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About Us
The myBalto Foundation is on mission to keep pets with the people who love them —
and to support the veterinarians who fight for them every day.
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"Because your pet's health shouldn't be based on what
is in your wallet."
Robert Parkins, DVM
CEO & Co-Founder
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Mission Statement
myBalto's purpose is to make pet care more affordable and to improve the lives of pets, owners, and veterinarians.
About myBalto
Every day across the country, pet owners are forced into heartbreaking decisions. Unexpected costs. Rising inflation. Limited resources.
Behind every one of these moments is a veterinarian who must deliver news that no one wants to hear:
"I can save your pet. But can you afford their care?"
Families feel helpless.
Veterinarians feel responsible.
Pets pay the ultimate price.
In an industry once considered recession-proof, veterinary care has become increasingly out of reach. Owners delay care. Hospitals struggle to stay open. And the veterinary community — a profession built on compassion — is burning out.
As veterinarians, we want to provide the best care possible for your pet. Instead of ignoring the growing cost of pet care, myBalto was founded to find innovative ways to take the stress of finances out of the equation for pet families in critical moments.
"myBalto"
myBalto is inspired from the true story of Balto, the Alaskan sled dog who helped deliver life-saving medication to the children of Nome, Alaska during a diphtheria outbreak in the 1920's. To honor Balto and his fellow canine companions, we combined his name with "my" to help individuals recognize the medical purpose behind our mission (as is common with myHealth, myChart, etc). With myBalto, we are providing innovative ways for veterinarians to provide critical financial support to their patients, mirroring the life-saving ethos of Balto and his historic journey.
Our Story
As an emergency veterinarian, Dr. Robert Parkins saw the same heartbreaking scene repeat itself far too often—pets who could have been saved, yet were among the two-thirds euthanized for financial reasons, and families who deeply loved them but couldn’t afford the cost of care.
The charitable options that existed were slow, restricted, and rarely available in the moment they were needed most. For veterinarians, that gap wasn't just frustrating—it was devastating.
Robert knew there had to be a better way. So he called his brother, Nathan, whose background in fintech gave him the tools to solve complex problems at scale.
Together, they designed a simple but transformative solution: hospital-owned Angel Funds that allow veterinary teams to say "yes" in real time. Immediate help. Flexible support. No unnecessary barriers stand between a pet and the care that could save their life.
What if we could redesign the way communities care for pets?
What if affordability didn't determine a pet's fate?
What if veterinarians could finally say yes more often?
The answer became the myBalto Foundation.
Our Community of Pet Care
The myBalto Foundation was built on a simple belief:
Care becomes possible when communities come together.
Through innovative technology and a community-driven model, we strengthen local veterinary hospitals and give pet owners access to help exactly when they need it most.
We do this through:
Angel Funds for Local Hospitals
Hospitals receive personalized, zero-cost funds to help pet owners in crisis — without absorbing the financial burden themselves.
Donation Multipliers & Fundraising Tools
Our platform amplifies every donation, empowering hospitals to raise dramatically more resources for care.
Technology Designed by Veterinarians
Our software makes fundraising simple, transparent, and sustainable for clinics nationwide.
A National Community of Donors
Your donation doesn't just help one pet — it strengthens a movement that saves pet lives.
Your Generosity Changes Lives.
"You didn't just save my dog — you saved my reason to live."
David, a disabled veteran, found purpose again through his dog, Eri. When she needed urgent care he couldn't afford, Summit Vet and the myBalto Foundation stepped in and changed both of their lives.
This is what hope looks like. Join us in helping more pets like Eri!
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Meet the People Behind the Mission
This foundation is led by veterinarians, innovative startup professionals, industry experts, and community advocates who believe pets are family — and that cost should never stand in the way of their care.
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Robert Parkins
DVM, CEO
CEOA life-long learner and health enthusiast, Dr. Robert's passion has always centered around helping others and bringing people together. As an emergency veterinarian for the last several years, he saw how having increased access to his patient's medical records often resulted in increased costs for pet owners. From that need spawned the creation of myBalto with his brother, Nathan. When not working to improve the lives of our pets, Dr. Robert spends time with his one-eyed husky, Loki, in the beautiful city of San Diego.
Board of Directors
Inspired by Veterinarians, Startup Professionals and Innovative Thinkers
Why Vet Hospitals Partner With myBalto
Veterinarians choose us because we understand the emotional and financial burden you carry.
We give hospitals:
- •A sustainable way to help more families
- •A fully managed, zero-cost angel fund
- •A fundraising platform that requires no extra staff time
- •Resources that reduce compassion fatigue and burnout
- •A community of support
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Are you a Veterinarian?
FAQ
Created by Vets. Trusted by Pet Families.
501(c)(3) Nonprofit
Vet-Founded
100% Tax-Deductible
Saving Pet Lives