From Vet Couple to Compassionate Startup: How CodaPet Is Transforming Pet End‑of‑Life Care
When Dr. Gary and Dr. Bethany Hsia launched CodaPet, they weren’t just starting a business—they were answering a deeply personal call. Both seasoned veterinarians and lifelong partners, they leveraged their love of animals, entrepreneurial flair, and firsthand experience to meet a need nearly every pet owner quietly shares: a gentle farewell, at home.
From Pets to Practice to Passion Project
Bethany’s childhood sketched the blueprint: she comforted injured wildlife, cared for household pets, and studied biology and veterinary medicine with an eye toward building a career rooted in compassion. Gary’s own journey led through general practice, in-home euthanasia, and emergency relief work. When their beloved senior dog approached the end of life, the traditional clinic did not feel right. They brought the care home.
That moment—loving, intimate, calm—sparked an idea: what if every pet parent had access to dignified in-home euthanasia?
Turning Empathy into Enterprise
Driven by shared purpose, they joined forces with a third veterinary co-founder and launched CodaPet. Today the company operates across multiple metro areas, with hundreds of veterinarians delivering care in-home, on-demand. The Hsias built not only a service that pet parents embraced, but also a platform that resonates deeply with modern veterinarians—offering flexible schedules, meaningful work, and among the highest hourly rates in their profession.
” There have been many well published studies that report that around 80% of pet parents prefer in- home euthanasia, citing a desire for a more peaceful, familiar, and intimate and private setting,” says Dr. Gary, “ 2017 Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association study found that 90% of owners who chose home euthanasia rated it as “peaceful” and “dignified,” compared to 65% for clinic euthanasia.”
Their early traction was fueled by word-of-mouth—clients texted photos and heartfelt testimonials. Veterinarians joined quickly once they saw the model: care where clients live, loaded with purpose, and supported by technology that made scheduling and workflow seamless.
Adapting Tech in a Traditional Space
What sets CodaPet apart is how the Hsias infused a tech layer into one of the most emotional services in veterinary medicine. The company’s intuitive platform lets pet parents research, book, and prepare discreetly—without needing to verbalize their grief. On the clinician side, the vet app handles case information, travel logistics, and post-care follow-up, freeing practitioners to focus on what matters most.
They merged empathy, digital ease, and operational rigor—three ingredients rarely combined in veterinary services.
Building a Culture That Matters
Gary and Bethany didn’t let themselves be pigeonholed as just veterinarians. Before CodaPet, they ran a brewery and managed HR and social media for a restaurant venture. Those experiences informed their leadership style—human-centered, data-aware, and far from clinical. Bethany frequently engages with clients online, responding personally to their emotionally charged stories. That human touch has become the company’s hallmark.
And for team members, the mission resonates. There’s no burnout in seeing your work make someone’s final hours peaceful. There’s autonomy in setting your schedule. There’s purpose in bringing medical care into homes.
Scaling with Intention
From just founders working their local ZIP codes to a coast-to-coast presence, CodaPet has grown fast—but with intention. The team picks new markets based on demand, aligns with vets who share its ethos, and maintains strict quality control. The Hsias are already pivoting to content creation, professional training, and expanded service offerings—all while staying true to their mission.
In just a few years, they’ve built a company that not only bridges a gap in pet care—and has become a trusted part of grief support—but that also represents a new model for veterinary entrepreneurship.
If you'd like to learn more, you can find out why so many veterinarians are joining here.
