American Pet Professionals Welcomes New Members

(PRESS RELEASE) BABYLON, NY – A record number of new members have joined American Pet Professionals since early 2018 and have continued to do so throughout the year. New members represent startups in the pet technology and pet app space as well as many new pet product manufacturers, financial services for pet businesses, pet sitters, pet media and pet organizations. Since its inception in 2009, American Pet Professionals has always allowed pet professionals from all areas of the industry to join.

“Our organization has grown tremendously this year, with so many new types and categories of members in the pet industry from all around the country. I absolutely love seeing what our members have created as a businesses and animal educational organizations alike. I am thrilled to announce our new members and encourage everyone to visit their websites on our Membership Directory and learn more about what they do,” said Nancy Hassel, president and founder of American Pet Professionals. “I am excited to welcome each new member, help them with their business goals, referrals, connections, questions and look forward to working with them in 2019!”

New members include:

Pet Technology and Pet App Companies:

• Jason Hanny of the Pet Connect App, which is a free pet owner app that connects them with pet businesses making it easier to find the resources they need. And it gives pet businesses a way to meaningfully engage current and new clients with easy-to-use targeted marketing, custom-built profiles and more. Jason is based in Arlington, VA, and is VIP member.
• Siva Marimuthu of RV PetSafety, which is a pet technology and app based product that monitors the pet’s environment and temperature and alerts you when they are in danger. Created for people that travel with their pets in RV’s and cars. Based in Palo Alto, CA and are VIP Members.
• Casey Isaacson of DigDates, the Dog Person’s Dating app that launched in February of this year and helps connect dog people based on what’s most important to them when it comes to dating. It was built by sisters, Casey and Leigh Isaacson who are based in New York, NY and New Orleans, LA.
• William Loopesko of PuppTech, which is brand new pet product that detects the temperature and humidity, has a built in microphone, GPS, wireless connectivity and will alert pet parents by text via the app on their smartphone if their pet is in danger. The device can be used in car, boat cabin, anywhere you’re traveling with your pet and even provides a safety feature showing passers by that the pet is safe. Pupptech is based in Denver, Colorado.
• Lars Rissman of the Groomit App, which is an app that pet parents can get pet grooming on demand with certified pet groomers at the time they request and in their own home. Currently servicing New York City, northern New Jersey, Westchester, Connecticut and San Diego. Groomit is based in New York, NY.
• Lowell Kaufman of Well Informed Pet app, which is a pet app revolutionizing the pet health industry by offering easy access to a pet’s health information. Based in New York, NY.

Pet Product Manufacturers:

• Gay Jensen, owner of Golden Wellness Dogs, which makes turmeric products for dogs, which help prevent, join inflammation and provides healthy immune support. Gay is a VIP Member based in Manchester Center, Vermont.
• Immacula Pierre, CEO of Iconic Paws which is a pet product manufacturing company that offers natural and healthy treats and supplements for dogs. VIP Member based in Woodbridge, VA.
• Jim Umlauf and Brian Devening of 4KNines who make premium car seat covers built by dog owners for dog owners. Engineered to out perform and outlast other covers on the market. 4KNines donates a percentage of each sale to animal advocacy groups. VIP Members and based in Oklahoma, OK.
• Zsolt Sapy, COOof Smoke Alarm Monitoring an affordable, wireless solution to monitor your family and pets and property in the event of a fire. Keeping your pets safe even when you are not home! Visit their website to see how this incredible technology works. Zsolt is a VIP Member and based in NY.
• Zel Crampton the CEO and founder of Diggs which just launched a brand new line of pet products including the ‘best crate ever’ raising the standard of living for dogs everywhere. Based in Brooklyn, NY.
• Gretchen Mannix of South Fork Pets who make handmade dog treats, with healthy, wholesome and all-natural ingredients that are locally sourced in the Hamptons, NY.
• Shane Whelan of Pet Containment Systems and PetFenceology, which is a proposal and automation software designed to help pet fence companies grow and harmonize they way they do business. VIP Member based in Milford, MI.
• Sherri Davis, CPO of Amuse Pooch, wholesome, artisan dog treats made with single ingredients. Made in the USA and based in New York, NY.
• Michael Caruso of Raptor Shield, which is a armor like vest for dogs to protect against birds of prey picking attacking and picking up a small dog. It is the only product on the market to protect dogs from hawks, raptors and other birds of prey. Based in River Grove, IL.

Veterinarian/Pet Medical Supply:

• Stella Kim Founder and CFO of MixLabRX, which is a compounding lab that works with pet owner’s veterinarians to make personalized pet meds for their pets. Based in New York, NY.

Pet Retail/Ecommerce:

• Corey Abramowitz, Founder of BarkYours which is the online destination to by and sell unique and beautiful dog-themed gifts and crafts online. BarkYours just launched this year. Corey is based in New York, NY.
• Marshall Morris COO of iHeartDogs that is a manufacturer and online distributor of products for pets and the people that love them. They partner with their customers (1 million to date) on every product to make a big impact in shelters. With that support they have provided 10 million meals to shelters, 100,000 toys and much more. Based in Anaheim, California.

Media:

• Lauren Collier of Lauren’s Crazy Pet Show, a media company that travels covering pet news and showcasing pet businesses, animal rescues, pet events and much more. Lauren was a TV anchor for many years on News 12 Connecticut. She is based in Shelton, CT.

Pet Health:

• Arden Moore of Pet First Aid for You a Pet Health and Safety teaching pet parents and professionals about pet health, safety, first aid, CPR and more. Arden also hosts the popular pet podcast Oh Behave! Arden is based in Houston, Texas.
• Anastasia Kvyatkovskaya Founder of DogHauz. Anastasia is a K9 Fitness Coach and Nutritionist offering canine wellness coaching for pets using dog training and exercise, healthy eating made at home and much more! Anastasia is based in New York, NY.
• Lindsey Campbell, Co-Founder and VP of TEEF! Daily Dog Dental Care. TEFF is a plant based prebiotic that outsmarts the bacteria in your dog’s mouth – including the bad bacteria that forms plaque, creates gum disease and attacks teeth. TEEF! uses nontoxic nutrients that wash over their teeth and gums every time they drink their water, creating a healthy and fresher-smelling mouth. Product launching in Q1 in 2019. Based in Minneapolis, MN.

Graphic & Website Design:

• Kaila Piepkowof Dox Design is a design and development studio that focuses on creating compelling designs for pet-friendly and pet-focused businesses. VIP Member based in Grand Rapids, MI.

Pet Sitting & Dog Walking/Boarding:

• Liz Freitag Owner of Peninsula Pups Doggie Daycare, the leader in the market of dog daycare for Erie’s canine community. We provide a safe and stimulating environment in which dogs can socialize, exercise and just be dogs in their natural state as a pack. They offer many services and pet products at their location based in Erie, PA.
• Heather Curatolo of Paws on Pine a five star rated dog walking, pet sitting and concierge servicing lower Manhattan, NY.
• Florence Dixon Owner of In Home Pet Services of Westhampton Beach that offers pet sitting, dog walking and pet care services. Based in Westhampton Beach, NY.

Pet Event Organizers:

• Leslie Kennedy, Director of Barking Beauty Pageant– that organizes and hosts one-of-a-kind competition for dogs, and beauty pageants that benefit animal charities & civic organizations. Founded 2006. Leslie is based in Westhampton Beach, NY.
• Sonali Nigam of PetMinded Co., a pawfriendly concierge business offering pet parents services, pet education and pet-friendly events based in New York, NY.

Pet Friendly Organizations:

• Beth Miller, Founder & CEO and Tom Everhart, CPO of WagTown. Wagtown sets responsible and genuine standards for the term, “dog friendly.” Our mission is to lead the movement to create a Wagtown® community for everyone. To do this, we advocate for dog-friendliness through research, consulting, leveraging big data, education, marketing, and empowerment. Based in Centerville, Ohio.

Financial Service Companies:

• Steven Cron and Loren Shuman of Benchmark Payment Networks which provides electronic payments to merchants in all 50 states and many countries. They offer a comprehensive suite of products and services. Tailing credit card processing programs for the special business needs of financial institutions, independent sales organizations and agents and now also helping pet businesses. VIP Members based in Cold Spring Harbor, NY.
• Jeri Ann Cook, Founder of Sunstone Bookkeeping a bookkeeping company that focuses on the finances for pet businesses so they can focus on their passion, taking care of animals. Based in Stratford, CT.

Non-Profit Organizations:

• Sass Levine, Founder and Executive Director of DogAbility Center. DogAbilityCenter’s mission is to provide innovative canine-assisted experiences, using certified therapy dogs with skilled handlers, that afford comfort, inspiration, socialization, education and recreation to better the lives of people of all abilities in the community. Based in Syosset, NY.

In 2018, American Pet Professionals offered many new membership benefits to members, including free live learning events monthly on Facebook; accessible downloadable content; hosted events in various locations in the country; and information for pet professionals at every level to help their businesses, animal rescues or non-profit organizations. “In 2019 we have even more new membership benefits to be added, which we cannot wait to announce in the New Year,” said Nancy Hassel.

Membership dues are annual, with different levels to choose from for non-profit animal rescue and organizations, solo-entrepreneurs, and corporate businesses. Membership dues are increasing in 2019, so anyone interested in joining and becoming a membership should do so before Jan. 1.

For more information, go to www.AmericanPetProfessionals.com. To contact Nancy Hassel, call (631) 446-1105 or email Nancy@AmericanPetProfessionals.com.