August 10, 2020
By Thom Somes, President and Co-Founder of Pet Tech

Executive Overview

For decades, the human-animal bond has evolved profoundly. Pets are no longer viewed merely as property or working animals; they are integral members of our families. We celebrate their birthdays, invest in premium nutrition, and share our beds with them. Yet, despite this cultural shift toward treating companion animals as cherished family members, a critical vulnerability has long persisted: the knowledge gap in emergency pet care.

When a human experiences a medical crisis, bystanders often jump into action with basic life support knowledge. CPR and first aid training are widely accessible, heavily promoted, and culturally ingrained. But what happens when a dog begins choking on a toy, a cat ingests a toxic household plant, or a beloved companion goes into sudden cardiac arrest? For generations, the default response for pet parents was sheer panic, followed by a frantic, high-speed drive to the nearest veterinary emergency room.

Enter Pet Tech, the world’s first international training center dedicated entirely to educating pet parents and pet care professionals in animal CPR and emergency first aid. Founded on a simple yet revolutionary question, Pet Tech has spent years transforming everyday pet owners into confident, capable first responders for their four-legged family members.

Led by Thom Somes—affectionately known as "The Pet Safety Guy"—the organization has set forth a monumental and audacious mission: To Prevent 1 Million Pet ER Visits. Despite the unprecedented disruptions of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Pet Tech has successfully trained more than 170,000 students, crossing the critical 17% threshold of their grand objective. This report examines the origins of Pet Tech, the philosophy driving its mission, the quantifiable impact of its educational programs, and the future of pet safety in an ever-changing world.

Detailed Chronology: The Genesis of an Industry

Every movement begins with a singular moment of clarity. For Pet Tech, that moment did not arrive in a polished corporate boardroom or a high-tech laboratory; it was born from observation, entrepreneurial instinct, and an unwavering love for animals.

The Question That Started It All

In the early days of pet care advocacy, most safety resources were strictly limited to veterinary professionals. Ordinary pet owners were expected to love their pets, feed them, and take them to the veterinarian when things went wrong, but they were largely left in the dark when it came to pre-hospital emergency care.

When Thom Somes and his co-founders began looking closely at the pet industry, they asked a foundational question: Why shouldn’t everyday pet parents and pet care professionals know how to administer life-saving first aid to animals just like humans do?

While many critics and traditionalists might have dismissed the concept as impractical or unnecessary, Somes and his team recognized a massive, unaddressed opportunity. They saw a world where preventable tragedies occurred simply because caregivers lacked the tools and training to intervene during the crucial first few minutes of a medical emergency.

Building the Foundation

Recognizing the gap, Somes set out to design a comprehensive, standardized curriculum that could bridge the divide between veterinary medicine and everyday pet care. This led to the creation of Pet Tech, establishing formal training protocols for pet CPR, rescue breathing, choking management, snout-to-tail wellness assessments, and disaster preparedness.

As the first international training center of its kind, Pet Tech faced the challenge of pioneering an entirely new market. They had to convince skeptical consumers that pet first aid was not just a niche hobby, but an essential responsibility of modern pet parenthood. Through tireless advocacy, educational seminars, and the establishment of a robust instructor network, Pet Tech gradually built a global community dedicated to animal safety.

Supporting Context & Metrics: The Crusade Toward One Million

To truly understand the impact of Pet Tech, one must examine the numbers. In the world of public health and safety advocacy, setting ambitious goals is essential for driving real-world change. For Pet Tech, that North Star is encapsulated in a single, powerful objective: Preventing 1 Million Pet ER Visits.

The 17% Milestone Amid Global Uncertainty

When the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe in early 2020, disrupting traditional educational models and forcing businesses to reimagine operations, many organizations pulled back. However, Pet Tech’s mission remained as vital as ever. With millions of people adopting "pandemic pets" and spending more time at home with their animals, the need for at-home safety knowledge skyrocketed.

As of August 2020, Pet Tech officially surpassed a major milestone: over 170,000 students trained in Pet CPR and First Aid. This achievement represents more than 17% completion of their ultimate one-million-goal.

The Logic Behind the Metric: One Student, One Emergency Prevented

A core philosophy within the Pet Tech community is the direct correlation between education and prevention. The organization operates on a foundational belief: Every student trained prevents at least one unnecessary Pet ER visit.

When a pet parent is educated in preventative care and early intervention, the outcomes change dramatically:

• Early Recognition: Trained owners can spot the subtle signs of distress, illness, or injury long before they escalate into life-threatening emergencies.
• Immediate Action: Knowing how to properly handle a choking animal or perform rescue breathing can stabilize a pet before irreversible damage occurs.
• Informed Decision-Making: Armed with first aid knowledge, pet parents can differentiate between true emergencies requiring immediate veterinary intervention and minor issues that can be safely managed or monitored at home, thereby reducing hospital overcrowding and alleviating financial stress.

Through this methodology, Pet Tech is not just teaching skills; it is systematically shifting the paradigm of veterinary care toward proactive wellness and injury prevention.

Official Statements and Philosophy: Improving Lives One Pet Parent at a Time

At the heart of Pet Tech’s operations is a deep-seated philosophy regarding the human-animal bond. In his keynote presentations and instructional videos, Thom Somes frequently emphasizes the core mission of the organization: "Improving the quality of pets’ lives, one pet parent at a time."

Meet "The Pet Safety Guy"

Thom Somes brings a wealth of experience, passion, and expertise to his role as President and Co-Founder of Pet Tech. As a renowned speaker, best-selling author, futurist, and dedicated pet parent—not to mention a proud "grandpaw" to his oldest son’s cat—Somes views pet safety through a holistic lens.

"Pet Tech really did start with one question," Somes reflects. "It was one question that some people would not have taken seriously, or not even considered as a possibility. Instead, it was someone like me who saw an opportunity! One of our Pet Tech goals is to ‘Prevent 1 Million Pet ER Visits,’ which is a lofty goal, but we are over 17% of the way as of COVID. That is, we have trained over 170,000 students in Pet CPR and First Aid. That impresses me! We also believe that every student we train prevents one Pet ER visit. And we do have several other beliefs that help us in our mission of ‘Improving the quality of pets’ lives, one pet parent at a time.’"

Somes’ approach combines professional authority with approachable, real-world practicality. He understands that pet owners are bombarded with conflicting information regarding animal health, which is why Pet Tech places such a heavy emphasis on standardized, scientifically backed training programs.

Future Outlook: The Next Horizon in Pet Safety

As Pet Tech looks beyond the milestones achieved in 2020, the organization remains steadfast in its march toward the one-million-ER-visit mark. The future of pet safety education is bright, driven by several emerging trends in the pet care industry:

1. The Rise of the Professional Pet Care Industry

With the explosive growth of professional pet sitters, dog walkers, groomers, and kennel operators, pet care has transformed into a sophisticated service economy. Clients increasingly demand that caretakers hold valid certifications in pet CPR and first aid. Pet Tech’s continued collaboration with industry professionals ensures that commercial pet facilities maintain the highest standards of safety.

2. Technological Integration and Hybrid Learning

The challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the need for flexible educational delivery models. By blending hands-on practical instruction with digital learning modules, Pet Tech is positioned to scale its training programs faster than ever before, breaking down geographic barriers and reaching remote communities.

3. Cultivating a Culture of Preparedness

Ultimately, Pet Tech’s long-term vision extends far beyond certification cards and training manuals. The goal is to cultivate a global culture where pet safety education is as commonplace as human first aid training. By empowering everyday pet parents with the confidence to act in a crisis, Pet Tech is ensuring that our furry family members live longer, happier, and safer lives.

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