Pets Best Press Releases

Pets Best Insurance, one of the nation’s leading pet health insurance providers, congratulates its first quarter winner in the 2012 My Vet’s the Best contest, Dr. Tom Greek of Yorba Linda, California based Greek & Associates Veterinary Hospital.

Dr. Greek has been selected as the winner of My Vet’s the Best, after receiving a heartfelt nomination from client Liddy Kammer and getting a whopping 533 clicks in an online vote amongst himself and a handful other nominated veterinarians from around the country. Overall, Pets Best Insurance received hundreds of nominations this quarter.

Kammer’s nomination was selected because she said that she thinks of Dr. Greek as both a fine vet and a dear friend.

“He has a passion for all types of animals and wants to offer his high level of care at prices that are affordable to nearly anyone looking out for the well-being of their beloved pet,” Kammer said.

Dr. Greek said he was elated with his win, adding that the $1,000 prize money will allow him to help animals who are most in need of treatment.

“I feel very honored and thankful. This is very exciting. It gives us the opportunity to help animals in need that can’t be helped otherwise,” Dr. Greek said of helping animals when owners don’t have the means to pay, or don’t have pet insurance to help reduce out-of-pocket costs.

“The concern there is, if there is no treatment, the animals are going to be suffering or the owners are going to opt for euthanasia if they can’t afford treatment.”

The pet insurance agency, which launched its first My Vet’s the Best contest in 2011, expanded the contest in 2012 after seeing so much interest. The 2012 contest, which includes even bigger prizes than the year prior, began January 1, 2012 and will end January 1, 2013.

Pets Best Insurance President and Founder Dr. Jack Stephens said the pet insurance agency initially launched the contest to recognize veterinarians across the nation who have gone above and beyond for their clients and their pets.

“The contest also focuses on helping with the costs of veterinary treatment for stray animals or animals whose owners cannot afford to pay for veterinary care because they do not have pet insurance,” Dr. Stephens said of the prize money awarded to the winning veterinarians.

Dr. Greek said he has always been a big fan of pet insurance.

“It gives owners the options to go after treatment and testing that they may have not been able to afford otherwise.”

Pet owners are asked to nominate their vet and share why they think they are the best through a form on the Pets Best Insurance Facebook page and website. Every quarter, an internal panel selects six finalists from all received nominations. The six veterinarians and their client-submitted story will be posted to Facebook for public voting.

The 2012 My Vet’s the Best contest will recognize a total of four winning pet owners and their veterinarians throughout the year.

Each quarter, the pet owner that has the story with the most votes will receive a $200 cash prize and the winning veterinarian will receive $1,000 for the treatment of animals in need, or those that do not have pet insurance. Then, a single grand prize winner will also be selected by Pets Best Insurance at the end of the year. The annual grand prize winner will receive airfare, hotel accommodations and registration for two to the 2013 Western Veterinary Conference—a leading continuing education conference for veterinarians.

Learn more about the pet insurance contest, nomination process and rules.

About Pets Best Insurance

Pet insurance plans offered and administered by Pets Best Insurance are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company, a Delaware Insurance company. Independence American Insurance Company is a member of The IHC Group, an insurance organization composed of Independence Holding Company, a public company traded on the New York Stock Exchange, and its operating subsidiaries. The IHC Group has been providing life, health and stop loss insurance solutions for nearly 30 years. For information on The IHC Group, visit: http://www.ihcgroup.com. In states in which Independence American Insurance Company’s new policy form has not yet received regulatory approval, Aetna Insurance Company of Connecticut will underwrite policies. To determine the underwriter in your state, please call Pets Best at 1-877-738-7237.

For more information, visit Pets Best Insurance at http://www.petsbest.com or phone 877-PetsBest (738-7237). You may also follow them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/petsbestinsurance.

Media Contact:
Jodi Mayo Alessandri
MG Media, LLC
856 US Highway 206
Suite B11
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
908-874-9200 x111

http://www.mgmedia.com

Dr. Jack Stephens, the veterinarian who founded the first US pet insurance company and issued the first pet insurance policy to TV dog Lassie in California in the 1980s looks back on 30 years of helping pet owners afford the best vet care.

The month of April marks the 30th anniversary since Dr. Jack Stephens, who’s considered the “founder” of pet health insurance in North America, issued the first pet insurance policy to esteemed celebrity dog Lassie.

Dr. Stephens said it amazes him to think back on how the US pet insurance industry came to be.

“In 1979 a client and her daughter brought their dog ‘Buffy’ into my practice,” Dr. Stephens said. “Ultimately, the mother decided she couldn’t afford the dog’s treatment and requested euthanasia.”

Dr. Stephens said he complied with a heavy heart. A few weeks later he ran into the mother and her daughter at the local grocery store.

“When her mother asked her daughter if she remembered me, she replied, ‘Yes, you’re the man who killed my dog.’”

Dr. Stephens said this encounter shook him to the core and ultimately resulted in his decision to find a better solution than euthanasia being administered only because of treatment cost. Shortly after, he founded the first US pet insurance company and then issued the famous TV dog with the first pet insurance policy written in the US.

Having founded not one but two pet insurance companies in the past 30 years, Dr. Stephens said his mission when creating Pets Best Insurance in 2005 was to continually improve upon the strides he had already made in the industry and make pet insurance better by paying a flat percentage of veterinary costs.

“When I started Pets Best Insurance, I wanted to make pet insurance even better and more predictable for pet owners than it was. Pets Best Insurance and pet insurance as a whole continue to grow.”

According to Packaged Facts, the pet insurance market in the US is marked for continued strong annual growth.

“In 2009 alone industry revenues reached over $300 million which was up 16% over the year prior in a down economy,” Dr. Stephens said. “This is another indication of how strong our bond is with pets and the need for pet health insurance.”

Packaged Facts predicts the industry in North America alone will reach $881 million by 2014—an annual growth rate of 20%.

Dr. Stephens said the North American market for pet insurance has never before seen so many viable competitors—but with brawny market share, there are two primary things that have and will continue set Pets Best Insurance apart.

“We are both pet focused and devotedly passionate about living up to our name of Pets Best,” Dr. Stephens said.

Dr. Jack Stephens is available for interviews.

About Pets Best Insurance

Pet insurance plans offered and administered by Pets Best Insurance are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company, a Delaware Insurance company. Independence American Insurance Company is a member of The IHC Group, an insurance organization composed of Independence Holding Company, a public company traded on the New York Stock Exchange, and its operating subsidiaries. The IHC Group has been providing life, health and stop loss insurance solutions for nearly 30 years. For information on The IHC Group, visit: http://www.ihcgroup.com. In states in which Independence American Insurance Company’s new policy form has not yet received regulatory approval, Aetna Insurance Company of Connecticut will underwrite policies. To determine the underwriter in your state, please call Pets Best at 1-866-929-3807

For more information, visit Pets Best Insurance at http://www.petsbest.com or phone 877-PetsBest (738-7237). You may also follow them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/petsbestinsurance.

Media Contact:
Jodi Mayo Alessandri
MG Media, LLC
856 US Highway 206
Suite B11
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
908-874-9200 x111

http://www.mgmedia.com

Pets Best Insurance, a leading provider of pet health insurance, announced exciting changes for the company, their policyholders and veterinarians nationwide at WVC in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Boise, ID-April 11, 2012- It was an exciting week for Pets Best Insurance as they capped off participation at the annual Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada by announcing some big company news at an event the pet insurance agency hosted for more than 200 industry professionals, including veterinarians, industry trade journal publishers and editors, and local media.

Pets Best Insurance announced new plan options for pet owners that were not previously available, including annual-based plans, cancer-only coverage, accident-only coverage, specialized feline plans and more deductible and co-pay options in select states.

“We are excited about our new innovative plans and programs. Our customers will have the flexibility to choose the coverage that is right for them, meets the needs of their pets, and allows them to stay within their budget,” states Dr. Jack Stephens, the original founder of pet health insurance in the US and leader of Pets Best Insurance.

A new program exclusively available to veterinarians was also unveiled at the event. The program will offer a straight 10% discount off of pet insurance policies to clients of the referring veterinarians where available.

“We believe the 10% discount will be a great value to pet owners,” Dr. Jack Stephens said. “They will be eligible for the discount after their referring veterinarian has given their pet an exam and clean bill of health. In addition to the discount, they will also receive a reduced waiting period time. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

Lastly, with the overwhelming response and success of the Pets Best Insurance “My Vet’s the Best” contest in 2011, the pet health insurance provider announced the continuance of the contest in 2012 with larger cash prizes and bigger rewards for the winning veterinarians and nominators. The contest asks pet owners to share why they think their vet is the best via the Pets Best Insurance website and Facebook page. Each quarter, a winning vet will be awarded a cash prize of $1000 to help with costs of veterinary treatment for stray animals or animals whose owner cannot afford to pay for veterinary care. The nominating pet owner will receive a cash prize of $200. The public voting and publicity will generate increased visibility for veterinarians everywhere. In January 2013, one grand prizewinner will be chosen from the four quarterly winners.

“We believe it is important to honor the passion of veterinarians across the country who dedicate their lives to providing quality care to their patients. Pet health care should be accessible to all pet owners regardless of their economic situation. This is our way of helping animals whose owners might not be able to afford the best pet health care, while recognizing the outstanding veterinarians who put those patients’ care first,” Dr. Jack Stephens said.

About Pets Best Insurance

Pet Insurance plans offered and administered by Pets Best are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company, a Delaware Insurance company. Independence American Insurance Company is a member of The IHC Group, an insurance organization composed of Independence Holding Company, a public company traded on the New York Stock Exchange, and its operating subsidiaries. The IHC Group has been providing life, health and stop loss insurance solutions for nearly 30 years. For information on The IHC Group, visit: http://www.ihcgroup.com. In states in which Independence American Insurance Company’s new policy form has not yet received regulatory approval, Aetna Insurance Company of Connecticut will underwrite policies. To determine the underwriter in your state, please call Pets Best at 1-866-929-3807

URL: http://www.petsbest.com
Media Contact:
Jodi Mayo Alessandri
MG Media, LLC
856 US Highway 206
Suite B11
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
908-874-9200 x111

http://www.mgmedia.com

Pets Best Insurance, a leading provider of pet health insurance in the US, celebrates National Puppy Day by offering tips to care for new puppies, how to “puppy-proof” a home and puppy training tips to get pet owners off to a good start with their new pet.

Boise, ID-March 23rd is National Puppy Day, a celebration of the joy puppies bring to people’s lives. More importantly it is a day to raise awareness about all the orphaned puppies around the world waiting for a good home. Many of them are pure-breed puppies and young adult dogs who have been orphaned for one reason or another but would make a great addition to any home or family. While many people looking for specific breeds wouldn’t necessarily think of a shelter as their first stop, National Puppy Day encourages everyone to consider adoption first.

When a new puppy comes home, Pets Best Insurance reminds that many of the same precautions taken to baby-proof a house hold true for puppies too. Put all medications, supplements and chemical cleaning supplies out of reach. Be aware of toxic plants like dieffenbachia, azalea, calla lily and philodendron. The trash can is a magnet for dogs, but both the bathroom and kitchen trash contain many hazards. Even everyday furniture can become dangerous around a curious pup; a rocking chair can roll over a tail or paw, and a puppy can get crushed if inside an open recliner or sleep sofa. Make your pet’s safety a priority.

Many seemingly innocuous foods can harm or kill dogs. Grapes and raisins can damage the kidneys; chocolate, onions, alcohol and foods high in fat, sugar, or salt can be toxic. Tobacco and nicotine patches and some gum contain ingredients that are toxic and even fatal to dogs.

A new puppy is a delightful bundle of energy and training can seem a daunting task. Fortunately, puppies respond well to praise and positive reinforcement. In fact, they respond much better than to negative reinforcement. A pat on the head and a treat works better than a rap on the nose every time. A puppy will want to behave better to please its owner and will be happier in the process. It’s important to remember that consistency makes dogs feel safe and secure. Training a puppy takes patience, a plan and consistency, but in the end…happy pet owner and happy obedient pup!

Puppies and children just go together, but some advance preparation is required for that relationship to progress smoothly. First off, before the puppy even comes into the house, ground rules should be set and children need to fully understand them. Puppies need a quiet space away from everything and everyone to feel safe and comfortable, and enlisting children to help set it up is a great way to get them involved. Most importantly, to make sure no one gets hurt, parents should never leave young children and puppies unsupervised.

A happy pet is a healthy pet and that requires regular visits to the local vet. Unfortunately, no pet health insurance company covers preexisting conditions; this is why new pet owners should consider enrolling their pets with pet health insurance as soon as possible. Insuring your pets while they’re still young will help ensure there are no preexisting conditions present, which would be excluded from your policy coverage. Insure that puppy as soon as possible!

With the goal of reducing economic euthanasia and his commitment to the safety, health and well being of all pets, Pets Best Insurance leader, Dr. Jack Stephens, founded the pet health insurance industry in the United States in 1981. In fact, Dr. Stephens presented the first pet insurance policy ever to famous television dog, Lassie. A true industry visionary, Dr. Stephens today leads the Pets Best Insurance team with his passion for quality pet care and his expert veterinary knowledge. The Pets Best Insurance team, in turn, is a group of pet lovers who strive to deliver quality customer service and value.

About Pets Best Insurance

Pet insurance plans offered and administered by Pets Best Insurance are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company, a Delaware Insurance company. Independence American Insurance Company is a member of The IHC Group, an insurance organization composed of Independence Holding Company, a public company traded on the New York Stock Exchange, and its operating subsidiaries. The IHC Group has been providing life, health and stop loss insurance solutions for nearly 30 years. For information on The IHC Group, visit: www.ihcgroup.com. In states in which Independence American Insurance Company’s new policy form has not yet received regulatory approval, Aetna Insurance Company of Connecticut will underwrite policies. To determine the underwriter in your state, please call Pets Best at 1-866-929-3807

For more information, visit Pets Best Insurance at www.petsbest.com or phone 877-PetsBest (738-7237). You may also follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/petsbestinsurance.

Media Contact:
Jodi Mayo Alessandri
MG Media, LLC
856 US Highway 206
Suite B11
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
908-874-9200 x111
www.mgmedia.com

Pet Insurance Provider, Pets Best Insurance, will enhance policyholder benefits, offer broader coverage and more plan choices with new underwriter, Independence American Insurance Company.

Boise, ID- February 14, 2012- Pets Best Insurance, one of the nation’s leading pet insurance providers, announced today that Independence American Insurance Company (IAIC) will become the new underwriter of pet insurance plans offered by Pets Best. IAIC and Pets Best Insurance are formatting plans for filing in all 50 states.

Headquartered in New York City, with offices in Minneapolis, Phoenix and San Francisco, Independence American Insurance Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Independence Corp (NASDAQ:AMIC), and a member of The IHC Group, an insurance organization composed of Independence Holding Company (NYSE:IHC) and its operating subsidiaries. The IHC Group is an organization of insurance carriers, managing general underwriters, third-party administrators and marketing affiliates that has been providing health, life, disability, dental, vision and medical stop-loss insurance solutions to groups and individuals for nearly 30 years. The IHC Group has over $1.3 billion in assets and a financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) from A.M. Best Company, Inc., a widely recognized rating agency that rates insurance companies on their relative financial strength and ability to meet policyholder obligations. Collectively, the companies in The IHC Group provide insurance coverage to more than one million individuals and groups.

“The IHC Group is excited about the opportunity to work with Pets Best Insurance and serve a market niche that is rapidly growing. This diversification moves us into new markets while giving our customers and distribution access to new benefit solutions,” said Jeff Smedsrud, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer of The IHC Group.

With IAIC, Pets Best Insurance plans will remain competitively priced and allow more flexibility to meet customer needs in a variety of ways, including more plan choices, broader coverage and improved benefits for policyholders. Premium rates will be based on experience by breed, pet age and the typical veterinary costs within each policyholder’s local area.

“Current policyholders will continue to experience the same outstanding customer care and industry leading claim processing and reimbursement that they receive now. Going forward, Pets Best Insurance and IAIC will be providing leading edge and innovative products for pet owners who will benefit by doing business with industry leaders,” states Jack Stephens, President and founder of Pets Best Insurance.

“Pets Best is a highly respected organization that is growing quickly. IHC is pleased to be part of an opportunity that partners us with one of the top five companies within this industry,” said Smedsrud.

With the goal of reducing economic euthanasia and his commitment to the safety, health and well being of all pets, Pets Best Insurance leader, Dr. Jack Stephens, founded pet health insurance in the United States in 1981. A true industry visionary, Dr. Stephens today leads the Pets Best Insurance team with his passion for quality pet care and his expert veterinary knowledge. The Pets Best Insurance team, in turn, is a group of pet lovers who strive to deliver quality customer service and value.

For more information, visit Pets Best Insurance at http://www.petsbest.com or phone 877-PetsBest (738-7237). You may also follow them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/petsbestinsurance.

Media Contact:
Jodi Mayo Alessandri
MG Media, LLC
856 US Highway 206
Suite B11
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
908-874-9200 x111

http://www.mgmedia.com

Pets Best Insurance, one of the nation’s leading pet health insurance providers, is proud to congratulate the winner of its quarterly “My Vet’s the Best” contest. For the fourth quarter of 2011, Dr. Kim Livezey of the Animal Health Care Clinic in Arcola, IL has been selected as the best vet after receiving a very touching nomination from client Alisa Mecum.

Boise, ID- February 10, 2012- Alisa Mecum, a long-time pet owner and client of Dr. Kim Livezey, who’s known by clients as “Dr. Kim,” sent in a very moving nomination expressing how Dr. Kim’s care and compassion has not only affected her pets over the years, but Alisa personally, as well.

One day Alisa’s dog Tess accidentally ingested rat poison. The dog was immediately taken to Dr. Kim, who not only treated and saved Tess, but took extra time following up to ensure the dog was okay. A few years after the rat poison incident, Tess contracted Clostridium, a bacterial infection that ultimately resulted in Alisa having to make the difficult decision to euthanize her beloved pet.

“It was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. I was crying, Dr. Kim cried with me. She gave us as much time as we needed with Tess,” recounts Alisa.

A few days later, Alisa was surprised to receive a card in the mail from Dr. Kim, along with Tess’ paw print, a lock of her hair and a poem entitled The Rainbow Bridge- a loving poem of the journey a pet takes after death. Alisa said she’s carried the poem with her ever since and still finds comfort in it.
During high school, Alisa had to “shadow” someone as part of a career project in school. Alisa chose Dr. Kim and observed firsthand what it takes to be a veterinarian. She saw the hard work and dedication required to treat animals and even helped deliver puppies. Over the years, Dr. Kim has taken care of many of Alisa’s pets. And ultimately, her kindness and compassion inspired Alisa to seek a career in the veterinary field.

“The greatest quality I look for in a vet is one who cares about my pet as much as I do. That is Dr. Kim. She has inspired me in many ways.”

For her winning nomination, Dr. Kim will receive $500 from pet health insurance company Pets Best Insurance to help cover the cost of treatment for stray animals or for pets whose owners can’t afford treatment.
“Winning this award completely overwhelms and humbles me”, Dr. Kim said.

“It reminds me that we make impressions on people every day. It is heartwarming to know that someone took the time to nominate me. Veterinarians, as a group, are very compassionate. At least the ones that I know. My staff makes me look really good. They have so much contact with my patients and clients and we all work together.”

Dr. Kim said she was elated to win the My Vet’s the Best award from Pets Best Insurance because she knew of the company’s background and believes Dr. Stephens helped pave the way for the pet insurance industry as a whole.

“I was really excited when I learned that Dr. Jack Stephens was the founder of Pets Best Insurance. I had attended a lecture of his and knew he had founded pet insurance,” she said.

The contest is open to all pet owners in the United States and entrants do not need to be Pets Best Insurance policyholders. Official rules are available at http://www.petsbest.com/official-rules.

About Pets Best Insurance

Insurance plans offered and administered by Pets Best are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company, a Delaware Insurance company. Independence American Insurance Company is a member of The IHC Group, an insurance organization composed of Independence Holding Company, a public company traded on the New York Stock Exchange, and its operating subsidiaries. The IHC Group has been providing life, health and stop loss insurance solutions for nearly 30 years. For information on The IHC Group, visit: http://www.ihcgroup.com. In states in which Independence American Insurance Company’s new policy form has not yet received regulatory approval, Aetna Insurance Company of Connecticut will underwrite policies. To determine the underwriter in your state, please call Pets Best at 1-866-929-3807.

Media Contact:
Jodi Mayo Alessandri
MG Media, LLC
856 US Highway 206
Suite B11
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
908-874-9200 x111
www.mgmedia.com

Contest recognizes and rewards veterinarians for their innovation and talent

Boise, ID, (Feb.6, 2012) – ChaseHealthAdvance, part of Chase Card Services, a division of JP Morgan Chase & Co. [NYSE: JPM], today announced it will join Pets Best Insurance for its second annual “My Vet’s the Best” contest. The contest, first launched in 2011 by Boise, Idaho based pet insurance company, Pets Best Insurance, recognizes and rewards the passion, innovation and talents of veterinarians everywhere.

My Vet’s the Best, which began January 1, 2012 and ends January 1, 2013, is focused on helping with the costs of veterinary treatment for stray animals or animals whose owners cannot afford to pay for veterinary care. Pets Best Insurance has an alliance with ChaseHealthAdvance, which provides financing to pet owners for animal care that is not covered by pet insurance.

My Vet’s the Best will recognize a total of four pet owners and their veterinarians during 2012. Pet owners are asked to nominate their vet and share why they think their vet is the best through a form on the Pets Best Insurance Facebook page and website. More information about the contest, nomination process and rules can be found at: www.petsbest.com/vetpromo or https://forms.petsbest.com/vet-nomination/.

Every three months, a winning story will be selected by the public, who will be invited to vote online. The pet owner who submits the winning story will receive a $200 cash prize and the winning veterinarian will receive $1,000 to be put towards the treatment of animals in need. Of the four winning veterinarians, a grand prize winner will be selected by Pets Best Insurance in December 2012.

ChaseHealthAdvance will provide a grant to Pets Best Insurance, which will cover airfare and hotel accommodations for the grand prize winner and a guest to attend the 2013 Annual Western Veterinary Conference.

“We were so impressed with the quality and passion of all of our nominees last year that we felt it was important to increase our efforts in providing care to animals in need and those who treat them,” said Dr. Jack Stephens, President of Pets Best Insurance and founder of pet health insurance in the US. “We also wanted to help provide an opportunity for our vets to keep up-to-date with new advances in medical care and the delivery of quality patient care.”

“ChaseHealthAdvance is excited to assist Pets Best Insurance with its contest and help families and their pets receive the care they need,” said Barry Trexler, senior vice president of ChaseHealthAdvance. “Pet owners and veterinarians need to be educated about available, affordable animal care solutions.”

“We want to recognize and reward the passion, innovation and talents of veterinarians everywhere who make it their life’s purpose to provide high quality care to their patients,” Dr. Jack Stephens said. “This contest will allow them to do so even if their client can’t afford to pay, or if they want to treat a stray that shows up on the hospital doorstep.”

The contest is open to all pet owners in the United States and entrants do not need to be Pets Best Insurance policyholders or customers of ChaseHealthAdvance. Official rules, are available at http://www.petsbest.com/official-rules. The $200 awarded to pet owners with winning stories cannot be used for Pets Best Insurance services. To learn more about ChaseHealthAdvance financing options visit www.chasehealthadvance.com or call 888-388-7633.

About Pets Best Insurance

Insurance plans offered and administered by Pets Best are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company, a Delaware Insurance company. Independence American Insurance Company is a member of The IHC Group, an insurance organization composed of Independence Holding Company, a public company traded on the New York Stock Exchange, and its operating subsidiaries. The IHC Group has been providing life, health and stop loss insurance solutions for nearly 30 years. For information on The IHC Group, visit, www.ihcgroup.com. In states in which Independence American Insurance Company’s new policy form has not yet received regulatory approval, policies will be underwritten by Aetna Insurance Company of Connecticut. To determine the underwriter in your state, please call Pets Best at 1-866-929-3807.

About Chase

Chase is the U.S. consumer and commercial banking business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.3 trillion and operations in more than 60 countries. Chase serves consumers and small businesses through 5,200 bank branches, 16,200 ATMs, mortgage offices, and online and mobile banking as well as through relationships with auto dealerships and schools and universities. Chase also has issued more than 90 million credit cards. More information about Chase is available at www.chase.com.

Media Contact:
Jodi Mayo Alessandri
MG Media, LLC
856 US Highway 206
Suite B11
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
908-874-9200 x111
www.mgmedia.com

VetPartners, the Association for Veterinary Practice Development, has honored Dr. Jack Stephens, pioneer in the pet insurance industry and founder of Pets Best Insurance, with its Pioneer Award for his significant contributions to the veterinary community.

Boise, Idaho- February 7, 2012- With a mission to serve and advance the veterinary profession with innovative, relevant, valuable and ethical practice development solutions, VetPartners association gives the Pioneer Award to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the VetPartners and/or the field of veterinary business consulting and advising. Pioneer Professional Member honorees are individuals who are deemed pioneers in the profession have been chosen by the Board of Directors to be honored for their service to the profession of Consulting or Advising Veterinary Medical Practices.

Award nominations come from nominations made by VetPartners’ members. Fellow member Kent Kruse, DVM PurinaCare Insurance Services, nominated Dr. Stephens. An excerpt of his nomination is below:

In the early years Jack organized Economic Summits on an every-other-year basis and provided veterinary management consultants with two days of continuing education, fellowship, food, and fun. These learning opportunities were provided at minimal expense to the invited guests. Gathering distinguished individuals who devoted their professional lives to assisting veterinarians in the management of their practices became the very basis for the VetPartners. I can’t think of a more deserving recipient of the Pioneer Award.

Dr. Stephens, the original founder of pet health insurance in the US, was presented with the Pioneer Award on January 13, 2012 at the Gaylord Palms Convention Center at the North American Veterinary Conference in Orlando, Florida.

“This award is special to me for two reasons. First, the idea for VetPartners was initiated during the annual leadership summit that I use to sponsor for the veterinary profession for many years. Secondly, VetPartners is about helping veterinarians become successful in practice so they are better able to focus on the health and well being of animals. A successful practice allows veterinarians to reinvest into the profession with new technologies to diagnose and treat pets, attract qualified staff and help care for more animals.”

Former VetPartners President, Dr. Peter Weinstein deems Dr. Jack Stephens as a visionary leader who saw the need to help pet owners with the cost of care for their pets and to help eliminate pets going untreated due to financial constraints of their owners. As a practicing vet in Southern California, Dr. Weinstein saw firsthand how Dr. Stephens advocated the benefits of pet health insurance for pets, pet owners and veterinarians and brought it to life. “It was truly visionary and paved the way for the profession as a whole and the way we go about doing business.”

“If you look up the definition of pioneer, that is Dr. Jack Stephens. Look at what he has done for the profession. With pet insurance being his tool, he really changed the way people look at care for animals”, he concluded.

With the goal of reducing economic euthanasia and his commitment to the safety, health and well being of all pets, Pets Best Insurance leader, Dr. Jack Stephens, founded pet health insurance in the United States in 1981*. A true industry visionary, Dr. Stephens today leads the Pets Best Insurance team with his passion for quality pet care and his expert veterinary knowledge. The Pets Best Insurance team, in turn, is a group of pet lovers who strive to deliver quality customer service and value.

For more information, visit Pets Best Insurance or phone 877-PetsBest (738-7237). You may also follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/petsbestinsurance.

About Pets Best Insurance

Insurance plans offered and administered by Pets Best are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company, a Delaware Insurance company. Independence American Insurance Company is a member of The IHC Group, an insurance organization composed of Independence Holding Company, a public company traded on the New York Stock Exchange, and its operating subsidiaries. The IHC Group has been providing life, health and stop loss insurance solutions for nearly 30 years. For information on The IHC Group, visit, www.ihcgroup.com. In states in which Independence American Insurance Company’s new policy form has not yet received regulatory approval, policies will be underwritten by Aetna Insurance Company of Connecticut. To determine the underwriter in your state, please call Pets Best at 1-866-929-3807

Media Contact:
Jodi Mayo Alessandri
MG Media, LLC
856 US Highway 206
Suite B11
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
908-874-9200 x111
www.mgmedia.com

Top-rated pet insurance provider, Pets Best Insurance, offers simple steps to keep pets healthy during the holidays and highlights how pet health insurance can help when the unexpected happens.

Boise, ID December 14, 2011- The holidays are upon us, our houses filled with all the delights of the season. But many of our favorite traditional holiday decorations and foods mask a host of problems for our furry friends. Following these tips from Pets Best Insurance can keep your pets healthy, and investing in pet health insurance can offset costly emergency trips to the vet.

“Our pets are members of our families and we will do anything to keep them safe and healthy,” says Chris Middleton, VP of Marketing for Pets Best Insurance. “The best way to do that is to rid our houses of potential threats and have pet health insurance as a backup for when the unexpected happens.”

Christmas trees should be tethered either to the wall or to the ceiling to prevent toppling over on a pet. Pull the skirt tightly around the trunk to keep pets from drinking the stagnant tree water, which can contain bacteria and possibly fertilizer, both of which can harm pets. Artificial snow and flocking can be poisonous. Shiny tinsel and ribbon are like magnets to a cat, and if ingested, can tangle in the animal’s digestive tract causing an obstruction and possible surgery.

Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not poisonous, but other holiday plants and flowers are. Holly can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. Many varieties of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats. If any leaves and berries drop to the floor, be sure to clean them up before your pets find them.

Chocolate is toxic to pets, and the darker the chocolate the more dangerous. It can cause a variety of problems from vomiting to seizures and even death. Xylitol is a synthetic sugar substitute found in many candies and chewing gum and can be highly toxic to animals. Ingestion of Xylitol can cause liver damage and death, explained the pet insurance company’s Director of Compliance, Jared Hight.

“Xylitol is very poisonous to dogs,” says Hight. “We recently had a case where Bella, a Boxer in California, ate a whole pack of gum.” The vet bill was $2,794.03. Luckily, Bella’s owners had taken out pet insurance through Pets Best Insurance and the company reimbursed $2,126.42, after a $100 deductible.”

Fatty holiday table scraps are unhealthy for our pets, but what they might find on their own if garbage isn’t sealed properly can harm them even more. Another recent claim Pets Best Insurance handled was that of Charlie the Sheepdog. Charlie ate an entire corncob and needed swift medical attention. Pets Best Insurance helped the owners by paying $2,500 of the vet bill after their deductible.

Emergencies come up even when owners are vigilant about pet safety. Seemingly simple problems can balloon into big expenses. No one expects a quick rummage in the garbage to turn into an expensive vet bill, but it can happen. Pet owners should do all they can to keep their pets safe in and around the home this holiday season, and investing in pet health insurance is an excellent safeguard for when emergencies arise.

About Pets Best Insurance
Boise, Idaho-based Pets Best Insurance provides pet insurance plans that reimburse pet owners for a straightforward 80 percent of veterinary services after a deductible, with no benefit schedules or fee restrictions. Pets Best Insurance plans do not include age restrictions and allow the pet owner to choose any licensed veterinarian. Any pet has guaranteed acceptance for accident-only polices, ensuring that even seriously ill pets can be insured against unexpected costs from accidental injury. The Pets Best Insurance team is a group of pet lovers who strive to deliver quality customer service and value. Aetna Insurance Company of Connecticut (AICC) underwrites insurance plans offered and administered by Pets Best Insurance. This material describes Pets Best Insurance plans in general terms. Eligible expenses and coverage may vary, depending on your plan selection. All pet insurance plans have limitations and exclusions. Information is believed to be accurate as of the production date; however, it is subject to change. For more information, visit Pets Best Insurance at Petsbest.com or phone 877-PetsBest (738-7237). You may also follow them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/petsbestinsurance URL: http://www.petsbest.com

Pet insurance company, Pets Best Insurance launches two e-newsletters featuring pet health information for cat and dog owners to provide helpful information to pet enthusiasts everywhere.

BOISE, ID- November 28, 2011— Pets Best Insurance announced it has two new e-newsletters which will provide valuable pet health information and general related news to its policyholders and any pet owners who wish to subscribe.

The monthly e-newsletters will feature articles and videos providing timely pet health information. Various real-life pet health insurance “Claims of Fame” will be showcased along with recommended products, pet fashion trends, pet-related charity events, advice and contests. Pets Best Insurance designed the new e-newsletters to provide helpful information to pet owners by providing a fun and educational pet care resource with overall pet wellness in mind.

The two separate monthly emails will feature pet health information on cats and dogs, respectively, and will include a range of helpful information for pet owners. They will highlight how to cope with pet behavioral issues and feature special offers and savings from other pet related companies. Pets Best Insurance is focused on providing independent content and pet health related news in each newsletter.

The most recent features included an article about Thanksgiving dinner and your dog, a video on helping overweight dogs and cats slim down and an article about the growing cat obesity problem. Each e-newsletter will also feature a column from the original founder of pet insurance in the US, Dr. Jack Stephens. Dr. Stephens’ column will address topics such as how much to feed your pet, cancer concerns with animals and other tips and answers to common pet health questions.

“Pets Best Insurance is committed to promoting the health and well-being of all pets. Accordingly, we feel that these e-newsletters will be a helpful and fun source of information for the continued care and happiness of pets and pet owners everywhere,” said Chris Middleton, Vice President of Marketing at Pets Best Insurance.

To sign up for the newsletter, visit http://forms.petsbest.com/pet-newsletter/ or get a free pet insurance quote at www.petsbest.com.

About Pets Best Insurance

Boise, Idaho-based Pets Best Insurance provides pet insurance plans that reimburse pet owners for a straightforward 80 percent of veterinary services after a deductible, with no benefit schedules or fee restrictions. Pets Best Insurance plans do not include age restrictions and allow the pet owner to choose any licensed veterinarian. Any pet has guaranteed acceptance for accident-only polices, ensuring that even seriously ill pets can be insured against unexpected costs from accidental injury. The Pets Best Insurance team is a group of pet lovers who strive to deliver quality customer service and value. Aetna Insurance Company of Connecticut (AICC) underwrites insurance plans offered and administered by Pets Best Insurance. This material describes Pets Best Insurance plans in general terms. Eligible expenses and coverage may vary, depending on your plan selection. All pet insurance plans have limitations and exclusions. Information is believed to be accurate as of the production date; however, it is subject to change. For more information, visit Pets Best Insurance at www.Petsbest.com or phone 877-PetsBest (738-7237). You may also follow them on Facebook.

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