When employers invest in pet care, they’re not just helping animals, they’re supporting the health and well-being of their employees. Research shows that pets have a powerful impact on human health: pet owners visit the doctor less often, saving an estimated $15 billion annually in healthcare costs. Pets don’t just impact our physical health. 86% of pet parents say their pets have a positive impact on their mental health.
But with that deep connection comes real responsibility, and real costs. Nearly 40% of pet parents cut back on their own spending to afford pet care, and only 1 in 5 Americans could cover an unexpected vet bill. At the same time, the emotional and financial toll of caring for a pet without adequate support can undermine your team’s well-being and productivity.
Comprehensive pet benefits go far beyond insurance, offering holistic support for every type of pet, at every stage of life. When you’re considering pet benefits, here are the four most important features to look for when evaluating pet benefits for your team.
When considering pet benefits, one of the first capabilities you should be looking for is access to pet telehealth. Whether it’s a quick hour-long trip to and from the local clinic or a full day trip for an urgent issue, the majority of employees are taking time out of their work day to get in-person care for their pets. Having a pet benefit that includes telehealth means they have quick, easy access to veterinarians without having to go to the vet, take time off work, or stress about the cost.
At Airvet, 70% of our visits are solved virtually avoiding an in-person visit which is important as over half of Airvet’s calls & chats occur during the work da
Virtual care also allows pet parents to get answers to questions they may have forgotten to ask when visiting their veterinarian, or that they wouldn’t pay for a separate visit for. At Airvet, we offer connections to vet specialists in behavior, nutrition, and more to help pet parents go beyond reactive care and invest in their pet’s whole health, without the added cost of a separate speciality visit.
Something else you should be on the lookout for when evaluating pet benefits for your workforce is if they offer free or discounted access to speciality care. Speciality care can include access to pet nutritionists, behavioralists, and palliative care specialists. Usually, these specialists are hard to reach without a recommendation from a primary care veterinarian so finding a comprehensive care platform that can connect pet parents proactively with specialists can help pet parents get ahead.
A comprehensive pet benefits platform should make it easy for employees to get connected with these specialists. That’s why Airvet offers specialty visits in nutrition, behavior, life stage care, and more at no additional cost to employees.
When pet parents can proactively access expert care, they’re more likely to address issues early, avoid emergency visits, and make informed, confident decisions. That’s not just good for pets, it’s a major win for employee peace of mind and financial wellness.
Treating a disease or problem once it has become more advanced can become more expensive for the pet parent and more dangerous for the pet. With regular speciality care, early diagnosis and treatment of developing problems or diseases can increase the likelihood of pets living longer, healthier lives.
When it comes to pet benefits, reactive care is not enough to help support pet parents in today’s world. Just like in humans, investing in preventive care is critical to reducing long-term healthcare costs. Because pets support our mental and physical well-being, the more we invest in our pets health the more we invest in human health.
Preventive care helps pets live longer, healthier lives. It reduces emergency visits and catches issues early, when treatment is easier and less costly. Incorporating pet benefits that go beyond reactive care can have a lifelong positive impact in both the health of the pet and their parent.
Telemedicine for our pets addresses potential barriers to seeking veterinary care, such as travel, time constraints, or cost. It enhances accessibility, making quality healthcare more attainable for pets and their parents. While some states still restrict prescription visits, pet benefit vendors can work with state regulations, veterinarians, and operation teams to provide this service wherever possible, as soon as possible.
Common issues Airvet can help pet parents manage with a digital RX include:
Being able to save the time and cost associated with veterinary visits on routine prescriptions like those mentioned above ensures pet parents can save those care dollars for when they really matter, whether it’s a future emergency or an additional primary care visit.
Supporting pet parents is an investment in your workforce’s overall well-being. From reducing stress and healthcare costs to boosting engagement and retention, pet benefits have a measurable impact on human health, financial stability, and workplace satisfaction.
But not all pet benefits are created equal. As you evaluate your options, prioritize platforms that go beyond basic care to deliver value across telehealth, specialty care, wellness plans, and telemedicine. These features empower your employees to care for their pets with confidence, and without sacrificing their time, health, income, or peace of mind.
