Pets Best Insurance is located in Boise, Idaho, and was founded by Jack Stephens, DVM, who also founded the pet insurance industry in the United States.

In 1981 Jack had to put a dog down because the dog's owner couldn't afford treatment. Shortly after, the owner and her child saw him in a local store. When the woman asked her child if she remembered Dr. Stephens, she said, “Yes, he's the one who killed our dog.”

Determined to stop “economic euthanasia” for pets, Jack founded the first U.S. pet insurance company the following year.

Pets Best was formed after a quarter-century of experience.

After twenty-five years of experience in the pet insurance industry, Jack decided to take what he had learned and use it to form Pets Best. Jack contacted Greg McDonald, one of the founders of General Fire and Casualty, and together Jack and Greg founded Pets Best in October of 2005. The company quickly upped the standard of pet insurance care throughout the nation and the industry.

What makes us different?

Most of the employees of Pets Best were recruited directly from the Veterinary trade. Nearly all of us have been involved in animal rescues. We're pet owners and pet lovers, too.

We understand the pain of having to put your pet down. We never want that to happen simply because you don't have any help to pay the bill. And from the stories we hear , when it comes to claims we know that there are pets who are alive and happy today because their owners had the financial resources to continue treatment. We want that for you, too.

Pets Best is proud to be a member of NAPHIA, the North American Pet Health Insurance Association dedicated to educating and promoting the values and benefits of pet health insurance. Members of NAPHIA work collaboratively toward establishing and promoting the highest professional and ethical standards in the industry with an emphasis on creating a better quality of life for people and their pets.

Mission Statement

At Pets Best we strive to help pet owners achieve financial security and protect the health of their pets by providing quality insurance coverage, prompt claim payment, and unsurpassed service both before and after the sale.

Our Team

Jack Stephens – Founder and President

Meet the Founder
A Leader of Pet Insurance in the US

Dr. Jack Stephens is the founder of pet insurance in the United States and most recently of Pets Best Insurance. A former practicing veterinarian, Stephens is a pet enthusiast who shares his home with multiple dogs, two cats and several horses. Jack's driving passion to increase the quality of pet care encouraged him to found Pets Best.

Jack has written and published numerous articles about pet health insurance, was a contributing author for a leading veterinary trade magazine, and is a vocal advocate for the positive effects pets have on our lives.

For all things pet related, Jack is the guru people turn to. If he doesn't know the answer, he personally knows the person who does. His leadership and experience make him our very own Captain Jack.

Torrey - Customer Care Advocate

As the Pets Best Customer Care Advocate, Torrey, Dr. Stephens' one-and-a-half pound tea-cup Chihuahua, works on your behalf to remind us all on a daily basis why we're here: for the pets! Torrey accepts e-mail questions at Torrey@petsbest.com. Of course, the human staff must answer the questions, but Torrey is in the office every day when she is not traveling with Dr. Stephens as an ambassador for Pets Best. Though small, she has the heart of a lion and fiercely protects her policyholders. Torrey is a one-in-a-million girl!

Greg McDonald – Chief Executive Officer

With nearly 35 years of experience in the insurance industry, Greg brings a wealth of knowledge to Pets Best. A graduate of University of Idaho, Greg served as an officer in the U.S. Navy before beginning his insurance career in Denver and eventually moving to Boise.

As the co-founder of General Fire & Casualty Company and the founder of InsurServ, Greg brings his experience and passion to Pets Best and has been a major force in Pets Best's quick success.

Greg's upbeat personality and unparalleled energy level keep us excited about what's happening next for Pets Best.

Jared Hight – Claims & Compliance Director

Jared HightJared comes to us after having spent over a decade in veterinary nursing and hospital administration. Born in Ontario and raised outside of Seattle, he made his way to Boise in 1999 and has been with Pets Best since before we officially launched in 2005. A Boise State graduate, Jared spends his time focused on designing, implementing and always improving the claims processing procedures as well as ensuring that Pets Best is complying with all state and federal laws.

When he isn't at work making sure that our policyholders are having their claims processed in the quickest and most efficient manner possible, he is spending time with his three dogs, three cats, wife and new baby son.

Paul Crane - Technology Manager

Paul Crane Paul poured concrete to put himself through college, which may be a clue to why he's so devoted to making sure our technology is rock solid.

He earned a BBS in Computer Information Systems from Idaho State University and worked as a programmer/business analyst for 5 years before becoming the Technology Manager at Pets Best. Here, he works hard to ensure the continued functionality of the Pets Best website as well as our internal systems.

When he isn't caring for our technology, he cares for his small family, including his wife and two sons (one son is human, the other is canine). Somehow, he also carves out time to run marathons, play softball and strike fear in the hearts of his fantasy football opponents.

Donna Cejalvo - Director of Partner Programs

DonnaDonna is a native of Vancouver, BC where she earned a Marketing degree from Simon Fraser University. After moving to the Treasure Valley, she sought a position that she truly loves. As the Director of Partner Programs, Donna works closely with veterinary hospitals, insurance agents and other marketing partners to help pet owners understand the value and benefits of pet insurance.

She is the proud owner of an American Pit Bull Terrier (Piper) and English Pointer mix (Dodger), the both of whom are cuddly clowns and bring constant warmth and laughs to her and her husband Gary. In the summer you can find Donna, Gary, and their two clowns on their boat enjoying the summer sun and clear waters. If not on the water, the golf course on which they reside is always available for them to engage in hooking or slicing a few golf balls into one of the houses, including their own!

Robin Tam - Customer Care Manager

Robbin Ask Robin why she loves her job and she'll say "I'm very compassionate about people and even more passionate about animals." Her compassion has really motivated her career, from earning an Associate Degree in Sociology through more than 20 years in the health insurance/management field. "To be able to combine my prior health insurance experience with my love of animals is truly a blessing," she adds.

This busy mom of four kids and grandmother of two even finds the time to take care of two cats - Fat Cat, a long-hair Siamese/Persian and Tigger, a Tabby - and two dogs - Cisco, a collie/border collie mix and Sammy, a Cairn terrier. Together with her husband, Ron, she spends weekends and vacations fishing, camping and traveling. Incredibly, she has visited all 50 states!

Lonnie Johnston – Sales Manager

LonnieLonnie spent nearly 20 years in the health, property and casualty insurance business before joining the Pets Best team. As Sales Manager, he calls upon much of his past professional experience while overseeing a team of highly skilled, licensed, in-house agents whose goal is to make the process of beginning a new policy as informative and comfortable as possible. His best pal, Lucky the Beagle, often assists in the quoting process from the comfort of a pet bed under Lonnie’s desk.

When he’s away from work, you’ll probably find Lonnie at his favorite place—home, with his wife and two daughters—or, if he can find the free time, calling “Fore!” out on the links, camping in the Idaho wilderness, or sprawled out on the couch, eyes affixed to a Lakers game or one of the many Blu-Ray action movies in his collection. (Old Schwarzenegger flicks are his favorite.)

Skeeter - Former Chairman, Pet Relations

No other pet we know of has held an honorary Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, but Skeeter did! Recognized for his powerful presence and inspiration for a commencement speech given by Dr. Stephens in 1999 at the University of Missouri Veterinary School, he received his honorary DVM degree. Skeeter was also the inspiration for the Skeeter Foundation, an organization that works to bring therapy pets to hospitals and nursing homes.

Sadly, he passed away in October 2008.

Skeeter had been an honorary board member of the Western Veterinary Conference, the largest veterinary conference in the world and is responsible for breaking the no-pet barrier at veterinary conferences back in the 1980s. He participated in numerous speeches, both at conferences and universities, and at two veterinary graduations where he sat patiently on stage in his own cap and gown.

Hugged by movie stars and children alike, Skeeter has inspired and funded research on the positive effect pets have on our health, and has been recognized by having his photo hung in the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, in their hallway of stars.

At Pets Best we are committed to providing you the best pet insurance in America, designed to meet the needs of your pet's medical care as well as your budget.

Pets Best Insurance is located in Boise, Idaho, and was founded by Jack Stephens, DVM, who holds more than 25 years of experience in the pet insurance industry.




Copyright© 2005-2010 Pets Best Insurance Services