Even before the pandemic, pet ownership in the U.S. had been on the rise for decades. Adoption and ownership, however, come with responsibility. A recent report found one in two dog owners expressed some regret for adopting or purchasing a canine.

Many factors add to the stress of owning a pet, including schedules requiring employees to return to the office and rising costs for veterinary care and prescriptions. There is a way brokers and employers can help – offering pet insurance as a voluntary benefit to their workforce.

In this podcast called "Ruff times with your dog? Pet insurance can help," BenefitsPRO contributor Michael Krieger speaks with Nationwide executives David Hurley, Director of Sales for Voluntary Benefits and Member/Specialty Groups, and David Fowler, Manager for National Account Executives at Nationwide pet.

During the discussion, these experts discuss:

• How pet insurance can offset rising costs from veterinary bills and pet prescriptions.
• Why pet insurance has become such a desirable benefit for employees and by offering this type of voluntary benefit, brokers and employers can better support their workforces.
• How helping employees reduce their stress can address issues such as presenteeism.

This podcast episode is the second of a series called Nurturing Employees' Relationships with Pets Brings Rewards for All, which is hosted on BenefitsPRO and sponsored by Nationwide. Click here to listen to the previous episode.