Healers PetCare Debuts Urban Walkers at the 2013 Global Pet Expo

Vancouver, Washington– Healers PetCare, a nationwide provider of pet wellness products announced that they would debut their new everyday paw protection booties, Urban Walkers, at the 2013 Global Pet Expo in Orlando, Florida on February 20-22, 2013.

Pet owners are paying more attention to the health and happiness of their pets. Recently, USA Today reported that a visit to the vet resulted in an average bill of $505. The old adage “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” can go a long way to save veterinary costs and pet wellness. Humans learned a long time ago that shoes protect our feet from the environment; we’re learning that protecting our pet’s paws makes sense too.

A dog’s paw pad is tough, but not invincible to injury. They can become damaged from hot cement on an 80-degree day, rough surfaces and ice, debris, or trace chemicals. To make matters worse, some dog boots on the market today have designs that can cause damage to the pet’s dewclaws and paws.

“We created Urban Walkers to help pet owners protect their pets and prevent common injuries from happening in the first place”, said Terri Entler, Healers Founder and CEO.

Urban Walkers are lightweight, machine washable and made of a breathable fabric. These booties promote airflow preventing bacteria build up on the dog’s paw.

The patent pending design, has a no-slip lining that keeps the boot in place and prevents twisting. The wrap-around strap with high tensile strength VelcroÒ creates a secure fit keeping the boot on even in adverse conditions. The non-skid soles are strong and flexible, providing the pet with a natural feel and movement as they walk or run.

Healers PetCare, Inc was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Vancouver Washington. Healers products were designed to improve wellness, provide protection, and encourage recovery for pets around the world.  Medical Booties and Dressings, Leg Wraps and gauze are part of the company’s recovery product line.  Urban Walkers is the first product in the protection line. Healer’s products are made in America and can be found at several pet stores, through veterinarians and at www.healerspetcare.com.

Contact:

Kathryn Shimabukuro
Kathryn@healerspetcare.com
709 NE 112^th Street, Vancouver, Washington 98685

PH: 800.924.7036
www.healerspetcare.com

Here’s a picture of Bernie in his new Healers. These are the L in the front and the M in the back. Perhaps by seeing the photo you can see if they fit properly.

In addition to having developed Wobbler’s Syndrome right before he was 2 years old, (two vets and a neurologist told us he would not live 6 months); Bernie came down with Myocitis in October. This is an auto-immune disorder that causes rapid muscle wasting to the muscles specific to the jaw and temple area. It is a horrific disease that causes excruciating pain. Bernie’s mouth was locked shut for over 3 weeks – he went down to 87 lbs. from 109 lbs. and was at death’s door (for the second time in his short life (4 yrs.). He had to be treated with massive doses of prednisone and is still on 15 mg. per day indefinitely. While he regained the ability to open his mouth and he has gained about 13 lbs., he has lost the muscles in his forehead. So, as you can see, his face is boney and his eyes look sunken in. The prednisone and weight loss caused muscle wasting in his entire body and he did not have the strength for several weeks to even lift himself. We used a fleece harness to help him get around. He endured painful ultrasound treatments 3x a week to his face to try to save as much muscle as possible and still has managed to keep his loving demeanor and spark for life. While the prednisone helped the myocitis, it suppressed his immune system which has accelerated his neurological problems. That is why the shoes are a complete necessity for him. Without them he just cannot get around.

Thanks for everything.

Elaine

Healers just released our newest boot- Urban Walkers- to our product line. We spent over a year testing and developing this boot with the National guide dogs for the blind and a shoe designer who has worked with Nike for the past 30 years. We are very proud of this new boot as it provides necessary protection for your pet in all harsh environments. The boot is similiar to your running shoes. It is made with a mesh that dries fast and allows moisture to escape. The sole is a synthetic leather that provides traction but is flexible so the dog’s can walk with their natural motion. Even the hook is different then you find on dog boots. Our hook is a high tensil low profile hook so it has the strength to hold even in freezing temperatures. It will not break down like most hook and loop. we are the only boot that has a right and left design so the dew claw is better protected.

One thing we learned through our testing with the National Guide Dogs is that the back paws are the larger dogs are slightly smaller than the front. They work with golden retrievers and buy larges for the front paws and mediums for the back. So to better serve our customers we decided to package in pairs so if needed you could purchase the best fit boot for all paws.

This new boot is an excellent addition to our line.The healer bootie works well after the pets paw is healed and you need a boot for around the home. Much like a slipper. It is perfect for hardwood floors and slippery surfaces. Our urban walker is a boot you can use for every day outdoor walking, preventing injuries from occuring in the first place. Best of all, both boots offer a wrap around design that provides the best possible fit so these boots actually stay on!

As usual all of our products are made here in the US. Check them out.

Take it from Terri Entler: If you can’t find a product that fits your needs, it just might be a sign that opportunity awaits.

A few years ago, the Vancouver resident noticed her German shepherd’s paw pads were severely injured from a summer hike. Seeking to help the healing process, Entler tried applying socks and gauze and fastening them with duct tape, but they came off, got wet and dirty, and stuck to the wounds. She could find nothing on store shelves or in veterinary offices that did the trick.

Finally, Entler, an engineer, went into her basement and came up with her own solution, sewing an outer layer of heavy-duty netting to a terrycloth lining and securing it with Velcro and a hook. Looking back, Entler describes her creations as “crude,” but they stayed on and breathed. Even the veterinary office where she took her dog was impressed, she said.

Entler turned a need into an entrepreneurial venture, founding Healers PetCare Inc. Its first product, Healers paw booties, evolved from her prototype. They feature a breathable, stretchable fabric; non-skid sole; and Velcro. The booties were tested for a year with veterinarians and released with a patented, replaceable gauze insert in September 2011.

Healers PetCare also sells a first-aid kit for dogs, which features 65 items including the paw bootie, the company’s elastic leg bandage with gauze, antibiotic ointment and an antiseptic towelette.

Christine Johnson, Entler’s veterinarian, who has lent Healers booties to owners of dogs with injuries or allergies, said Entler came up with a winner.

“It’s so easy to put on, and it stays on and is water-resistant,” Johnson said.

Entler, the company’s president and CEO, said Healers PetCare is poised for revenue growth. Next month, it plans to release Urban Walkers, the first in what she sees as a series of injury-prevention products for dogs. Entler anticipates overall sales will exceed $1 million by the end of 2013, up from about $100,000 recorded since September 2011. The projection is driven not only by new offerings, but also by regional distribution and national manufacturing deals she’s working on.

Entler said she expects the company to turn a profit by next year.

“I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel,” she said. “I’ll get a call from a customer saying, ‘This has helped my dog so much.’ Those kinds of things keep me motivated.”

Born in Portland and raised in Tigard, Entler always liked figuring out how things worked. She worked in banking for a time. When the youngest of her four kids was in first grade — they’re now 25, 27, 28 and 30 — she enrolled at the University of Portland, where she earned an electrical engineering degree. Entler also has a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix.

Entler said her education and experience as an electrical engineer in the high-tech field helped her learn how to bring products to market. She credits the Portland-Vancouver area’s “awesome entrepreneur community” for support and networking opportunities.

Healers PetCare Inc.’s latest product is Urban Walkers, booties that protect dogs’ paws when they’re on rough surfaces.Healers PetCare Inc.

Entler buys some materials from overseas suppliers due to availability, but she decided to have her products made domestically because, while costs of doing so are higher, it means greater quality control. Healers PetCare products are made by Vancouver’s Last U.S. Bag Co., and a second manufacturing line is being ramped up in Portland to support Urban Walkers, she said.

Most sales have come via the Internet, though Entler’s products are available at independent pet stores, small pet-store chains and veterinary offices. Entler said she’s made sales inroads nationally and internationally through trade show appearances and resulting word-of-mouth.

Orders are heavier in winter and summer. Eventually, Entler would like to make products for other animals, such as horses, which she said will soften the seasonal nature of the business.

The company’s most significant challenge is funding to execute its marketing plan and expand its product line. Entler, who relies on contractors as needed but does not yet have employees, said she secured a line of credit this year from Columbia Bank to grow the business and is seeking investors.

The biggest lesson she’s learned is the power of networking, given all that’s involved in moving a product from concept to market.

“People have bent over backwards to help us. It’s just been amazing the people I’ve met and the support I’ve had. The wealth of knowledge in this community is awesome if you can tap into it.”

Entler said she’s also realized the value of product testing, noting that she sells products in pairs rather than in fours because she learned that dogs’ front and back paws often are different sizes.

Lori Brown, training supervisor with Guide Dogs for the Blind Inc., said the nonprofit, which has an Oregon campus in Boring, provides dog boots to graduates and had been looking for a better-fitting product than what it has found on the market.

She said it’s been a “win-win” as her organization has tested Urban Walkers. And although the nonprofit has not seen a final iteration of the product, “we’re very interested,” Brown said.

“The nice thing about a small business is she has been great to work with,” Brown said. “Hopefully the final product will be one we can utilize on more of our dogs, if not all.”

Entler still works part time for a company that designs and assembles printed circuit boards. Eventually, she hopes to transition away from that work and devote her time solely to Healers PetCare.

“Obviously I have a passion for this,” she said. “You are putting in 16-hour days to get this thing going, so you’ve got to love what you are doing.”

 It is important we support these volunteers when we get the opportunity. Most organizations have websites where you can donate. On our home page you can donate to the National Search and Rescue Organization through our link at the bottom of the page.  Either way they need our support.  Please support them.

I personally want to thank the Clackamas Oregon Sheriffs department and all the volunteers that were out on the mountain searching for our family friends.   We are thankful that all turned out well. 

Terri

Well what an exciting year we have had. We have worked hard this year to build the foundation for a great company.  A company that was  founded here in Vancouver, Wa and conitnues to manufacturer all of our products in the US. Something our competitors can not say. 

With the support of the entrepreneurs network here in Portland and Vancouver we have been able to hit key milestones that will enable 2012 to be a year of meaningful growth. The veterinary community continues to rave about our product and we are seeing consistent referrals.  With the launch in October into retail we now are selling through three major distributors. In 2012 you will find Healers products  in several catalogs owned by the Potpourri Group, such as “ In the company of Dogs” , in a chain of Mini Pet Mart stores throughout Southern Oregon and in parts of Japan.  Our sales grew exponentially in 2011 and we hope the trend continues in 2012. 

To help meet our sales goals we will have a booth at the Western Veterinarian Conference in Vegas and a booth at the NW Sportsman show in February. In April you will see us at the HH Backers show in Atlantic City, NJ.   We will be finally launching our new and improved First Aid Kit in February.  This kit is the best on the market that is designed specifically for pets and carry our custom Healers product.   There isn’t a kit like it on the market today and a must for every pet owner.

So we want to thank you for supporting our products and following our progress.  My goal for 2012 is to provide a weekly blog to help keep you informed of what is going on. We expect another exciting year. 

Happy New Year!  Have a great evening and be safe.

Terri

President

I appreciate your support. The more I work with the veterinary communitee the more excited I get. What a great group of people who do so much for animals.  I can only hope my products can make their job easier.

Terri