Dutch Fortifies Leadership to Scale Veterinary Telehealth Dominance

OAKLAND, CA – January 08, 2026 – Veterinary telehealth platform Dutch has announced two strategic executive appointments, signaling a major push to solidify its market leadership and accelerate its next phase of growth. The company has named Dr. Kate Elden, DVM, as its new Chief Medical Officer and Michael Parness, a veteran of the pet consumer brand BARK, as its new Chief Marketing Officer.

The hires come at a critical juncture for both Dutch and the broader veterinary industry. As the company reports explosive growth, it is also navigating a complex regulatory landscape and positioning itself as a key solution to a nationwide shortage of veterinarians. These appointments underscore a dual strategy: strengthening clinical excellence and advocacy while simultaneously scaling a powerful consumer-facing brand.

“These hires reflect the evolution of Dutch as we build a category-defining brand and clinical platform,” said Joe Spector, Founder and CEO of Dutch, in a statement. “Dr. Elden brings deep clinical knowledge, leadership, and a passion for helping animals, while Michael brings decades of experience building and scaling global consumer brands. Together, they strengthen our ability to continue to help vets, pets and pet parents at scale.”

Bolstering Clinical Strategy and Advocacy

Dr. Kate Elden’s appointment as Chief Medical Officer places a seasoned veterinary leader at the helm of Dutch's clinical operations. Her mandate includes overseeing the company’s clinical strategy, expanding its network of affiliated veterinarians, and spearheading lobbying efforts to increase access to veterinary telehealth. This final point is particularly crucial in a market defined by a patchwork of state-level regulations.

Prior to joining Dutch, Dr. Elden served as the Medical Director of Veterinary Telemedicine at Companion Pet Partners and held multiple leadership roles at VCA Animal Hospitals. Her experience is rooted not only in clinical practice but also in developing and launching telehealth programs within traditional hospital settings. This background provides her with a unique perspective on integrating digital solutions into established veterinary workflows.

“At Dutch, we’re building a future where telehealth makes veterinary care a smoother, more accessible process for both pet parents and veterinarians,” Dr. Elden stated. “We have a rare opportunity to expand access to high-quality care while also supporting veterinarians with better tools, training, and sustainable ways to practice.”

Her role will be central to navigating the primary hurdle for veterinary telehealth: the Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR). Most states have historically required an in-person physical exam to establish a VCPR before a veterinarian can legally diagnose conditions or prescribe medication. While the COVID-19 pandemic prompted temporary waivers, the long-term regulatory framework remains inconsistent. Dr. Elden's focus on advocacy will be vital as Dutch works to influence evolving legislation, following recent shifts in states like Ohio and Florida that have begun allowing virtual VCPR establishment.

Scaling a Consumer Brand in a Clinical World

While Dr. Elden fortifies the clinical and regulatory backbone of the company, Michael Parness is tasked with capturing the hearts and minds of pet parents. As the new Chief Marketing Officer, Parness will lead Dutch’s brand and growth strategy. His arrival is significant, bringing a wealth of experience from his most recent role as a marketing executive at BARK, the wildly successful direct-to-consumer company behind BarkBox.

His track record at BARK, a company that built a massive, engaged community around pet products, is directly applicable to Dutch’s mission. The challenge is to translate that consumer marketing prowess to a healthcare service, building a brand that is not only accessible and engaging but also deeply trusted. His expertise in performance marketing and scaling consumer brands is expected to amplify Dutch’s story and reach a wider audience of the estimated 6,000 pet households for every one veterinarian in the country.

“Dutch is building one of the most trusted and progressive platforms in veterinary care,” Parness commented. “As the company enters its next phase of growth, I’m excited to help amplify that story and bring Dutch’s mission and values to even more pet parents in meaningful, authentic ways.”

Riding a Wave of Explosive Growth

The strategic leadership expansion is built on a foundation of remarkable growth. Since its launch in July 2021, Dutch has facilitated over 700,000 telehealth interactions. The company reports that it has consistently doubled its revenue year-over-year for the past three years. Furthermore, a strategic shift to annual-only memberships in 2025 reportedly doubled the company’s retention rates, indicating strong product-market fit and customer loyalty.

This performance aligns with the trajectory of the entire veterinary telehealth sector. The global market, valued at over USD 300 million in 2024, is projected by industry analysts to surge to nearly USD 2 billion by the early 2030s, fueled by a compound annual growth rate approaching 20%. Key drivers include the increasing humanization of pets, the demand for convenient and accessible care, and technological advancements in remote monitoring and AI-assisted diagnostics.

Dutch, which started by treating chronic conditions like anxiety and allergies, has since expanded to cover over 150 conditions and offers prescription services. Its subscription model, starting at $15 per month, provides unlimited virtual access, positioning it as an affordable alternative or supplement to traditional clinic visits, especially amidst rising veterinary costs.

Navigating the Future of Pet Healthcare

With its new leadership in place, Dutch is poised to compete more aggressively in a dynamic and increasingly crowded market that includes players like Vetster, Airvet, and Pawp. The company's success, and that of its competitors, hinges on its ability to offer a seamless, reliable service while navigating the complex legal landscape. The dual appointment of a medical advocate and a consumer marketing expert suggests a comprehensive approach to tackling these challenges.

By focusing on both veterinarian support and pet parent engagement, Dutch aims to create a sustainable ecosystem that addresses burnout within the veterinary profession while simultaneously closing the significant care gap for millions of pets. As more states reconsider their VCPR laws and pet owners become more accustomed to digital-first services, the path for telehealth appears to be widening. The effectiveness of this newly fortified leadership team will likely determine how large a share of that future Dutch can claim.