August 10, 2020
By Thom Somes, President and Co-Founder of Pet Tech
Executive Overview
In the modern household, pets are no longer viewed merely as animals living in the yard; they are cherished family members, confidants, and indispensable companions. Yet, despite the deep emotional bonds we share with our dogs and cats, a critical vulnerability remains: when a medical emergency strikes, the average pet parent is drastically unprepared. Traditional veterinary care, while remarkably advanced, is reactive. By the time an injured or choking animal reaches a clinical setting, critical minutes—and potentially a life—may have been lost.
Enter the realm of proactive animal welfare and emergency preparedness. Founded on a singular, visionary question, Pet Tech emerged as a pioneer in pet safety education, establishing the world’s first international training center dedicated to teaching Pet CPR and First Aid. Led by industry visionary Thom Somes—affectionately known as "The Pet Safety Guy"—the organization has spent decades bridging the dangerous gap between home environments and clinical veterinary interventions.
This comprehensive report examines the trajectory of Pet Tech, tracking its origins, its ambitious mission to prevent one million pet emergency room (ER) visits, and the profound cultural shift it represents in modern pet parenthood. Through rigorous training programs, international expansion, and an unwavering commitment to animal advocacy, Pet Tech is redefining what it means to care for our four-legged family members.
Detailed Chronology: From a Single Question to a Global Movement
Every transformative enterprise begins with a disruption of the status quo. For Pet Tech, that disruption started not in a sterile corporate boardroom, but in the unpredictable, dynamic trenches of everyday pet ownership and community engagement.
The Genesis of an Idea
Long before Pet Tech became a household name among professional pet care providers and dedicated pet parents, the market lacked a standardized, accessible method for everyday people to learn emergency animal care. While human CPR courses have been commonplace for decades through organizations like the American Red Cross, the concept of administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation or emergency first aid to a canine or feline was viewed by many as an impossibility or an unnecessary niche.
Thom Somes, however, viewed this institutional blind spot through the lens of opportunity. Recognizing that millions of households faced daily risks—ranging from choking hazards and toxic ingestions to vehicular accidents and sudden cardiac events—Somes asked a foundational question: What if everyday people could be empowered to act as first responders for their own pets?
Building the Infrastructure
Answering that question required more than good intentions; it demanded the creation of an entirely new educational paradigm. Somes and his co-founders set out to build a comprehensive curriculum that could translate complex veterinary emergency procedures into actionable, easy-to-understand techniques for non-medical professionals.
This led to the establishment of Pet Tech as the premier international training center for pet CPR and first aid. The curriculum was meticulously designed, peer-reviewed, and structured to cater to two distinct audiences:
- Pet Parents: Everyday individuals seeking peace of mind and the practical skills necessary to protect their furry family members.
- Pet Care Professionals: Groomers, boarding facility operators, dog walkers, and trainers who bear a professional responsibility for the safety of animals entrusted to their care.
Over the years, the organization expanded its footprint far beyond its domestic origins, developing a robust network of certified instructors who carry the mission across state lines and international borders.
Supporting Context & Metrics: The Crusade to Prevent One Million ER Visits
In the nonprofit and educational sectors, mission statements are often lofty, abstract ideals that sound inspiring on paper but lack measurable impact. Pet Tech shattered this mold by establishing one of the most quantifiable, ambitious goals in the history of animal welfare: To prevent 1 million pet ER visits.
The Mathematics of Prevention
To understand the gravity of this goal, one must analyze the correlation between early intervention and clinical outcomes. According to veterinary data, a significant percentage of pet emergencies—such as choking, minor lacerations, heatstroke, and mild poisoning—escalate into life-threatening crises simply because immediate, correct first-aid measures are not applied at the scene.
Pet Tech operates on a powerful foundational hypothesis: Every student trained in Pet CPR and First Aid prevents, on average, at least one unnecessary or catastrophic pet ER visit.
By equipping pet owners with the knowledge to recognize early warning signs, stabilize breathing, manage bleeding, and safely transport animals in distress, the organization effectively cuts off emergencies before they spiral out of control.
Overcoming the Odds: The Milestone Amidst a Global Crisis
The true measure of an organization’s resilience is tested during times of systemic disruption. When the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe in 2020, disrupting traditional educational models and forcing businesses to reimagine operations, Pet Tech achieved a staggering milestone.
Despite the unprecedented societal lockdowns and economic uncertainties, Pet Tech officially surpassed 17% of its ultimate goal, having trained over 170,000 students in Pet CPR and First Aid.
This milestone is not merely a numerical achievement; it represents 170,000 households where pets are safer, where owners possess the confidence to handle crises, and where veterinary clinics have been spared avoidable emergency overloads. Crossing the 170,000-student threshold during a global pandemic underscored the essential nature of pet safety education, proving that the bond between humans and animals remains a top priority even in times of crisis.
Official Statements and Leadership Vision
At the heart of Pet Tech’s enduring success is its leadership, whose philosophy blends rigorous preparedness with deep, empathetic advocacy for animal welfare.
Thom Somes: "The Pet Safety Guy"
Serving as President and Co-Founder, Thom Somes has spent decades championing the cause of animal safety. As a best-selling author, sought-after speaker, futurist, pet parent, and self-proclaimed "grandpaw" to his oldest son’s cat, Somes brings a holistic perspective to the organization.
In discussing the core philosophy of Pet Tech, Somes emphasizes that the ultimate mission extends far beyond mechanical medical procedures. It is about fundamentally elevating the standard of care for companion animals.
"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!"
Somes frequently reiterates the direct impact of the organization’s educational framework:
"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.’"
This human-centric, empathetic approach ensures that technical training is always anchored in the profound emotional connection shared between owners and their pets.
Future Outlook: The Next Frontier in Pet Safety
As society looks beyond the disruptions of the early 2020s, the landscape of pet ownership continues to evolve at a rapid pace. With millions of new pet owners entering the fold—largely driven by lifestyle shifts during the pandemic—the demand for reliable, authoritative pet care education has never been higher.
Scaling the Mission to One Million
With over 170,000 students successfully trained, Pet Tech’s trajectory points directly toward its ultimate destination: the realization of one million prevented ER visits. Achieving this requires continuous innovation in educational delivery. The organization is aggressively expanding its digital capabilities, refining hybrid learning models, and empowering a new generation of certified instructors to reach underserved communities.
Professionalizing the Pet Care Industry
Beyond individual pet parents, Pet Tech is setting its sights on raising industry-wide standards for commercial pet care providers. As boarding facilities, doggy daycares, and grooming salons face increasing public scrutiny regarding animal safety, holding a Pet Tech certification is rapidly transitioning from an optional resume booster to an indispensable baseline requirement. Insurance providers and consumers alike are beginning to demand that anyone handling animals professionally must be certified in emergency response.
Sustainable Support and Community Building
True to its grassroots origins, Pet Tech continues to foster a tight-knit community of advocates, trainers, and pet lovers. Even seemingly modest initiatives—such as sourcing and sharing premium, locally made products (like the all-American liver treats championed by the team)—reinforce a holistic lifestyle centered on health, safety, and uncompromising quality for our four-legged family members.
Conclusion
The story of Pet Tech is a testament to the power of visionary thinking, resilience, and unwavering dedication to animal welfare. What began as an unconventional question has matured into an international movement that has saved countless animals from unnecessary pain, trauma, and medical distress.
As Thom Somes and the Pet Tech team march steadily toward their goal of preventing one million pet ER visits, they carry with them a clear and enduring message: when we educate ourselves, we do more than learn emergency techniques—we honor the profound trust our pets place in us every single day, improving the quality of their lives, one pet parent at a time.
