BUSINESS - World Class Innovator Moves Up in Animal Health

Valpy Moves to Apply Builder Skills to LifeLearn

Friday was the last day for Randy Valpy in the pet health insurance business. His 15 year career in pet insurance was capped with the development of the innovative Pet Plus Us brand for Royal Sun Alliance.

Pet Plus Us was recently sold to Pethealth, a Fairfax Company operating in the UK and across North America.

PPU colleagues say 'thanks'

At the Pet Plus Us farewell luncheon, Valpy was presented with a framed “Thank You” incorporating the remarks and best wishes of his colleagues.

Few people have achieved Valpy’s reputation as a builder of businesses and brands.

In addition to Pets Plus Us, he was responsible for building Canada’s first pet insurance brand, Pet Plan; Canada’s largest pet insurance brand, Petsecure; and, Canada’s first pet insurance underwriter, Securican.

These four brands were successful at meeting business goals and each was later acquired by other interests.

In addition to building brands and businesses, Valpy worked to create a more collaborative industry as a co-founder of the Summit for Urban Animals and co-founder of the North American Pet Health Industry Association (NAPHIA).

Lisa Milton congratulates Randy Valpy

In recognition of his achievements, Valpy was awarded the 2013 Summit for Individual Achievement by his peers in North America.

The award was sponsored by IAMS Canada to recognize an individual whose innovation, skills and achievements are respected by the entire companion animal industry.

On Monday, Valpy will move up in the animal health value chain to lead LifeLearn Inc.

This organization has an important role to play; equipping businesses to lead in the animal health industry as they meet the challenges of the digital environment and learn to succeed in a consumer driven economy.

BUSINESS - Valpy Departure from Pets Plus Us Unexpected

Randy Valpy, noted developer of Canada’s leading pet health insurance brands, Petsecure and Pets Plus Us and founder of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) is leaving the pet health insurance industry.

In June 2016, Pethealth, a Fairfax Company, acquired Pets Plus Us from RSA and added this book of business to Canadian operations for Pethealth. Valpy became Vice President & Managing Director, Pet Insurance at PTZ Insurance Services Ltd. and continued in his role as Top Dog at Pets Plus Us.

Valpy received the Urban Animal Summit Award for Individual Achievement in 2013 for his strong collaborative goals and resolution to create healthy communities for people and pets.

The Summit for Individual Achievement recognizes an individual who is currently active in the companion animal industry and who is well regarded for their achievements.

According to the industry sources, Valpy will leave PTZ Insurance Services effective December 9th and take up responsibilities as President and CEO of LifeLearn in Guelph, Ontario, on December 12th.

Eric Coulson, Director of Sales and Operations for Pets Plus Us is expected to be named as interim ‘Top Dog’ and leader of the Pets Plus Us brand in Canada.

InfoStream has extended an invitation to interview both Eric and Randy about their new roles. 

Nationwide Pet Insurance Creates New Comprehensive Plan

In the United States, Nationwide Pet Insurance has created a new coverage plan called Whole Pet with Wellness; the company considers it to be the most comprehensive plan in the country. Nationwide is America’s oldest and largest pet insurance company. The company insures over 550,000 animals.

With Whole Pet with Wellness, customers have the option to receive 90% reimbursement on their claims instead of a set amount per incident/expense. The plan also features an annual deductible. Chief Pet Insurance Officer, Scott Liles said, “Many pet health insurance companies offer per-incident deductibles, which the pet owner incurs each time he or she takes their pet to the veterinarian for a new issue. With Nationwide’s Whole Pet with Wellness plan, once the annual deductible is met, members will receive 90 percent reimbursement for eligible veterinary expenses through their annual policy term.”

The plan reimburses for:

• Veterinary exams and hospitalization.
• Vaccinations, dental work, deworming, and sterilization.
• Surgery.
• Injuries.
• Illnesses, including cancer, genetic, and congenital conditions.
• Diagnostic testing.
• Prescribed supplements, diets, and medications.
• Prescribed alternative and preventative care.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Nuzzle: The New Smart Collar Tag for Pets

The CEO of a new company called Nuzzle, Anthony Dubbaneh has created a smart collar tag for dogs and cats. The device allows owners to monitor their pet’s location, activity levels, temperature, and any impact events via their smartphone. Part of the reason the collars were created was to encourage pet owners to purchase pet health insurance (which can be done through the app).

Nuzzle app user interface.

Nuzzle is water-resistant, batteries are easily changed, and it can be attached to any pet collar. Nuzzle uses cellular GPS radio signals and has some internal sensors to monitor the animal. It is even capable of alerting an owner if their animal leaves their property or house. Nuzzle will record and track pet activity levels and alert the owner if the animal’s activity level decreases. The smart collar tag may be purchased for $149 USD.

Nuzzle encourages pet owners to purchase pet health insurance. Dubbaneh said, "The biggest reason why so few people have pet insurance is awareness. Fundamentally, pet insurance is marketed through direct mail, so it looks like just another piece of junk mail when it shows up in people's lives." Dubbaneh is looking for a successful way to market pet insurance through creating a useful product designed to start conversations about pet insurance. Ammunition’s design partner for Nuzzle, Matt Rolandson said, "There's plenty of wearables, trackers, and IoT devices out there searching for a recurring revenue relationship, without a lot of success. It's just absolutely genius to use a beautiful physical object as a way to attract people to an ongoing customer relationship."

Regarding the pet insurance push, Dubbaneh said, "At the end of the day, the relationship between a person and their pet is one of the strongest ones they have in life. It breaks my heart that so many people feel they can't afford to preserve that relationship in an emergency, just because they don't have enough money in their bank account."

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

CTV Interviews Randy Valpy for Healthy Pets

Pet Plus Us 'Top Dog' Randy Valpy, appeared on CTV's Canada AM this morning to explain how a pet's health and medical insurance are connected. 

No one wants to deal with economic euthanasia (putting a pet down because of cost) but it happens more often than anyone would like. Pet medical insurance, like dental insurance, covers the majority of the costs for many medical interventions. And now pet owners have much more choice in terms of the coverage and benefits they can select.

Should the industry get behind pet insurance?

Watch the Video

Treating Pets with Cancer

Today CTV ran a story which provides insight into the struggles people face when a much loved pet is diagnosed with dreaded cancer. Friends who 'Call you crazy - it's just a dog, get another one'; health insurance that mitigates the cost; and, expectations for quality of life, are all elements of this clip.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Thanks to Lisa Milton, Crossfield, Alberta, Canada for passing this clip along. If you find something the industry needs to see pass it to contactus@urbananimal.com

Petsecure receives award from BC SPCA

The BC SPCA presented Petsecure with the 2012 Caring Company Award, June 1, 2012, for their outstanding efforts and support of Canadian animal shelters.

Petsecure has provided complimentary Adoptsecure pet insurance to shelters across the country. This program has provided up to six weeks of accident and illness coverage, valued at $500, to over 250,000 newly adopted dogs and cats.

The BC SPCA is just one Canadian shelter that has benefited from Petsecure's Adoptsecure Program. Since 2012, over 16,500 pets from the BC SPCA have been insured through the program.

Read the News Release

Pet Owners Report Reveals the Economy Doesn't Affect Spending on Pets

Pet spending in the U.S. has been proven to be recession-proof, according to a new online survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of CouponCabin from April 19th - 23rd, 2012.

Among 1,299 pet owners surveyed, three-in-four (75 per cent) said the state of the economy doesn't affect how much money they spend on their pets. Twelve per cent said they spend $101 or more per month on their pets, while more than one in five (21 per cent) said they spend $51-$100 per month on their pets.

More than one-quarter (26 per cent) of pet owners would put their pets' health care needs before their own. In addition, nearly one-in-five (17 per cent) said they don't currently have pet insurance, but would consider purchasing it. Seven per cent of pet owners said they currently own pet insurance.

According to the survey, expensive and unnecessary grooming treatments topped the list of excessive pet spending. Purchases considered too expensive to spend on a pet:

• Getting your pet a professional massage: 77 per cent
• Paying for beauty and groom treatments beyond typical grooming (nail polish, hair styling, body wraps, etc): 73 per cent
• Extravagant pet hotels and boarding: 71 per cent
• Regularly buying your pet gourmet food: 48 per cent
• Medicating your pet for any psychological needs (e.g. anxiety medicine, depression medicine, etc): 44 per cent
• Paying for expensive experimental health treatments (e.g. new cancer treatments to save pet's life): 40 per cent
• Buying your pet too many toys: 33 per cent

View the complete New Release

An interview with Randy Valpy, Vice President and Managing Director, RSA Pet Insurance

Randy Valpy, the former head of Western Financial Insurance Company, is one of Canada's best known industry leaders. Recently he left Western Financial Insurance Company to take up the challenge of a newly created division of RSA. InfoStream caught up with Randy at RSA Canada's headquarters in Toronto:


InfoStream: Randy most of the industry has never heard of RSA. Who are they?

RV: RSA is a 300 year old Company with its global headquarters in the UK. It operates in 130 countries and is one of the largest underwriters of pet insurance in the United Kingdom usually just behind or just ahead of Petplan.


InfoStream: If we confine ourselves to the Canadian market for a minute, just how big is RSA?

RV: In Canada they have 3,500 employees and in 2010 generated over $2.2 billion in gross written premiums.


InfoStream: So why does RSA care about the pet insurance segment?

RV: First of all, pets is a segment of the financial services business with a very good opportunity for growth. Second, the existing players in North America own a small business that serves less than 2% of the pet families. Third, in other countries like the UK, pet insurance serves 10 times as many clients. Finally, RSA sees the opportunity to offer innovative services that will help grow the market. I believe this approach will be good for the entire industry. As others have said before, 'A rising tide lifts all boats!'


InfoStream: Some people don't understand RSA hiring a direct competitor, what is your response?

RV: Well, RSA has hired me to set up a pet insurance division. In my past life at Western/Petsecure, we built the largest pet insurance company in Canada. We grew Petsecure by 530% to own 59% of the Canadian market during my 10-year watch. At RSA, they believe I have the added benefit of moving outside the box to offer innovative approaches and services which was part of the attraction for me.


InfoStream: Randy, why do you see this as a big opportunity at this point in your career?

RV: First and foremost, this opportunity with RSA allows me to work where I live so that work/life balance is finally within reach. Second, I have always been attracted to the 'new thing'. Third, I was a founding member of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association [NAPHIA] and I believe the challenge of pet health and declining vet visits can be addressed with innovative services and offerings. Finally, my vision for the industry is to see planned wellness become something every responsible pet family sees as important for their pets.


InfoStream: Western Financial Insurance Company underwrote products for President's Choice Financial, Canadian Automobile Association, Nestle Purina PetCare and Hudson's Bay Company among others. Will you be able to continue this type of development activity with RSA?

RV: That's a good question. I'm not prepared to set out our strategy just at this moment. However, with my knowledge of the industry and RSA's commitment to, and global knowledge of, the pet insurance industry, I plan to create an innovative pet insurance brand. I think we can leverage RSA's incredible strength and underwriting capability to bring on new partners and to once again build the largest pet insurance company in Canada!


InfoStream: Thanks Randy, may we visit with you from time to time to see how this unfolds?

RV: You bet! I would welcome the opportunity to continue this dialogue.

VPI Partner Program Pairs "Heroes" with Shelter Animals

Pets2Vets Helps Servicemen and Women Form New Bonds, Rebuild Lives

BREA, Calif., -- Veterans Day will have new significance for Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI), the nation's oldest and largest provider of pet health insurance, as the company announced today its partnership with Pets2Vets. The collaboration unites VPI with the national nonprofit organization, whose mission it is to alleviate the suffering of U.S. active military, veterans, first responders and their families by matching them with at-risk shelter animals nationwide. This unique model saves two lives in the process.

Pets2Vets founder and former Air Force Senior Airman, David Sharpe said, "Pets2Vets is grateful to VPI for its generous support.  We believe securing the health of an adopted pet will go a long way toward ensuring a successful bond between our heroes and their companion animal. With the help of VPI, Pets2Vets hopes to continue to make a difference in the lives of Americans on the front lines and shelter animals."

 "We know first-hand that the bond between people and pets can have an incredible healing power," said Dennis P. Drent, president and CEO for VPI. "This new relationship will allow Pets2Vets to continue to ease the transition back into society for these servicemen and women while providing further peace of mind with health care coverage for their rescued companion."

For the heroes who qualify for the program, Pets2Vets will cover the first year premium for their new companion under a VPI Major Medical plan, which offers the most comprehensive coverage protection. Additionally, pets will receive a CareGuard(SM) Core rider, which covers expenses relating to vaccinations, flea protection and other preventive routine care benefits.

For more info

Caring for your pets - and your pocketbook

Pet insurance offers needed security in times of family crisis.

The cost for unexpected vet expenses can add up quickly. How much is too much when it comes to taking care of an extended member of the family. Is there a limit? How do you decide? Having pet insurance helps eliminate these questions and puts the focus back on a healthy recovery and returning your pet back to the normal family life they are accustomed too.

This article in the Calgary Herald by Rebecca Penty, describes the struggles of one family and how they came to the realization that pet insurance was a must.

Caring for your pets - and your pocketbook

Petplan Pet Insurance Triples in Size Since 2008

Pet health insurance, as an industry, has seen remarkable growth over the past decade. Despite the recent economic downturn, which has forced many businesses to drastically cut expenses, the positive momentum and continued evolution of this industry has been fueled by rising costs in veterinary care and a marked change in the way American families view their pets. Petplan, America's top-rated pet insurer, has witnessed firsthand how these factors have come together to drive the growth of the pet insurance industry as its own business has expanded rapidly. In just the past three years, Petplan has tripled its Philadelphia-based workforce and its gross written premiums have risen by more than 2200 percent.

"Petplan is proof that passion, strong leadership and the right partners can help businesses create market share ? even in a recession ? and emerge as leaders of the recovery," says Natasha Ashton, co-founder of Petplan. "We are enormously proud that Petplan pet insurance helps pet parents budget for unforeseen accidents, illnesses and emergencies. Time and time again, we have seen how, when a pet parent must tighten its financial belt, the ability to confidently seek the best care for their four-legged family members' health, provides essential peace of mind."

The pet health insurance industry has demonstrated tremendous growth in a short amount of time in the United States but this growth is not exhausted. According to 2011 research from the American Pet Products Association only one percent of the 93 millions cats and three percent of the 78 million dogs in America are covered by pet health insurance policies. For more information about pet health insurance, please visit www.gopetplan.com.

ABOUT PETPLAN
As America's top-rated pet insurance company, Petplan offers customizable policies to meet any coverage requirements and budget for pets of all/any age. Petplan is the only insurer to cover all hereditary and congenital conditions for the life of the pet ? without dollar limits per condition.

PetLynx Announces New HomeSafe Initiative

At the April 2010 Canadian Regional Summits for Urban Animal Strategies an exciting new initiative to make pet insurance protection available to the pet families of the 14 million+ dogs and cats in Canada was announced.

Under this new initiative, called HomeSafe™, Western Financial Insurance Company (WFIC) and PetLynx Corporation will develop health insurance benefits for the new on-line HomeSafe™ portal.

---

How does it work?

HomeSafe™ will provide a range of products and prices from three of the leading pet insurance brands in Canada, all of which are underwritten by WFIC. Pet families may choose the type of medical insurance that best meets their budget and their needs from among these offerings. This coverage will  be registered in the pet's record on the HomeSafe™ national system, which is powered by PetLynx. In an emergency situation, pets registered with HomeSafe™ will have the shortest path to medical attention in Canada.

Who will benefit from the HomeSafe™ program?

Everyone! Using the on-line HomeSafe™ portal, pet families will manage their  animals' care profiles, breed information, recovery services, pet pictures and licensing information. Pet retailers, breeders, humane societies, municipalities, veterinarians and other service providers will have the ability to ensure that the pets they place or provide services to have medical benefits.

Why is a program like HomeSafe™ needed?

The Urban Animal Surveys, conducted for PetLynx Corporation by Ipsos Reid in 2008 and dmrkynetec in 2009, clearly showed that companion animal health and wellness is a top priority for pet families.

Companion animal industry intelligence tells us that:

• There are higher instances of surrender and euthanasia in communities where health care benefits aren't readily available for companion animals.
• To reduce or eliminate this situation communities and industry need to work together.

What industry sectors can be involved with HomeSafe™?

• Municipalities
• Humane societies
• Veterinarians
• Breeders
• Retailers
• All other service providers.

Why Western Financial and PetLynx?

Because this program delivers a win for communities, pets, people and the companion animal industry in Canada.

"We believe that HomeSafe™ is the most comprehensive approach to improving health and wellness for companion animals in Canada," said Randy Valpy, President and CEO of Western Financial Insurance. "We have already paid out more than $110,000,000 in claims, which means Canadians can trust us. Now with PetLynx and the HomeSafe™ program we will take health and wellness to a new level."

"Health care is one of the highest priorities Canadians have," adds Larry R. Evans, President and CEO of PetLynx Corporation. "Our colleagues across Canada helped us become the largest automated recovery system in just three years. Together with Western Financial Insurance we will deliver a new level of health and wellness for pets and help Canadian communities become the best place for companion animals in the world."

ABOUT WESTERN FINANCIAL INSURANCE

Western Financial Insurance Company (WFIC), formally known as Securican General Insurance Company, is the first and only licensed insurance company in Canada to focus solely on pet health insurance. WFIC has a number of product lines. Its core brand is Petsecure pet health insurance, and they also underwrite PurinaCare^® Pet Health Insurance, PC Financial^® pet insurance, CAA pet insurance and Hbc Pet Insurance.

ABOUT PETLYNX CORPORATION

PetLynx automates the Companion Animal Industry in Canada.  Hundreds of times a day, the PetLynx Automated National Recovery System recovers lost pets. PetLynx is the only Internet system in the world that can recover animals using a physical description, with or without any of the common forms of pet identification. It is also the only system that can recover pets not enrolled prior to becoming lost. To date, more than 158,344 pet recoveries have been facilitated through the PetLynx National Recovery System in Canada.

PetLynx....  lifetime protection for pets and peace of mind for people.

For more information contact:

Mika Sanson ~ Western Financial Insurance Company

204.942.2999 ext 7297

Mika.Sanson@westernfic.com

http://www.westernfic.com

Cindy Kreutzer~ PetLynx Corporation

403.219.1088

cindy.kreutzer@petlynxmail.com

http://www.petlynx.com/

Posted by Terri Perrin ~ Online Communications Editor

PetLynx Announces New HomeSafe Initiative

23 February 2010

SecuriCan General Insurance Company, Canada's oldest and largest provider of pet health insurance, and PetLynx Corporation, Canada's innovative, cutting-edge provider of information services for the pet industry, are pleased to announce a new initiative for companion animals in Canada. Under this new collaboration SecuriCan and PetLynx will develop health insurance benefits for the new HomeSafe™ portal and offer pet insurance to all dogs and cats in Canada.


The Urban Animal Surveys conducted for PetLynx Corporation by Ipsos Reid in 2008 and dmrkynetec in 2009 clearly show that health and wellness is a top priority for pet families. These studies also show higher instances of surrender and euthanasia in communities where health care benefits aren't readily available for companion animals. To reduce or eliminate this situation the parties will work with municipalities, humane societies, veterinarians, breeders, retailers and other service providers in each community to ensure that every pet in the HomeSafe™ program is provided with medical benefits at the moment it reaches its first pet family home.


The HomeSafe™ program will provide a range of products and prices from three of the leading pet insurance brands in Canada. Pet families will choose the type of medical insurance that best meets their budget and their needs from among these offerings. Since this coverage will also be registered in the pet's record on the HomeSafe™ national system, those pets requiring emergency intervention will have the shortest path to medical attention in Canada.


There are over 14 million dogs and cats in Canada that require health insurance benefits. Using the HomeSafe™ program will give pet retailers, pet breeders, humane societies, veterinarians and other providers the ability to ensure the pets they place or service have medical benefits right from the beginning of each new relationship. In addition, pet families will manage their insurance coverage online using the HomeSafe™ portal where they manage their care profiles, breed information, recovery services, pet pictures and licensing.


'We believe this is the most comprehensive approach to improving health & wellness for companion animals in Canada', said Randy Valpy, President and CEO of SecuriCan General Insurance Company. We have already paid out more than $103,000,000 in claims which means Canadians can trust us. Now with PetLynx and the HomeSafe™ program we will take health and wellness to a new level'.


'Health care is one of the highest priorities Canadians have', said Larry R. Evans, President & CEO of PetLynx Corporation. 'Our colleagues across Canada helped us become the largest automated recovery system in just three years. Together with SecuriCan we will deliver a new level of health and wellness for pets and help Canadian communities become the best place for companion animals in the world.'


SecuriCan will launch this new collaboration in Canada on 19 April 2010, at the PetLynx Regional Summits for Urban Animal Strategies.


For more information please contact:


Mika Sanson
SecuriCan General Insurance Company
204.942.2999 ext 7297
msanson@securican.ca
http://www.securican.ca/


Cindy Kreutzer
PetLynx Corporation
403.219.1088
cindy.kreutzer@petlynxmail.com
http://www.petlynx.net/


Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor