From the moment you learn their names, it is obvious that Shawna Oliver loves her two Bengal cats. One is dubbed Prince Caspian von Julius Dancing to the Mango Song, the second Sir Beaker Bunsen Wakka Wakka. But like so many pet parents, Oliver is all too aware that getting these family members an appointment with a vet can take as long as six weeks — though she was in a position to change that.
Oliver is the AVP and head of global benefits and wellness at financial services firm Manulife, and she knew that other pet-owning colleagues had also struggled to find veterinary care in recent years.
"People were running into emergency facilities for what might be basic treatment," she says. "When our furry friend isn't acting normal, we wonder right away what's going on."
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Nearly 70% of Americans own a pet, and 35% own more than one, according to a recent survey from Pew Research. Nearly 80% of current pet owners bought or adopted their animal during the pandemic, according to Forbes Advisor, causing an enormous spike in the demand for veterinary care. Unfortunately, the supply is nowhere near the demand — the U.S. is expected to need an additional 41,000 veterinarians by 2030, according to Mars Veterinary Health — and
When Oliver learned about virtual vet platform Airvet, which provides
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"The average pet owner goes to the vet three times a year per pet, and 80% of visits happen during the work week, which means people are taking half a day to a day off of work," he says. "We can give back in
Concern over consistent care, as well as how return-to-office policies are impacting their animals, is a top concern for employees today. One third of pet owners say access and affordability impacts regular vet visits, and 63% of workers said that additional pet benefits would increase their likelihood of staying with their company for the next year, according to a recent Airvet survey. In addition to basic and emergency vet care, the company also provides training on how to prepare owners and their pets for the separation that comes with
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"My two Bengals are notorious for fighting with each other," Oliver shares as an example of how she personally utilizes Airvet. "Sometimes it's just boys being boys, but sometimes it can be a medical condition. Finding a partner like Airvet that offers 24/7 access, where they can look at my pet and talk to me and ease my and my family's anxiety at no cost just seems like not only an amazing benefit, but a signal to our colleagues that we [understand] family comes in different shapes and sizes."
To ensure word got out about the Airvet benefit, Manulife invited Airvet to attend their open enrollment events in Boston and Toronto this year. Attendance was at an all-time high, and lines to speak with the vendor were around the corner, Oliver says. Employees shared stories and pictures of their pets, and five percent of the employee population enrolled immediately.
"It's a great example of understanding you don't necessarily need to do grand things," says Oliver. "Sometimes it's thoughts that say, 'What are our employees really facing at home, and what's one thing we can do to make their life easier?' This impacts physical, financial and mental well-being, and makes our colleagues smile. That's invaluable, and we're really grateful for that."
