In this episode of Dog Works Radio, Robert Forto interviews Sam Spoto, an ER veterinary professional who now works in the pet insurance world. Sam shares how years in emergency medicine shaped the way she thinks about insurance, unexpected vet bills, and the tough decisions dog owners are forced to make when money and medical care collide.

Listeners will learn when pet insurance makes sense, why timing is crucial, and how to avoid surprises hidden in the fine print of a policy.

What we talk about

• Sam's background in ER veterinary medicine and how she moved into the insurance side

• What she saw families struggle with most in the emergency room

• The real purpose of pet insurance (and what it's not meant to do)

• Why enrolling your dog while they're young and healthy matters

• How pre-existing conditions are defined and why they're such a sticking point

• How much families are typically asked to put down before treatment in an emergency

• Practical questions to ask before you pick a policy

• How to talk to your vet and your insurance company so you actually understand your coverage

• What Sam wishes every new puppy owner knew about insurance

• Sam's own podcast, "Tell Me About Your Dog," and how she's helping people choose the right dog and be better prepared.