From the moment you learn their names, you can tell that Shauna Oliver loves her two Bengal cats. One is Prince Caspian von Julius dancing to the Mango Song, and the second is named Lord Beaker Bunsen Wakka Wakka. But like many pet parents, Oliver is well aware that it will take her six weeks to get her family to see a veterinarian. However, she was in a position to change that.
Oliver, AVP and head of global benefits and wellness at financial services company Manulife, said other colleagues who own pets have also struggled to find veterinary care in recent years. I knew.
“People were rushing to emergency facilities for basic treatment,” she said. “When our furry friends don’t act normally, we immediately wonder what’s going on.”
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According to a recent Pew Research survey, nearly 70% of Americans own a pet, and 35% own more than one pet. Nearly 80% of current pet owners purchased or adopted an animal during the pandemic, and demand for veterinary care has skyrocketed, according to Forbes Advisor. Unfortunately, supply is far from meeting demand, with the United States expected to face a shortage of 40,000 veterinarians by 2030.
When Oliver learned about virtual veterinary platform Airvet;
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“The average pet owner visits the vet three times per year per pet, and 80% of those visits occur during the workday, meaning people miss half a day to a full day of work. “That’s the case,” he says. “We can give back
Concerns about how consistent care and return-to-office policies will impact animals are top concerns for today’s employees. According to a recent Airvet survey, one-third of pet owners say veterinary hospital access and affordability affects their ability to see their veterinarian regularly, and 63% of employees say They said additional pet benefits would make them more likely to stay with their company for the next year. In addition to basic veterinary care and emergency veterinary care, the company also provides training on how to prepare for the separation that comes with pet owners and their pets.
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“My two Bengals are notorious for fighting,” Oliver says, giving an example of how he personally uses Airvet. “Sometimes it’s just a boy being a boy, but sometimes it’s a medical condition. When you find a partner like Airvet that offers 24/7 access, you can watch my pet for free. You can talk to me and ease my anxiety and that of my family, which is not only an amazing benefit, but also seems like a signal to my colleagues. [understand] Families come in all shapes and sizes. ”
To ensure that information about Airvet’s benefits gets out the door, Manulife has invited Airvet to public recruitment events in Boston and Toronto this year. Attendance was at an all-time high, Oliver said, and the lines to speak to vendors were long. Employees shared stories and photos of their pets, and his 5% of employees quickly registered.
“This is a great example of understanding that you don’t necessarily have to do something grand,” Oliver says. “Sometimes the thought comes to mind, ‘What are our employees actually facing at home and what can we do to make their lives easier?’ It impacts their physical and mental health and puts a smile on their faces. This is invaluable and we are truly grateful for that.”