We at Pet Airways love talking to interesting people, and Jack Stephens is right up there at the top of the list. He’s the founder of Pets Best Insurance, a Pet Airways partner that provides health plans for our best friends, our dogs and cats. In his spare time, he chairs the board of The Skeeter Foundation, dedicated to demonstrating the powerful positive benefits of the human-animal bond and supporting the work done by therapy dog teams at hospitals, nursing homes and other institutions. Stephens travels frequently on business, and more often than not one or more of his dogs comes along, so he’s an expert on pet-friendly travel.
Kim Thornton: I know you travel a lot with your dogs. What are some ways that you make
trips more comfortable for them?
Jack Stephens: They are crate trained and see the crate and their travel bag as “a good thing,” that when they are in it, they are safe, going somewhere and feel secure. My schedule has to revolve around their needs as well as my own and [they need to] have quiet time to sleep and rest, which at times is difficult with hectic schedules. I take their own food, of course.
Kim Thornton: Where do your dogs travel with you?
Jack Stephens: Everywhere. Mostly business. One year, six of them did a 4,000-mile vacation with my wife and me. They come to the office every day.
Kim Thornton: How will Pet Airways make the skies more pet-friendly?
Jack Stephens: Pet Airways is a great way to take your pet across country safely and comfortably, especially larger dogs, which cannot ride in the cabin under the seat. It also gives
them potty breaks and VIP attention that otherwise can only be accomplished by driving across country taking several days.
Kim Thornton: You were at the forefront of pet health insurance in the 1980s. Do you feel like it’s finally coming into its own? If yes, what was the impetus for that?
Jack Stephens: First, pets are family. They are less and less disposable when ill or injured because of the human-animal bond. Second, veterinary care is increasing dramatically due to pet owners wanting the best for their pet, more diagnostics that are expensive, and more
specialists for pets, which are expensive.
Kim Thornton: Everyone thinks about getting pet health insurance for their dogs, but
they don’t always give the same consideration to their cats. Why is that, and how can insurance improve the lives of cats and their people?
Jack Stephens: The problem is that people think cats, especially if indoors, are less inclined to become sick or injured. While accidents are less likely for indoor cats, cancer and other illnesses are not less. Another factor is that cats hide their symptoms better due to their quiet, non-active nature and natural tendency to hide illness from predators, which is built into their genetic and behavioral makeup.
Kim Thornton: What should people know about purchasing pet health insurance?
Jack Stephens: Only get a plan that pays a flat percentage of your vet’s bills, not one that pays
from benefit or fee schedules. That way, no surprises in the reimbursement. This has hurt the image of pet insurance. Second, ask your vet or a friend who has had experience which companies provide the best coverage and service. Otherwise, it’s hard to tell from simply looking
at websites. Call and talk to the company with any questions, and remember that insurance does not cover conditions already present.
Kim Thornton: Will we be seeing pet travel insurance any time soon?
Jack Stephens: With Pet Airways, the pets will be covered for accidents with Pets Best
coverage.
Kim Campbell Thornton
Pet Airways Writer
