Blue Shield team walking through Lafayette Reservoir
Written by Lane Himmelman
This fall, 433 Blue Shield of California employees spent time with their furry friends in support of Pet Partners’ annual “World’s Largest Pet Walk.” This event is held virtually every year and is a national walk for pet owners and their pets to raise awareness and funds for therapy animal programs.
“Pets keep us grounded and make us feel happy and healthy,” said Kelly Stern, Blue Shield’s senior vice president of communications and corporate citizenship. “Pets provide companionship, manage loneliness, reduce stress, improve heart health, help children’s emotional and social skills, and help bring people together. We at Pet Partners We are proud to support Blue Shield’s mission and actively participate in the world’s largest pet walk each year.”
This event encourages people around the world to bring their pets, whether dogs, cats or other animals, to support the healing power of the human-animal bond. Participants can walk at their own pace and wherever they like. Funds the certification of therapy animal teams that promote physical health in people and animals and provide emotional and healing support in hospitals, schools, and other communities.
Kelly Stern and Maverick the cat
Kristen Cerf, president and CEO of Blue Shield Promise Health Plan, and her Bernadoodle, Dean, are also regular participants at the pet walk. “There are important links to health provided by the human-animal bond we share with our pets,” Cerf says. “The Pet Walk is a great way to support important causes and promote overall well-being through meaningful community engagement. Dean and I look forward to attending and supporting the Pet Walk each year. .”
Antoinette Mayer, Blue Shield’s vice president of corporate citizenship, said the nonprofit health plan’s continued relationship with Pet Partners makes sense. “We have a mission to ensure that all Californians have access to affordable, quality health care. Health care is more than medicine, doctors, and tests. Pet therapy is about recovery. “It can help reduce stress and promote more positive patient outcomes,” Meyer said. “Our employees love to contribute, we love to make a difference, and we love pets. Working with and supporting our pet partners is a great way to support nonprofit organizations that align with our mission. It’s a great way to get people involved, and it allows employees to get outside and improve their own health while also getting involved.”
Antoinette Mayer and her dog Charlie
Kristen Cerf and her dog Dean
Kelly Seymour and her dog Dolly Parton
Kelly Seymour, senior manager of IT digital employee experience in Blue Shield’s El Dorado Hills office, has seen firsthand the impact the Pet Partner Therapy program has on seniors, patients, veterans, and children. Her mixed poodle, Dolly Parton, is registered as a therapy animal through Pet Partners and regularly tours local hospitals, visiting patients in maternity wards, intensive care units, and emergency rooms. “As Dolly and I walk through the hospital hallways and patient rooms, staff and patients alike are thrilled to see Dolly patting her head or preparing a small treat,” Seymour said. . Dolly Parton also makes therapy appearances at local schools and memory care facilities.
This year marks the seventh year that Pet Partners has hosted the virtual walk and the sixth year that Blue Shield has hosted it. Year of participation. Blue Shield employees tracked more than 900 hours and donated $4,790, in addition to Blue Shield’s titanium sponsorship of the event.
For more information about Pet Partners, visit petpartners.org. To learn more about Blue Shield of California’s commitment to citizenship, visit citizenship.blueshieldca.com.
