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
Pets Best provides peace of mind and financial relief for owners of pets who need veterinary care. We
are always accessible to our policyholders. We endorse innovation and insight into modern veterinary
care.
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 Service Advocate
As the Pets Best Customer Service 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.
|
Skeeter - Chairman Pet Relations
No other pet we know of holds an honorary Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, but Skeeter does! 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 is also the inspiration for the Skeeter Foundation, an organization that works to bring therapy pets to hospitals and nursing homes.
Skeeter has 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 has 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.
Now 16 years of age, these should be his golden retirement years. But, like Torrey, he still comes to the office every day with our founder. He has more to accomplish for pets and staff morale.
|
Brett Johnson – Chief Operating Officer
Brett's background in IT management and Internet marketing strategy helps him oversee the company's
technology projects and Internet marketing initiatives. As Chief Operations Officer, Brett also oversees
daily operations and customer service to continuously meet and exceed customer expectations.
Brett holds a Bachelor of Science in business information systems from Utah State University and a Master
of Science degree in electronic commerce from Carnegie Mellon University.
Along with the help of his uber-talented staff, Brett keeps Pets Best and PetsBest.com running smoothly.
|
Lance Olsen – Director of Development
Direct: 208-472-9635
Lance has 14 years of experience in sales and marketing and is a licensed property & casualty agent.
Lance’s experience and personal skills are central to ongoing daily operations at Pets Best. His primary
job function is to build and maintain relationships and be an advocate for national pet related organizations.
Before Pets Best, Lance worked in the pet insurance industry as a business system analyst. He says that
in his spare time he enjoys a good round of golf, grilling and picnicking with his family in the great
Idaho outdoors.
|
Jennifer Jones – Veterinary Services Manager
Direct: 208-472-5835
Do you love your veterinarian? We do! Jennifer and her team help show the love to veterinarians nationwide
by managing all areas of Pets Best as they relate to veterinarians. She coordinates industry tradeshows,
keeps vets informed on Pets Best policies, and enrolls veterinary staff pets. Trained in both business
and insurance, Jennifer's passion for quality pet care is evident to all who meet her.
|
Steve Gardner – Sales & Marketing Associate
Direct: 208-830-7036
As a sales and marketing associate, Steve works with people across the nation providing informational
Webinars and partnership opportunities for veterinary hospital staff and other pet-loving organizations.
Steve graduated from Boise State University with a degree in marketing and brings extensive retail sales
and management experience to his position at Pets Best. He says he enjoys working in his yard and garden,
spending time with his wife and four great kids and is known for his creative ideas and award-wining
service.
|
Jared Hight – Claims Manager
Direct: 208-947-3896
Jared Hight manages the claims department at Pets Best and oversees all operations relating to claims.
A Boise State University graduate, Jared spent 10 years in veterinary nursing and hospital administration
before joining Pets Best.
|
Angela Klein – Marketing/ Communications Associate
Direct: 208-947-3896 ext. 313
The self-proclaimed resident English teacher, Angela's background in journalism and marketing helps
her raise awareness of Pets Best online. A graduate of two very small universities, Angela holds a bachelor's
degree in English, because she loves Jane Austen novels, and a teaching credential that helps her know
where to put the comma.
|
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.
|