A Legacy or Excellence
From PetRays to Golden Hour
Our Journey from PetRays to Golden Hour
King
The Beginning
Our journey began in late 2006 when our co-founders, who spearheaded a prominent national human teleradiology service, identified a void in veterinary telemedicine during a critical moment with their English Bulldog, King, faced a healthcare emergency. The absence of timely radiology interpretations for several days left an indelible mark. Frustrated by the inadequate service and the lack of swift veterinary teleradiology options, even for large-scale clinics, they were inspired to close this gap. Drawing upon their success and expertise in human teleradiology, they set out to transform the veterinary space. This vision materialized into the establishment of PetRays, an innovative company that swiftly became the recognized independent global leader in veterinary telemedicine and earned recognition as an Inc. 500 company multiple times.
The PetRays Era
PetRays thrived under the guidance and leadership of its founders for well over a decade. Throughout this span, while delivering exceptional customer service and consultations by board-certified veterinary specialists to clients globally, PetRays garnered a multitude of awards and accolades, both nationally and internationally. Among these honors were 54 American Business Awards,® 37 International Business Awards,® 46 Stevie® Awards for Sales and Customer Service, 10 Stevie® Awards for Women in Business, 18 People’s Choice awards, including Favorite Customer Service for five consecutive years. Noteworthy achievements also include being included in the Inc. 500 twice and earning induction into a business hall of fame in Texas.
In a remarkably brief timeframe, PetRays ascended to become the globally recognized leader in veterinary telemedicine services, extending its offerings to clients across six continents.
CardioVet Project
In April of 2012, King, the English Bulldog, tragically succumbed to an undiagnosed cardiac arrhythmia, inspiring the PetRays team to take swift action. In response, they assembled a world-class team of biomedical engineers, leading to the development of the first handheld ECG device driven by Bluetooth technology for both PC software and an iPhone app. Launched in 2013, this groundbreaking device simplified and revolutionized the process for veterinary clinics to obtain ECG consults from board-certified cardiologists. The digital CardioVet ECG device represented a significant leap forward compared to the analog telephone transmitters and other analog products prevalent in the veterinary market at that time.
Much like PetRays, CardioVet earned multiple national business awards, including eight American Business Awards® and four Stevie® Awards for Sales and Customer Service. These accolades encompassed multiple People’s Choice awards, recognizing it as the Favorite New Product and Favorite Customer Service.
The Original Team
The original PetRays team stands as the most distinguished customer service and support team within the veterinary industry. Boasting an average collective experience of 20 years in the telemedicine sector, the team has accumulated over 150 awards between 2009 and 2018, surpassing any competing telemedicine provider. These accolades hold immense significance, directly reflecting the team’s excellence in customer service, support, and the delivery of products and services. Notable awards include:
- Five Gold Stevie Awards from the American Business Awards® for Customer Service Team of the Year and Support Department Team of the Year.
- Three Gold Stevie Awards from the American Business Awards® for Support Department of the Year and IT Department of the Year.
- Four Gold Stevie Awards from the Stevie® Awards for Sales and Customer Service for Customer Service Department of the Year.
- One Gold Stevie Award from the Stevie® Awards for Women in Business for the Best Young Entrepreneur.
- Nine People’s Choice Awards for Favorite Customer Service.
- Ten People’s Choice Awards for Favorite New Products or Services.
- Two People’s Choice Awards for Favorite Company.
These awards hold particular significance as they directly correlate with the exemplary level of service and support consistently provided by team members. Moreover, our team members were voted winners of 21 People’s Choice Awards through worldwide public voting. This legacy of accolades and success stands unprecedented and unparalleled in the industry.
The PetRays Sale
In 2018, PetRays underwent a relatively quiet transaction, changing hands to one of several bidding companies. The name PetRays persisted under the ownership of the acquiring company; however, the commitment to robust R&D projects and staying at the forefront of technology waned. Nearly four years following the sale, PetRays found itself merged into a competitor owned by the same parent company as the initial purchaser. This transition triggered a significant departure of customers and former PetRays specialists. Now, with our non-compete agreement expired, the original PetRays founders, along with the majority of the award-winning team, have returned. Committed to preserving our legacy, we are more determined than ever to assist veterinarians in meeting their patient care needs, mirroring the level of excellence established from 2006 to 2018.
New Era - Golden Hour
Golden Hour has reconvened its award-winning team, and we take great pride in our exceptional dedication to excellence, setting us apart in the realm of emergency veterinary telemedicine. Each team member brings extensive experience, boasting an individual average of 20 years in the field of telemedicine. What’s more, every team member holds a Certificate in Telehealth from the American Heart Association. This additional certification underscores our team’s commitment to staying abreast of telehealth advancements, continuously honing our skills, and upholding the highest standards of service excellence and patient care. We firmly believe that investing in our team’s professional development translates directly into superior outcomes for the animals under our care and better customer service.
The impressive tenure and ongoing education commitment of our team position Golden Hour at the pinnacle of the industry. Our team members’ track record of success speaks for itself, having earned prestigious awards from esteemed sources such as the Stevie® Awards, Globee Awards, Titan Awards, Vega Awards, Viddy Awards, Great Places to Work, and the DotComm Awards, to name a few.
Our team stands unrivaled in expertise, qualifications, and a shared passion for delivering the highest level of care in emergency veterinary telemedicine. Together, we continue to push boundaries, set new standards, and ensure that every animal receives the care they deserve. The most decorated team in the industry is back, focusing on critical cases in radiology, cardiology, and critical care. Change is on the horizon!
