Vetr Health Rolls Out Veterinary Telemedicine Platform
Written by Sarah Carpenter
Vetr Health Founders, Sadoc and Rachel, with their beloved goldendoodle, Penny Lane
Rachel Berkal was thrilled to welcome a fluffy goldendoodle into her life during the pandemic. She and Sadoc Paredes began dating a month later. When the new couple took Rachel’s beloved dog, Penny Lane, to her first veterinarian visit, they couldn’t believe how expensive it was.
“We started experiencing a lot of the problems pet parents face today,” Rachel said. “Getting that first vet bill and seeing how much we were charged—especially for the testing—definitely set off alarm bells for us.”
The experience was particularly eye-opening because they had a working knowledge of what veterinary diagnostics and testing really cost. At the time, the pair were operating a diagnostics lab for veterinarians in Denver, CO, with Sadoc’s sister Ruby Paredes.
“Having that behind-the-curtain view and the experience of getting our first big vet bill got us thinking about more affordable and convenient veterinary care solutions,” Rachel said.
Rachel and Sadoc soon started working on an idea to provide affordable veterinary care to dogs and cats in the comfort of their owner’s home. And, in February 2023, the couple officially launched Vetr Health, along with Ruby as the third co-founder.
“The pandemic influenced our business model,” Rachel said. “Mobile services exploded during that time, and telehealth for human medicine became more prevalent. We wanted to incorporate these elements into a package for people and their pets.”
To sign up for the mobile service, pet owners visit vetrhealth.com, complete a short pet profile, and select a membership package that includes physical exams, vaccines, and annual testing needs. Then they’re ready to schedule a mobile appointment. After their first visit, members receive access to unlimited telehealth consultations with the veterinary team and access to the online pharmacy.
“Vetr Health provides pets and their parents with a less stressful and more accessible veterinary experience,” Sadoc said. “We offer monthly payments to help people budget for their vet care, and they can easily access their pet’s records online whenever needed. We also ship medications and preventatives directly to the home.”
A vibrant startup community in Grand Rapids has helped Vetr Health gain traction and experience some early success. In July 2022, the co-founders submitted a 100-second pitch to participate in Start Garden’s 100 event. Vetr Health was selected as one of 100 finalists awarded $1,000 each, and invited to pitch their startup on Demo Day, where they were awarded the $20,000 grand prize. In March 2023, a mentor introduced them to Janet Wyllie, Director of Gateway Services at Spartan Innovations, a subsidiary of the Michigan State University Research Foundation. Soon after, Vetr Health took up tenancy in The Bridge, an incubator space for high-tech, high-growth startups operated by Spartan Innovations.
“We met Janet on a Tuesday and moved into The Bridge the following Monday.” Sadoc said. “It’s great being in a building that is so hungry to help entrepreneurs and provides us with resources and connections.”
Spartan Innovations is helping Vetr Health create a digital marketing roadmap through its Entrepreneur-In-Residence Program, and assisting with applications for the Business Accelerator Fund. Most recently, Spartan Innovations connected the woman- and minority-owned startup with an opportunity to attend Renaissance Venture Capital DEI UnDemo Day®. The event attracts venture capital to high-growth companies led by diverse founders. Vetr Health was one of just 24 companies selected from the Midwest to participate.
“The event connected us with some key investors throughout the country and was a great jumping-off point as we look to build our network,” Rachel said. “Partnering with Spartan Innovations already feels like it’s taken us to a level that wouldn’t have been possible on our own. We couldn’t be more grateful.”
Vetr Health is also paying it forward. They’re supporters of Beer City Dog Biscuits and will host events with The Pack Indoor Dog Park and Your Pets Naturally. You might also find them giving out treats at pet-friendly businesses across town, like Harmony Brewing Company, Zivio, Lucy’s, and Furniture City Creamery.
To learn more about Vetr Health, visit vetrhealth.com.
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About the Michigan State University Research Foundation
The Michigan State University Research Foundation (MSU Research Foundation) was established in 1973 as an independent nonprofit committed to the commercialization of cutting-edge technologies invented by MSU faculty, staff, and students. Today, the MSU Research Foundation is focused on enhancing research, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship, and facilitating economic growth at MSU and across the state through its subsidiary organizations—Spartan Innovations, Red Cedar Ventures, and Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III—and its Research Parks.
About Vetr Health
Vetr Health is on a mission to inspire a new era of veterinary care. Through our annual memberships, we provide a comprehensive range of services for your pet’s wellness care, including in-home visits, vaccines, testing, unlimited telehealth, and access to our affordable online pharmacy. We bring convenience, comfort and exceptional care directly to your doorstep, saving you time, money, and stress. However, our innovation extends beyond pet care – Vetr Health is committed to fostering a progressive work environment for veterinary professionals, prioritizing their mental health and well-being. We believe that by nurturing and supporting these caregivers in new ways, we elevate the standard of care for your beloved pets. Experience the Vetr Health difference today and join us in shaping the future of veterinary care.