5 Ways to Help Pet Families Say Yes to Care: Case-Based Strategies for a High-Cost World
0.5 CE Credit Hour / Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians
Overview:
Veterinary healthcare teams are seeing more pets present sicker and later as the cost of veterinary services continues to rise faster than overall consumer prices, and roughly one in three pet families would struggle to pay an unexpected $500 veterinary bill. In daily practice, this often shows up as challenging cost of care conversations, delayed decision‑making, increased team stress, and patients receiving less care. This 30‑minute, case‑based medical CE session focuses on practical, time‑efficient strategies to support access to care while maintaining clinical quality and trust.
Using common canine and feline scenarios such as urethral obstruction, arthritis, and acute surgical presentations, this session will walk through five actionable approaches that fit real exam‑room constraints. Attendees will see how to introduce financial considerations early, present guideline‑informed care pathways using a spectrum of care framework, apply clinical empathy techniques, and incorporate pet insurance and payment options.
This webinar is designed for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and practice managers in general, urgent, and emergency practice, with a focus on practical language, clinical decision frameworks, and team habits that support clearer communication and access to care.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Identify common ways cost and value considerations influence pet family care decisions for sick pets.
- Differentiate basic, intermediate, and advanced diagnostic and treatment pathways for at least three common companion animal conditions.
- Apply relationship centered care communication techniques that support early financial discussions and help pet families engage with an achievable care plan.
Dr. Emily M. Tincher
Dr. Emily Tincher is a collaborative leader who uses data-informed approaches to create sustainable systems that meet the needs of pet families, veterinary healthcare teams, and businesses. A second-generation veterinarian, she graduated from Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2016.
As Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Tincher manages strategy and operations for pet health programs, develops partnerships within the animal health industry, and directs engagement with veterinary healthcare teams. Before joining Nationwide full-time, Dr. Tincher worked at IDEXX in medical education and partnerships. She has practiced in small animal emergency and general practice and continues to practice as a relief clinician.
She is a frequent speaker on cost of care, spectrum of care, and communication, and co-authored a chapter in Veterinary Clinics of North America on veterinary care access and payment options and a JAVMA paper on pet family-centered approaches to care. When away from veterinary medicine, she enjoys exploring national parks, gravel cycling, and spending time with her husband Kyle, scruffy dog Sprout, and perfect orange cat Exploding Poptart.
This course is RACE-approved for 0.5 continuing education credits hours in jurisdictions that accept RACE-approval.
This activity is sponsored by Nationwide.
