Toronto-based Healthy Pets has launched with $500,000 in seed funding from Arlene Dickinson’s District Ventures Capital.
Dickinson will also be joining Healthy Pets as a board member. Healthy Pets founder Emma Harris pitched the company on an episode of Dragons’ Den, where she accepted a $125,000 offer from Dickinson. However, she ended up settling at $500,000.
“As the parent of a pet that has experienced health issues, I understand the stress that comes with trying to recognize when it is or isn’t time to visit the clinic.”
– Emma Harris
“I was extremely impressed with Emma’s idea and her passion in the Den. Her entrepreneurial spirit is infectious,” said Dickinson. “Healthy Pets’ innovative approach to pet care and the growing pet services industry in Canada made it an ideal business for my fund, District Ventures Capital, to invest in and partner with. We are very much looking forward to seeing the growth of this business and to work closely with Emma.”
Healthy Pets — a telemedicine service that connects pet owners to certified veterinarians — will use the funding to scale its operations and expand its network of veterinarians across Canada.
“Nearly 63 percent of Canadian millennials own pets, and as the parent of a pet that has experienced health issues, I understand the stress that comes with trying to recognize when it is or isn’t time to visit the clinic. It’s those first-hand experiences that inspired me to start Healthy Pets,” said Harris. “Appearing on Dragons’ Den gave me an incredible opportunity to connect more Canadians with vets through telemedicine and I couldn’t be more excited to work with Arlene and the team at District Ventures Capital.”
Users can opt for a single 15-minute session, costing $40, or choose an annual subscription for $10 per month, which includes access to four consultations annually. After the four consultations have been used, each subsequent appointment is offered at a discounted rate of $25 per appointment.
“Healthy Pets is a valuable tool to reach patients in a new way,” said Dr. Sarah Hansford, medical director for Healthy Pets. “The platform allows vets to expand their practice and implement a flexible working schedule outside of regular clinic hours.”
Photo via Unsplash
