BETTER Together

One dog’s medical emergency inspired a new kind of community, connecting pets, their people and the professionals who care for them

When Kristy’s dachshund mix, Ten, suddenly began experiencing back pain, she knew something was wrong. By the end of the day, his hind legs had stopped working.

Kristy had spent more than a decade working in veterinary medicine. But after returning to the Eastern Shore from Texas, she hadn’t yet rebuilt the professional network she’d come to rely on. Now she was the worried pet owner, trying to find help.

Ten ultimately underwent emergency surgery at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School of Medicine. The experience changed how Kristy viewed an industry she thought she knew inside and out. “All of a sudden, I had this whole new perspective on the owner’s side of things,” she says. “It was a big wake-up call.”

For years, she’d devoted her career to supporting veterinary professionals. Ten’s emergency showed her how much owners need that support, too. “We are all a part of the same ecosystem,” she says.

FOR THE LOVE OF ANIMALS

Enter Coastal Pet Collective, a Berlin-based network connecting pet owners, pet-care professionals and rescue organizations throughout the Maryland and Delaware beach communities.

Kristy began working as a kennel technician in 2014. By 2020, she was helping open a veterinary clinic in Austin, Texas, where she continues to manage operations remotely. Her work gave her an appreciation for the people behind animal care, especially those whose dedication often comes at a personal cost.

“I’ve seen how hard it can be,” she says. “I’ve seen the way that people sacrifice to help these animals.”

It’s a demanding profession, physically and emotionally. Veterinary technicians, rescue workers and other caregivers often give far more than pet owners realize. “There’s compassion fatigue that comes into play,” she says.

Over time, Kristy discovered that her interest wasn’t only in helping animals. It was making sure the people who helped them could continue doing the work they loved. When she returned to the Eastern Shore in 2023, she began developing an idea to help local animal professionals build supplemental income through pet sitting, dog walking, grooming and other services.

She knew how to help them navigate insurance, bonding and the business side of pet care. “That’s what I do,” she says simply.

Then Ten’s medical emergency expanded her vision.

Today, Coastal Pet Collective offers owners connections to trusted professionals while giving those professionals opportunities to network, grow and support one another. Kristy personally meets members and checks the references, credentials and backgrounds of those providing services.

A CIRCLE OF SUPPORT

The Collective’s next big step is its Pet Partner Program, planned for 2027. The concept brings together three groups: pet professionals, rescue organizations and owners.

Participating professionals will volunteer with rescue partners, providing extra hands for organizations that often operate with limited resources. Rescues can refer adoptive families to trusted professionals. Owners gain a network of services, guidance and people willing to help.

Kristy calls it “a 360-degree circle.”

The Collective also offers networking events, industry meetups, volunteer opportunities and other resources. Registration is free for local pet owners, pet-care professionals and animal-related organizations.

But Kristy has an even bigger concern.

“Not many people realize how we as a society are truly trending toward a reality where owning pets and caring for them properly is going to be a luxury at best,” she says.

As veterinary and other pet-care costs rise, she worries about families who want to do everything possible for their animals but don’t know where to turn.

She hopes the Collective can connect them with resources, guidance and support before they feel they’ve run out of options. “Let us help,” she says. CS

Learn more at coastalpetcollective.org.