Approximately 75% of pet telemedicine appointments can be handled through virtual care alone, without entering a clinic
Toronto – Today, TELUS Health announced the Ontario launch of TELUS Health MyPet, a virtual pet care platform that brings together experienced local veterinarians and dog and cat owners to provide care for a range of pet issues. health, from nutritional management and parasite control to behavioral issues and the prescription of certain medications, all through an easy-to-use smartphone app. Developed on the heels of our fastest growing and highest rated virtual care service – TELUS Health MyCare – TELUS Health’s MyPet platform is designed to ensure pet owners have access to support they need, including those who live in remote areas or whose pets do not travel well in vehicles.
“High-quality patient-centered virtual care should be available to all members of our family, including our beloved dogs and cats,” said Juggy Sihota, Chief Growth Officer, TELUS Health. “The arrival of MyPet from TELUS Health in Ontario is another example of how we are leveraging our cutting-edge technology to not only empower people around the world to take a proactive role in their own health and that of family members, even furry ones, but also how we support thousands of healthcare professionals, like veterinarians, with the flexibility to meet the growing demand for their time.
According to a 2021 Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) survey of pet owners, nearly 75% of telemedicine appointments can be handled through virtual care alone, without a trip to the clinic. While not intended to replace physical exams, vaccinations or in-person testing, MyPet from TELUS Health is a complementary platform available to support dog and cat owners in Ontario with preventative health care and interventions. non-emergency medical.
Virtual assistance for non-emergency situations is also a convenient way for homeowners to get information and assistance while avoiding long wait times and avoiding the added expense and stress sometimes associated with on-site care. person. With MyPet from TELUS Health, visit notes are accessible within the app and medical records can be shared with a regular family veterinarian to ensure continuity of care. This is especially important, for example with newly adopted cats transitioning into their “forever” homes – according to Humane Canada, Toronto has the highest number of cat adoptions of any city in the country.
As evidenced by the successful launch in British Columbia in August 2022, physical veterinary clinics that want to better triage patient appointments can also use TELUS Health’s MyPet virtual care service as part of their regular practice. By routing non-emergency cases to the virtual veterinary care team, it helps alleviate some of the burden veterinarians face and allows them to focus more of their attention on effectively treating dogs and cats in need of hands-on care.
“The current reality in clinical veterinary practice is that we simply don’t have the time we once had to consult with our clients in depth, and with the general shortage of vets across the country, physical clinics are under continued pressure. to provide services,” said Ko Arman, Chief Veterinarian, TELUS Health MyPet. “By providing non-emergency cases with the care they need through a virtual platform, we can reduce some of the stress on clinics and help to provide much-needed flexibility and time management support, which will ultimately provide veterinarians with a better balance between work and family life.”
The TELUS Health MyPet app is free to download for iOS and Android smartphones, and consultations with Ontario-based veterinarians are billed by the session. The platform saw an incredible response from pet owners and veterinarians following the inaugural launch in Western Canada; plans to expand into other provinces throughout the year are underway. In Ontario, all veterinarians who work through TELUS Health MyPet are affiliated with Pet Telemedicine Veterinary Care of Toronto.
As part of this launch, Trupanion, Canada’s leading medical insurance provider for cats and dogs in Canada, is also waiving enrollment fees for TELUS Health MyPet users when they purchase a Trupanion policy, offering pet owners the most extensive medical insurance coverage with unlimited payments for the life of their four-legged family members.
Visit MyPet from TELUS Health at the Canadian Pet Expo
Dog and cat owners from across the GTA are invited to learn more about MyPet from TELUS Health at the Canadian Pet Show, taking place April 7, 8 and 9 at the Mississauga International Center (6900 Airport Road, Mississauga, ON). Canada’s largest indoor family pet festival, CPE opens its doors so you can explore the world of responsible pet companionship with interactive exhibits, entertainment and more. Visit TELUS Health MyPet at booth 913.
About Trupanion
Trupanion is the leading provider of medical insurance for cats and dogs in Canada with over 740,000 registered pets in Canada, the United States and Australia. The company was founded in Canada in 2000, and for over two decades Trupanion has been providing pet owners peace of mind so they can focus on their pet’s recovery, not the financial stress. Trupanion is committed to providing pet owners with the highest value in pet medical insurance with unlimited payments for the life of their pets. Trupanion is the only provider with the technology to pay vets directly within seconds at checkout. Based in Seattle, WA., Trupanion is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol “TRUP”.
Trupanion policies are underwritten in Canada by Omega General Insurance Company and sold and administered by its wholly owned subsidiary Canada Pet Health Insurance Services, Inc. dba Trupanion and in the United States by its wholly owned insurance entity American Pet Insurance Company. Trupanion Australia is a partnership between Trupanion and Hollard Insurance Company. For more information, please visit trupanion.com/canada.
About TELUS Health
TELUS Health is a global healthcare leader serving people in more than 160 countries, delivering both digital innovations and clinical services to improve physical, mental and financial health and well-being in the entire spectrum of primary and preventive care. By leveraging the power of technology to deliver connected solutions and services in person and virtually, TELUS Health is improving access to care and revolutionizing the flow of information while facilitating collaboration, efficiency and productivity. for physicians, pharmacists, health authorities, healthcare professionals, insurers, employers and people around the world, advancing its vision to transform healthcare and empower people to live a healthier life.
Our clinical team is made up of renowned and passionate healthcare professionals from around the world, delivering the best people-centered care to hundreds of thousands of employers, professionals and their families.
For more information, please visit: www.telushealth.com.
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Jill Yetman
TELUS Public Relations
416-992-2639
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