BUSINESS - Thrive Affordable Vet Care Available in Select Petco Stores

Petco announced a joint venture with Thrive Affordable Vet Care to incorporate full-service Thrive clinics in select Petco stores later this year.

“We know that pet health and wellness are increasingly important to pet parents and critical to the long-term health and well-being of our pets," said Bill Engen, Petco senior vice president.

"As part of our ongoing commitment to providing services and experiences that pet parents want, we are excited to expand our current offerings, which include our existing vaccination clinics, by partnering with Thrive Vet Care, to bring their progressive, 'affordable veterinary care' model to select Petco locations."

Petco is counting on consumer demand for affordable, convenient, one-stop pet care continuing to grow, and Thrive is looking to expand their business.

"Thrive is a rapidly growing team of pet care professionals focused on delivering high quality care to pets and an unprecedented value to pet parents," said Odis Pirtle, CEO of Thrive Vet Care.

"We're extremely excited about the partnership and the opportunity to collaborate with a world class organization like Petco as we continue to expand our business."

This expansion of services is in-line with Petco’s recent acquisition of PetCoach, a digital services company that connects pet parents with veterinary professionals, trainers and other experts for free personalized answers and advice.

It also reflects the ongoing growth in the pet retail industry.

Petco and Pet Supplies Plus both increased their number of stores in 2016, with Petco providing services such as grooming and dog training in some locations.

Pet retail competitor PetSmart also expanded - opening 50 new stores in their 2015 fiscal year and 80 in 2016.

The brick and mortar locations endeavor to draw customers in with services beyond pet retail as online pet supply sales continue to grow.

BUSINESS - Apple Joins Other Tech Giants in Artificial Intelligence Partnership

Partnership on AI was formed in 2016 and while Apple was involved since the beginning, the corporation became an official founding member this week.

 

Apple joins a group that includes some of the biggest names in tech - Amazon, DeepMind/Google, Facebook, IBM, and Microsoft.

The growth in artificial intelligence (AI) products, and concerns about potential risks prompted the formation of Partnership on AI whose goal is to ensure that applications of AI are beneficial to people and society.

The organization will study the potential societal impact of AI systems, develop and share best practices, develop educational resources and host open forums to share information about the latest topics in the field.

They will also create working groups for different sectors, for example healthcare and transportation, conducting research on the specific AI applications in these different areas of the economy.

Some fears surrounding AI include criminal use, robots taking over the workforce, privacy, and even the end of the human race.

Many believe, however, AI machines and applications are the next generation of sophisticated tools enhancing our human capabilities.

The aim of Partnership on AI is to help ensure the positive application of artificial intelligence.

According to their website, “Diversity of thought across the organization is crucial to ensure that we effectively explore and address the influences of AI on people and society, provide guidance on AI best practices, and seek to advance the public’s understanding of AI.”

HEALTH - Public Health and Veterinary Schools Form Innovative Partnership

The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (the Bloomberg School) has inked its first partnership with a veterinary school to explore research collaborations and joint educational activities to benefit students at both institutions.

The agreement with the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts and Nevis in the West Indies, is reflective of the One Health approach to medicine.

"This new collaboration with Ross offers a platform to address important issues at the intersection of human and animal medicine, population health and food security,” said Michael J. Klag, dean of the Bloomberg School.

“Ross’ commitment to research on globally-significant public health issues make this collaboration a natural fit for our faculty and our students.”

The Bloomberg School has held the top spot in US News & World Report’s ranking of schools of public health since 1994. The school conducts research in 130 countries and is recognized as the largest school of public health in the world.

Ross has four major research centers, two of which will be directly involved in research collaborations with the Bloomberg School.

The One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine investigates endemic infectious diseases in consideration of nationally, regionally and internationally recognized priorities and critical research gaps.

The Center for Conservation Medicine and Ecosystem Health focuses on the health of populations, communities and ecosystems, and works to provide novel solutions to complex ecological issues.

“About 75 percent of the new diseases that have affected humans over the past 10 years have been caused by pathogens originating from an animal or from products of animal origin,” said Sean Callanan, dean at Ross.

“Our new relationship with the Bloomberg School provides another avenue for our students to develop their capacity to play a role in addressing 21st century health challenges.”

One Health recognizes that the health of people is connected to the health of animals and the environment. 

The goal of One Health is to encourage the collaborative efforts of multiple disciplines-working locally, nationally, and globally-to achieve the best health for people, animals, and our environment.

INNOVATE - New York Times Partners with Samsung for VR Journalism

The New York Times is expanding its Virtual Reality (VR) journalism with a new feature – The Daily 360.

Each video offers an immersive VR experience, following stories as diverse as election coverage to fiddling in the Canadian wilds.

The New York Times first stepped into VR with their NYT VR app, and mailing out Google Cardboards to each of their Sunday print subscribers. Although the app, and Google Cardboard, are not actually VR, they did represent a move towards more immersive editorial delivery.

The Daily 360 is a step closer to actual VR journalism, since the New York Times has partnered with Samsung and their Samsung Gear 360 equipment for shooting the immersive videos.

Although still a ways away from the level of responsiveness that marks true VR, such as what users are engaging with in the HTC Vive or the Oculus Rift, these immersive videos do create a particularly interactive and engaging new form of journalism.

And the Times signature focus on politics and current events isn’t the only area that might benefit from the new focus.

Times editor, Sam Dolnick, who is overseeing the VR initiatives, told Neiman Lab that “We’re also experimenting with formats. We’re looking at an experience that we jokingly call ‘meditative VR.’ These are single-shot, no-cuts videos of some beautiful place.”

This could allow users to engage with the digital magazine in a new way, opening up the potential to keep users engaged for longer periods of time, more regularly.

The current average user time within the Daily 360 videos is 6.5 minutes.

Another opportunity for the New York Times and other digital media outlets is in reaching a broader audience by ensuring their VR journalism is accessible.

Samsung has already worked with accessibility-focused designers like Katie Goode. Although the current focus of accessibility-in-VR work is in game development, as media outlets push forward into VR journalism, it will become more of an issue.

Accessibility in existing social media is already an area of significant research and development, and VR journalism will push that issue even further.

VR journalism is at the leading edge of incorporating new technology into media creation and consumption.

Although it does have the potential to open up new partnership and revenue streams for media outlets, it’s also risky. But these forward-thinking risks will become more common as the industry continues to struggle with plunging ad revenue and changing consumer demands.

By Tiffany Sostar

Tiffany is a writer, editor, academic, and animal lover who came late to her appreciation of pets. At 18, a rescue pup named Tasha saved her from a depression and she hasn't looked back. She has worked as the canine behaviour program coordinator for the Calgary Humane Society, and was a dog trainer specializing in working with fearful and reactive dogs for many years. She doesn't have any pets right now, but makes up for it by giving her petsitting clients (and any dogs she comes across on her frequent coffee shop adventures) extra snuggles.

AKC Partners With FidoTV

FidoTV is a new television channel that caters to dog lovers and is family friendly; it can be found on Dish Network in the United States. FidoTV will air canine-related movies and live events from across the world. It will also show scripted series, documentaries on hero and working dogs (including police dogs), and a reality show focusing on people picking their new dog.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) has partnered with FidoTV. Not only will FidoTV show the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship but the AKC will provide access to live conformation shows, information about dogs, and public service announcements. The AKC will also be able to offer their input on FidoTV programming.

Chairman of the AKC, Ron Menaker said, “We are beyond excited to partner with FidoTV on this new endeavor. This channel is unique and offers dedicated programming that will appeal to the large demographics of dog owners and dog lovers everywhere. We look forward to creating premium content and growing with the network.”

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PIJAC Partners With Pet Leadership Council

Last month, during a Top2Top leadership conference the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) Board of Directors voted to begin a partnership with the Pet Leadership Council (PLC). According to Ed Sayres, PIJAC President & CEO, this partnership will help provide government services to the pet trade to “help ensure the availability and health of the companion animals which are the heart of all of our businesses. This new partnership will also help protect consumer choice and be more proactive in promoting the industry and its positive programs, while advocating for the health and well-being of companion animals.”

The partnership between PIJAC and PLC allows PIJAC to work with PLC while retaining their independence as an organization. PIJAC will be able to share their experience and knowledge and combine it with PLC’s communication assets to benefit the pet trade.

Sayres said, “You—our members—still remain the most vital component to our work here at PIJAC. Without you, we cease to care for animals; we cease to have the breadth of expertise and knowledge that only you possess; without you, we cease to be PIJAC. This partnership means change, yes—but it also means that everything we have all come to love about PIJAC will continue. Membership in PIJAC is as valuable – and as vital – as ever. In fact, being a dues paying member of PIJAC has never been so valuable. Not only does your membership support the pet trade and continue to protect the availability of pets, it demonstrates your role in a united pet industry.”

PIJAC is committed to being transparent about any changes that may present themselves and share the information with members. Sharing the story of the pet industry requires the help and support of PIJAC members.

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Hill’s and VCA Charities Provide 1 Million Meals!

Starting in 2010, VCA Charities and Hill’s Pet Nutrition  partnered up in a pet food assistance program. In May 2015 the partnership reached 1 million meals provided to pets in need!

Five years ago the VCA Pet Food Pantry program was started and it is now operating in more than 20 locations across Canada and the United states. Art Antin, Chief Operating Officer for VCA Animal Hospitals said, “We started the Pet Food Pantry program to provide healthy, nutritious pet food to families who could not otherwise afford it in the local communities we serve. By providing these one million free meals, we have helped many families in need hold on to the loving and comforting bond their pets provide.”

Hill’s Pet Nutrition, which manufactures Science Diet, Prescription Diet, and Ideal Balance donates pet food to more than 50% of the United States based VCA Pet Food Pantries. Kostas Kontopanos, President of Hill’s Pet Nutrition, North America, said, “Our mission at Hill’s is to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets. We want to help transform lives, and this partnership with VCA Charities allows us to do that by keeping a pet with its family during a time of need when its unconditional love is most needed.”

   

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Partnership promises national registry for Canada’s service dogs

PRESS RELEASE

Partnership promises national registry for Canada’s service dogs

Calgary, AB - PetLynx Corporation and Medric Cousineau (Paws Fur Thought) are pleased to announce a new partnership that will benefit Canada’s service dogs and their owners.

Today, there are no national standards for training of PTSD service dogs in Canada forcing some provincial branches of the Royal Canadian Legion to put funding for these dogs on hold. Alberta/Northwest Territories Command is continuing to approve funding for PTSD service dogs provided certain guidelines are in evidence.

“Currently in Canada, there are no National Standards or National Registry for Service Dogs,” said Medric Cousineau, founder of Paws Fur Thought, an organization in Nova Scotia pairing service dogs with PTSD veterans. “The Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) has secured funding to write standards. Once in place, these standards will be used to produce an ID card and be recorded in the PetLynx National Registry.”

PetLynx operates as a national database of pet records that now holds 10% of the cats and dogs in Canada. Everything from a physical description and digital image, to all forms of identification and medical information can be stored as part of an animal’s record. By utilizing the system, breeders, trainers, educators, service dog owners and those who provide standards will have one place to manage the information that is important to them. Cousineau has agreed to assist PetLynx to develop other services that will ensure service dogs are protected for life while their owners have peace of mind.

“By providing the HomeSafe™ national registry and lifetime record, all authorized stakeholders have an opportunity to manage episodes during the life of each service dog,” said Larry Evans, the founder and Managing Director of PetLynx. “Moreover, the PetLynx system offers Return-to-Owner (RTO) services and ‘peace of mind’ for owners who wish to eliminate the chance of a dog becoming lost or stolen.”

It is estimated that there will eventually be more than 30,000 service dogs in the homes of veterans and first responders in Canada.  

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Shannon Woodward, Communications

(p) 403.208.1972 (e) Shannon.woodward@petlynxmail.com

ABOUT PETLYNX:  PetLynx Corporation owns the HomeSafe™ and Urban Animal™ brands:

The HomeSafe™ brand supplies a central Registry and Return to Owner Service for companion and service animals. The HomeSafe™ registry and lifetime animal record is managed by the animal owner to provide return to owner services, medical records, care profiles and connectivity to other registered and authorized entities. The mission of the HomeSafe™ brand is lifetime protection for animals and peace of mind for people.

PetLynx also owns the Urban Animal™ brand which supports those who deliver the products and services animal owners need. The mission of the Urban Animal™ brand is to increase the positive experiences for people and animals in each community.

PetLynx brands deliver value across the Internet to pet owners and communities. PetLynx is a proven game changer that has registered 10% of the total cats and dogs as well as the active consumers who own them and is now the largest, fastest growing and most recognizable pet brand in Canada.

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Acquisition, partnership and merger updates

Phillips Pet Food and Supplies will acquire PFX Pet Supply and its sister companies Pet Food Limited (PFL) and Pet Food Limited Colorado on 1 June 2013. In March, Phillips acquired Brentwood N.Y.-based Royal Pet Supplies. 

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Animal Supply Company has acquired Orrville, Ohio-based Wholesome Pet Distributing. the two companies will operate as Wholesome Pet Distributing and Animal Supply in their respective markets. This combined business will cover 33 states, represent over 300 pet product manufacturers and deliver to more than 5,650 pet stores. Animal Supply Company has made a series of acquisitions in the last two quarters. 

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Exclusively Pet, the marker of Exclusively Dog branded treats, has hired Chuck Latham Associates to provide sales and marketing support in the Southeast, Rocky Mountain and West Coast U.S. territories. 

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New partnership between CFIB and PIJAC Canada

PIJAC Canada and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) have joined forces to offer additional savings and member benefits. 

PIJAC Canada members will now have access to CFIB membership at a significant discount, increasing the value of their PIJAC membership. A project well over a year in the making, this partnership was a natural fit for both parties and a progressive move for the independent buisness sector. 

"Part of PIJAC Canada's vision is to be a leader in the advancement of a vibrant pet industry by following our core values which include collaboration," said Louis McCann, Council Executive Director. "This partnership opens a new chapter for PIJAC Canada, allowing us to expand tools and resources available for our Council members to assist them in their business operations." 

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Procter and Gamble partners with Verix

Procter and Gamble hopes to drive Business Intelligence with Verix partnership 

Procter and Gamble Company announced earlier this week it has formally initiated a strategic partnership with Verix Business Intelligence. 

The partership with Verix, a start-up technology company specializing in intelligent business alerts and pre-packaged analytical applications, is being pursued to further strengthen and build Procter and Gamble's capabilities and industry leadership in Business Intelligence.  

A Procter and Gamble press release notes the significance of collaboration with Verix with regards to business data analysis and identifying trend changes and insights. 

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