Bringing Vet Care Home: Grand Rapids Startup Revolutionizes Pet Wellness
In an era where convenience is king, a woman- and minority-owned startup in Grand Rapids is reshaping the future of veterinary care by bringing it straight to pet owners’ doorsteps. Vetr Health, founded in 2021 by Rachel Berkal and her fiancé, Sadoc Paredes, is on a mission to make high-quality pet care more accessible, affordable, and stress-free.
With the backing of Spartan Innovations, Vetr Health’s headquarters is nestled in the Doug Meijer Medical Innovation Building in downtown Grand Rapids. From there, the company coordinates a unique membership-based model that offers pet owners a cost-effective way to ensure their furry companions receive top-tier veterinary care without the hassle of traditional clinic visits.
The Inspiration Behind Vetr Health
Berkal and Paredes launched Vetr Health in response to the skyrocketing costs of veterinary care. Much like human healthcare, the veterinary industry has seen increasing consolidation by private equity firms, which Berkal argues has led to diminished quality of care for both pets and veterinary professionals.
“It causes a lot of adverse effects for the pets and for pet parents, and ultimately for veterinarians and vet staff,” Berkal shared with MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. “The rising prices pet parents experience at the vet is higher than any other pet spending category, like supplies or grooming.”
Between 2021 and 2024, veterinary care costs rose by 30%, according to Vetr Health. For many pet owners, this financial burden is coupled with the emotional stress of taking reactive or anxious pets to a clinic.
A New Approach to Veterinary Care
Vetr Health’s model eliminates both financial and environmental stressors by offering in-home veterinary visits through a membership plan priced at $50 per month. This membership includes two home visits per year with a veterinarian and a technician, vaccines, diagnostics, in-house lab testing, and unlimited telehealth consultations.
Unlike traditional clinics that often allocate only 15 minutes per patient, Vetr Health ensures each visit lasts 45 minutes, giving pets the time and attention they need. The goal is to provide comprehensive, preventive care that reduces emergency visits and unexpected costs.
“We are all living in this post-COVID world where we’re used to things coming to us, including virtual healthcare,” Berkal explained. “That’s why we felt like Vetr Health could absolutely serve pet parents—whether they want the convenience, they’re seniors or have disabilities, or they have anxious pets who hate going to the vet.”
Building a Community-Focused Veterinary Network
Rather than competing with traditional veterinary clinics, Vetr Health aims to complement them. While the company doesn’t perform in-home surgeries or certain procedures, it partners with local veterinary clinics to ensure pets receive the care they need in the best possible setting. Likewise, Vetr Health accepts referrals from traditional clinics when a pet would benefit more from home-based care.
“It’s really predictable for pet parents—they know what they’re getting for the year and that we have a continuum of care with our members,” Berkal said. “So if something comes up and a pet has an upset stomach, they can consult our team through telehealth as many times as needed. We want to be affordable and accessible to as many pet parents as possible.”
Looking Ahead
Since launching with a pilot group in 2022, Vetr Health has rapidly expanded, officially opening its services to the public last spring. Berkal, who left her corporate job at Meijer to focus on the company full-time, now leads marketing, financial planning, and veterinary partnerships.
With growing demand, Vetr Health has ambitious expansion plans. The company is set to extend its services into southeast Michigan, with an eye on future expansion into northern Michigan and the Traverse City area.
By prioritizing accessibility, affordability, and quality care, Vetr Health is not just changing how veterinary services are delivered—it’s setting a new standard for the industry. As pet ownership continues to rise and the demand for convenient, compassionate care grows, Vetr Health stands poised to lead the way in a new era of veterinary wellness.
