This week, we’re having a conversation that doesn’t get nearly enough airtime but impacts almost every pet parent at some point. I’m joined by Suzanne Cannon, founder of VetBilling, for a powerful and honest discussion about the money side of vet care and how we can make it less stressful, less overwhelming, and way more compassionate for everyone involved. Suzanne shares the personal story that inspired her to create VetBilling after experiencing firsthand what it’s like to be a loving, responsible pet parent who suddenly couldn’t afford care. Since then, she’s helped thousands of families access the treatment their pets need by partnering with clinics to offer flexible, judgment-free payment plans. We talk about the big difference between credit-based financing options like CareCredit, Scratchpay, or the All Pet Card and how VetBilling offers a completely different path, one that puts the relationship first and removes the fear of being denied based on a credit score. We also get into how VetBilling compares to pet insurance, and why, despite its growing popularity, insurance alone often isn’t enough to cover emergency or unexpected costs. If you’ve ever worried about how to afford vet care, want to feel prepared for the unexpected, or if you’re a veterinary professional trying to make it easier for your clients then this episode is a must-listen. 

KEY INSIGHTS:

• Why so many pet parents stay silent about financial concerns and how subtle hints often go unnoticed in the exam room.

• The emotional cost of care and why affordability isn’t just about price, it’s about flexibility and dignity.

• How clinics can create a “financially friendly ethos” with simple passive education (like social posts, brochures, and signage).

• The difference between someone who can’t afford care and someone who just needs time to pay.

• The psychology behind how we make financial decisions under stress and how that affects pet parents in emergency situations.

• Why CareCredit isn’t the right fit for everyone and how VetBilling fills the gap with human-first, clinic-controlled financing.

• How pet insurance works, why it’s not always enough, and how pairing it with a payment plan can make care much more accessible.

• Why it’s time to bring the same compassion we show during treatment to the financial side of care too.

• How VetBilling has helped thousands of families access care they would have otherwise had to decline.

• How Pumpkin Pet Insurance could be a game changer for pet parents. 

• And we explore how our fur babies really are our babies (and that’s why we’d do anything for them). 

  
  

  RESOURCES:

  We do offer payment plans through VetBilling for our clients at the Integrative Pet Wellness Center 💖

  
  

  And if you’re a vet and you’d like to implement this for your practise or you're a pet parent who wants to suggest this to your vet here is the VetBilling website 👇

  https://vetbilling.com/

  
  

  You can also find Suzanne’s free CE course on becoming a financially friendly clinic here

  https://www.introvetce.com/overcoming-barriers

  
  

  FOLLOW:

  VetBilling: @vetbilling

  Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com

  Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet

  Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet 

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