Interview with George Melillo

Hey, everybody, Adam Chrisman here from dvm360. I'm here with Chief Veterinary Officer and founder of Heart and Paw, Dr. George Melillo. How are you, my friend?

Well, thanks for having me. I gotta tell you, this is my first time in a Heart and Paw here in New Jersey, and this is beautiful. Tell us a little bit about it. 

Thanks. You know, I'm really excited that you're here and able to see firsthand what we've been kind of creating. Our challenge was really the same as to how do we treat pets and their parents and our team members like family the way no one else has. And I think a lot of the space shows that whether it's the comfort of the lobby—or courtyard, as we call it, the warm tones, the pet friendly aspect of it—to simple things like having natural light, and skylights for our team members. And it's our 28th Heart and Paw, our 10th de novo build. So, our most recent one, and I think we've got everything right in this location.

Yeah, I noticed that you have a separate entranceway for cat parents, which is great. They love that.

 We do, we do have a separate waiting room. We have a separate exam rooms. If we had to kind of board or do medical hospitalization, we have a separate area for cats only. 

Yeah. And I think it's such a good reflection on your internal teams. When you feel good. You have the natural lighting here. It's just a good reflection of how you're going to treat your clients and patients externally.

Right, exactly. I mean, our whole vision, the whole concept for Heart and Paw was to create a place for people who love to care for pets, veterinarians, vet care teams to be happy, healthy, and successful.

That's great. So, if someone like myself as a generalist is interested in partnering with Heart and Paw, how does that work?

Yeah, I mean, obviously, our go forward model is to build new hospitals such as this same prototype. And in a JV kind of co-ownership model. So, we're actually starting with a veterinarian, we want to identify that veterinarian who wants to be a co-owner, and really start with where they want to be. And we'll do some research and choose the right location together to build that hospital and to add it to the Heart and Paw family.

Oh, that's excellent. They have a lot of buy-in it sounds like.

Yes, they do, a lot of autonomy. For me, the biggest thing I can provide our doctors with well-being is autonomy.

Let them have control of what their day, career, week, future looks like as a professional.

That's fantastic. Well, congratulations on all the success and continued success of Heart and Paw. Wonderful. Love it.

Thank you so much. It's great to have you and dvm360.

Videos

Learn about the unique features and vision behind Heart and Paw’s pet care facilities

Inside Heart and Paw with chief veterinary officer George Melillo

Jb Minter, DVM, MS, DACZM, shares his excitement for our Fetch Charlotte conference

How conferences like Fetch can help zoo medicine

Jb Minter, DVM, MS, DACZM, director of Animal Health at the North Carolina Zoo, will be speaking at our upcoming Fetch conference in Charlotte, North Carolina and told 

 in an interview about what he is most excited about including seeing keynote speaker, Temple Grandin, Phd, MS, speak on Sunday, March 17. If you would like to see Dr Minter or Dr Grandin speak at our conference, 

 My name is JB Minter. I am the director of animal health and chief veterinarian for the North Carolina Zoo. And what that means is I oversee the animal health and welfare for basically 250 different species and about 1300 different animals here at the North Carolina Zoo.

One, I'm really looking forward to hearing Temple Grandin speak at this conference, she's going to be one of the keynote speakers. I actually have heard Temple Grandin speak at a couple other conferences, I really liked some of the work she does.

Also, the small and large animal conferences is where a lot of the new things are happening in veterinary medicine...I go to a lot of zoo conferences, obviously, and the new stuff is not happening there. The new the cutting edge stuff is happening in the small and large animal conferences. So, I'm always interested in going to the small animal conferences, because those are the places that I'm learning, hopefully, about some of the new things that are coming out and that people are trying in small animal medicine.

Jb Minter, DVM, MS, DACZM, shares his excitement for our Fetch Charlotte conference and what he is most looking forward to

Mark Cuban, Daneilla Morgan-Pascualvaca, Anya Babbitt, and Ben  Seidman (Image courtesy of Disney/Christopher Willard)

On Friday March 1, 2024, Mella Pet Care, a Chicago startup company, appeared on 

, a hit TV show from the ABC network. Anya Babbitt, CEO and cofounder, Ben Seidman, COO and cofounder, and Daniella Morgan-Pascualvaca, chief of staff, represented the company in front of the Sharks to pitch their array of products, including its underarm thermometer for pets. After their pitch, Mark Cuban offered them a deal.

“Who knew pets could fish? How do we at Mella Pet Care know – because Mella just hooked a great white shark! We are honored and elated to have received an investment closing our Shark Tank deal with Mark Cuban," said Babbitt, in an organizational release.

“His expertise, vision, network, and passion for pets and innovation will expedite the expansion of Mella's product offerings reaching a broader customer base. With Mark's support, we at Mella are confident in our ability to revolutionize pet care and make a positive impact in on the lives of pet owners and their furry companions.”

At the conclusion of their pitch and answering questions from the other Sharks, Cuban offered $250,000 for a 6% stake, a $4.2 million valuation, which the Mella Pet Care Team accepted.

 Mella Pet Care was created in 2019 after Babbitt’s dog nearly died as a puppy because there was lack of data available to diagnose and prevent the puppy’s health condition. The company’s product line hopes to give pet parents the opportunity to monitor their pets’ vitals and have that be integrated with their pet’s veterinary care. Mella also disclosed during the episode some products that are on the way, including chip reader and pulse oximeter and its Biggie Body Scale for body fat analysis.

"I am excited to partner with Mella Pet Care and support their mission of improving the lives of pets and pet owners,” expressed Cuban. “Their innovative product line aligns perfectly with the evolving needs of today's pet-centric society. Together, we will disrupt the pet care industry and bring forth solutions that empower pet owners and enhance the well-being of our beloved four-legged friends.”

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse conducted a study that revealed treating dogs and cats with axillary thermometers can significantly reduce the length of procedures when compared to traditional thermometers.

 The study used data provided by Mella Pet Care in relation to conventional thermometers and then observed veterinarians using both types of thermometers on different cat and dog patients for a year. The findings included an enhanced efficiency, improvements to patient comfort, and optimized clinical workflow.

“We have an incredible team and community of supporters that share our vision for changing pet health,” said Seidman.

 “We're not just building devices and software—we're creating a world where visits to the vet are seamless and stress-free, and where veterinarians can connect with pet parents like never before.”

At the time of the episode airing, the Mella Pro thermometer and its other products are being used by over 1300 clinics across 15 different countries.

Mella Pet Care secures investment from Mark Cuban on ABC’s ‘Shark Tank’. News release. Mella Pet Care. March 4, 2024. Accessed March 4, 2024.

Smith A. Shark Tank Mella Pet Care Update 2024 | Season 15. Shark Tank Recap. Published March 2, 2024. Accessed March 4, 2024. https://sharktankrecap.com/mella-pet-care-update-shark-tank-season-15/

Beyer O, Lueck A, Brundage C. Comparison of Axillary versus rectal temperature timing in canine and feline patients. Vet Sci. 2023;10(7):475. doi: 10.3390/vetsci10070475

Articles

Mella Pet Care receives investment from Mark Cuban after appearing on the hit ABC show 

Veterinary start up receives investment on Shark Tank 

Veterinary medicine is one of the few STEM fields that is dominated by women and incoming students are mostly women. However, even though women dominate the field, they are actually underrepresented in leadership positions within the industry and higher education. A new study published in the 

 found that more than 90% of veterinary students are women in some countries around the world. This study is the first to show that there's a gender imbalance in leadership roles in most veterinary schools globally, and it looks at the regional patterns. The research also highlights economic factors linked to gender equality in these settings.

To study this underrepresentation, researchers gathered data from 720 veterinary schools in 118 countries using an online search of each school's webpage to retrieve information on executive-level leaders and their gender representation. The data showed that out of 2263 executive leaders included, 784 (34.6%) were inferred to be women. Of 733 top executives—deans or their equivalents— shown on university websites, 187 (25.5%) were inferred to be women.

The study also found that wealthier nations and those with higher overall gender equity tended to have a higher representation of women in these leadership roles.

"The veterinary profession and the education system supporting it have been expanding rapidly worldwide," said Neil Vezeau, research project coordinator, in a release. “It’s only natural that we have efforts to monitor gender composition in a field undergoing substantial demographic shifts.”

The proportion of women at the executive level in education revealed to be a bit higher in the Scandinavia region, Russia, and Australia. The proportion was a bit lower in Mexico, Central America, and South Asia.

The United States had a proportion level of 0.5, meaning that half of the leadership positions for veterinary education were held by women.

 Most countries did not have an equal proportion. 

"We've been able to build a picture of how far we've come regarding gender equity, but also how far we have to go. Our results serve as an indicator for what might be occurring in other fields as well," said Julia Silva Seixas, a member of the research team.

The full study and data can be found in the 

Women are underrepresented in veterinary education leadership. News release. 

. February 27, 2024. Accessed March 4, 2024.

Vezeau N, Kemelmakher H, Silva Sexas J, et al. Characterizing global gender representation in veterinary executive leadership. 

Although a majority of veterinary professionals are women, there is a lack of women in veterinary leadership roles

Study finds shortage of women in leadership positions

Ольга Смолина/stock.adobe.com

 readers! March has kicked off a plethora of awareness holidays within veterinary medicine, including Pet Poison Prevention Week, National Pet Vaccination and Women’s History Month. Throughout March, dvm360 will be honoring and recognizing women in the industry paving the way for others as well as helping veterinary professionals educated clients on the importance of vaccinations and poison prevention.

Here is what you can find this week on dvm360.com:

Mella Pet Care, a startup company based in Chicago, recently secured an investment from Mark Cuban after the company presented some if its products on the most recent episode for ABC’s hit show 

Journal of Veterinary Medicine Education 

found that although women are the predominant professional and student populations, they still experience barriers to get roles in leadership.

 will be celebrating Women’s History Month by featuring women in veterinary medicine guests throughout the month. This week, Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, welcomes back Ryane Englar, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice) to chat about empathy and sympathy in the exam room.

As canine separation anxiety took center stage of behavioral issues after the COVID-19 pandemic, are veterinary teams recognizing feline separation anxiety as well? During dvm360’s coverage of Midwest Veterinary Conference, the article will touch base on how to recognize and diagnose feline separation anxiety in cats.

PEDIGREE Foundation announced its 2024 Grant Cycle and that $1 million in annual grants will be given to animal rescues and shelters that are working to put an end to pet homelessness.

Fetch Charlotte is now less than 2 weeks away, are you registered yet? Join the dvm360 team, faculty, fellow veterinary professionals, and more on March 15-17, 2024, to learn from key industry leaders and network. This is our first Fetch conference of 2024 and not one to miss so secure your spot 

Here is a sneak peek at this week’s headlines

Sneak peek: Veterinary start up secures investment on hit show Shark Tank, and other veterinary news 

Exceptional leadership in the veterinary sector profoundly impacts the quality of pet care and enhances the professional growth of their teams. Cultivating a culture of progression and staying well-informed of the latest developments in veterinary medicine, industry leaders can help maintain the standards and excellence in pet healthcare.

Various veterinary businesses and organizations recently announced new promotions and appointments. The following individuals are among those making career advancements:

Sharon Fernandez CEO, Independence Pet Holdings

Sharon Fernandez is now the new chief executive officer of Independence Pet Holdings (IPH), a pet insurance organization for North America. She has over 25 years of insurance industry expertise, having previously served as the CEO Insurance and Corporate COO at Buckle Insurance. Prior roles include president of Farmers Commercial Insurance, president of Bristol West Insurance, and executive vice president of operations at Farmers Insurance.

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead IPH at this exciting time," Fernandez stated in a news release. "With a full stack of resources, capital, and services that support a multi brand and omni channel approach, our talented leadership team is ready to take our brands and services to the next level to create a better future for pets and pet parents."

"I'm excited to announce the appointment of Sharon, which helps further our mission of building a better future for pets and pet parents," said Dirk Beeckman, CEO of JAB Pet Holdings, an affiliate of IPH. "With Sharon's extensive experience and proven results in the financial services industry, we're well-positioned to continue building and elevating products and solutions to simplify the pet parenting journey and improve the well-being of pets."

Fernando Delgado, chief growth officer, Bond Vet

Fernando Delgado was appointed as Bond Vet’s chief growth officer (CGO) and joins the veterinary clinic network with over 20 years of marketing and business experience. His past roles span across multiple industries, including retail and hospitality, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, and consumer packaged goods. Delgado’s most recent position was as the global head of marketing at CSL Plasma.

“I am incredibly excited to join such a mission-driven team dedicated to providing an outstanding client experience and great patient care,” said Fernando Delgado, CGO, in a release. “I look forward to bringing Bond Vet’s exceptional services to more clients and pets as we expand nationwide.”

“I’m thrilled to welcome Fernando to Bond Vet,” said Garrett Lewis, CEO of Bond Vet. “Fernando has spent his career focusing on customers and how brands can best serve them. I’m confident he’s the right person to bring our exceptional service to more clients and pets, ultimately growing Bond’s impact in both new and existing communities we serve.”

Adrianna Smith, president of Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association

Adrianna Smith, DVM, is now the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association’s 2024 president. Smith is from Chicago and received her DVM degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. After 3 years in general practice, she redirected her efforts towards community and shelter medicine. As a Louisiana SPCA member, she splits her time between community and shelter clinics and in times of disaster, Smith participates in response teams providing medical treatment, transport aid, veterinary relief, and community assistance.

Michael Kascask, vice president of talent acquisition, CityVet

Michael Kascask has joined the CityVet team as the vice president of talent acquisition. His most recent role, before joining CityVet was Head of SWE Sourcing for Google, North America and he has 20 years of previous experience in executive leadership roles within talent acquisition and recruiting.

“I’ve always loved pets and animals, so it is serendipitous that at this point in my career I’ve been given the opportunity to move into a new industry that marries my talent acquisition experience with an industry that is near and dear to me,” Kascask stated in the CityVet release.

At CityVet, Kascask will play a key part in aiding the company's expansion and his responsibilities include formulating strategies to enhance the efficiency of hiring processes and optimize them as the brand undergoes growth. This will entail facilitating the recruitment of new DVMs, veterinary technicians, and clinic staff to accommodate the opening of new locations.

“Michael brings a depth of knowledge about talent acquisition to CityVet and we are thrilled for him to join our growing team,” said CityVet CEO David Boguslawski. “We were impressed by his diverse background in various industries and are confident that his experience with skillfully managing the candidate journey to yield the best results for applicants and companies aligns perfectly with our goals as we continue to expand our footprint.”

Previously serving as the vice president of sales for CASCO Pet, Kevin DeWalt will now be the president of the company’s US business. DeWalt has been with the pet and veterinary company for almost 10 years and has thus far increased sales growth, expanded the customer base, and led successful teams.

"It’s a great honor to have been promoted to President at CASCO Pet, and I am very excited about the new opportunities this promotion will present. As a sales-driven leader, I look forward to working alongside our team in this new capacity on innovative and thought-leading products that are revolutionizing pet wellness globally and delivering real value to our customers,” DeWalt stated in the company’s news release.

"Kevin has been instrumental in growing our US operations over the past decade, and delivered impressive sales growth as our Vice President of Sales. This promotion is a recognition of his considerable contribution and expertise. With his passion for innovation and dedication to our customers, I am confident the business will go from strength to strength under his leadership,” said CEO, Matthew Bubear.

Independence Pet Holdings names Sharon Fernandez chief executive officer. News release. Independence Pet Holdings. February 13, 2024. Accessed March 1, 2024. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/independence-pet-holdings-names-sharon-fernandez-chief-executive-officer-302061124.html

Fernando Delgado joins Bond Vet as chief growth officer. News release. Bond Vet. February 15, 2024. Accessed March 1, 2024. 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240215332745/en

LVMA announces installation of 2024 association president. News release. Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association. January 30, 2024. Accessed March 1, 2024.

CityVet announces Michael Kascask as vice president of talent acquisition. News release. CityVet. February 22, 2024. Accessed March 1, 2024.

CASCO Pet promotes Kevin DeWalt to president of our US business. News release. CASCO Pet. January 26, 2024. Accessed March 1, 2024. 

https://cascopet.com/us/the-world-of-casco-pet/our-blog/casco-pet-promotes-kevin-dewalt-to-president-of-our-us-business/

Check out the latest news in the veterinary industry with these 5 recent promotions and appointments