolving, including trends in practice consolidation, changing client behaviors, and the ongoing challenges of veterinary staffing. Jeff shares insights into how veterinarians are using relief platforms - from busy moms keeping their licenses active to full-time relief workers finding their perfect practice match.The conversation takes a deeper turn as we discuss one of veterinary medicine's most heartbreaking challenges: economic euthanasia. With 500,000 pets euthanized annually not because they're sick, but because families can't afford treatment, we explore how this crisis contributes to veterinary burnout and affects the entire pet care ecosystem.🚨 BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: Introducing the Petworking Angel Fund!We're launching a new initiative to prevent economic euthanasia by providing funding for treatable medical conditions when families can't afford care. The fund launches with our inaugural charity golf tournament - the Petworking Angel Fund Open on September 22nd, 2025, at Vermont National Country Club in Burlington, Vermont.Key Topics Covered:Roo's expansion to all major US markets by end of 2025How veterinary relief work is evolving beyond traditional modelsThe reality of economic euthanasia affecting 500,000 pets annuallyWhy only 4% pet insurance adoption creates healthcare access issuesHow veterinary burnout connects to impossible financial decisionsLaunching the Petworking Angel Fund to save livesAbout Our Guests:Jeffrey Bishop-Hill is SVP of Marketplace at Roo, the leading platform connecting veterinarians and veterinary technicians with hospitals needing relief staffing.Get Involved:🏌️ Register for the Angel Fund Open: bit.ly/angelfundopen💼 Explore sponsorship opportunities: https://maiastrategy.com/angel-fund-open/#📧 Contact us about Angel Fund partnershipsConnect with Roo:Website: roovet.comCareers: Visit roovet.com and scroll to careers sectionChapters:00:00 - Introduction & Roo's Growth03:41 - Geographic Expansion & New Markets08:19 - Veterinary Staffing Trends & Client Behavior11:35 - How Veterinarians Use Relief Platforms16:22 - Economic Trends in Veterinary Medicine21:29 - Pet Insurance & Preventive Care Crisis24:15 - Economic Euthanasia Statistics26:58 - ANNOUNCING: The Petworking Angel Fund29:22 - Angel Fund Open Golf Tournament Details32:46 - Why This Matters to the Industry36:01 - How to Get Involved#VeterinaryMedicine #PetCare #AnimalWelfare #VeterinaryBurnout #PetInsurance #EconomicEuthanasia #CharityGolfTournament #AngelFund #Roo #PetworkingSupport the Angel Fund and help us save lives - one swing at a time! ⛳🐾
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Early Detection, Better Protection: Nu.Q Aims to Save Dog’s Lives With Accessible Cancer Screening
In this heartfelt episode of Petworking, host Peter Kenseth interviews Dr. Tom Butera, CEO of Volition Veterinary, about their groundbreaking Nu.Q Cancer screening technology. Peter shares his personal experience with his dog Peony's melanoma diagnosis and how early detection saved her life.Dr. Butera, with his impressive background spanning academia, clinical practice, and corporate veterinary medicine, explains how Nu.Q is transforming early cancer detection in pets. This simple blood test can identify cancer biomarkers before symptoms appear, potentially saving millions of canine lives.With approximately 6 million dogs diagnosed with cancer annually in the US alone, this technology represents a paradigm shift in veterinary medicine - moving from treating symptomatic animals to early detection when immune systems are still strong.Learn about:How the Nu.Q test works and which cancers it detects bestWhen your dog should be screened (hint: all senior dogs, and predisposed breeds much earlier)The potential revolution in cancer treatment protocolsHow early detection can dramatically improve survival rates and quality of lifeThis episode offers invaluable information for every dog parent who wants to maximize their time with their beloved companion. Don't miss this important conversation about protecting your pet through early cancer detection!
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Expanding Access to Care: Vetster Sees the Tipping Point for Televet Adoption on the Horizon
🐾 In this episode of Petworking, Peter sits down with Mark Bordo, CEO of Vetster, one of the leading telehealth platforms transforming veterinary care. With 40-50% of dogs not visiting the vet annually and 60% of cats having NEVER been to a veterinarian, the access crisis is real—but telemedicine might be the solution we've been waiting for.What You'll Learn:Why the veterinarian shortage crisis is creating opportunities for televet innovationHow VCPR regulations work and why they matter for pet parentsThe role of wearables and at-home diagnostics in virtual veterinary careWhy Mark believes we're 2-5 years away from mainstream televet adoptionKey Takeaways:✅ Telemedicine serves 20+ animal species, not just dogs and cats✅ Virtual care can catch issues early, preventing expensive emergency visits✅ Flexible scheduling helps veterinarians avoid burnout while expanding access✅ Technology integration (wearables, diagnostics) is making virtual exams more comprehensiveWhether you're a pet parent looking for more accessible care options or a veterinary professional exploring career flexibility, this conversation reveals how telemedicine is reshaping the future of animal healthcare.🎧 Subscribe to Petworking for more insights into the innovations transforming the pet industry!
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