How a Sweet Shih Tzu Started a Company and Changed Pet Lives

My name is Annette Uda, and while I am the founder of PetAirapy, it was a Shih Tzu named Tasha who was its inspiration. June 2018 will mark PetAirapy’s 10 year anniversary. During the past decade my company, which provides ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI aka UV) sanitizing technology for the animal care industry, and whose UV sanitizing products can be found in more than 500 pet care businesses across the U.S. and Canada, has grown exponentially, but its purpose has never changed from the first day PetAirapy began.

The PetAirapy story begins and continues thanks to my sweet, loyal, furry little girl Tasha, a Shih Tzu who suffered for years from environmental allergies that left her uncomfortable with sores, ear infections, loss of hair, and more. Her allergies became so severe that she was at the veterinarian office at least 5 times a year trying to get her symptoms under control and to help make her comfortable. She was given steroids, medicated shampoos, antibiotics, etc. It was horrible to see someone who I loved so much suffer and feeling helpless to do anything about it.

After several attempts to find out what she was allergic to I was told it was pet atopy or environmental allergies. I asked my veterinarian if there was anything I could do to prevent her from getting sick and the only thing she said was, “if you can control the source of the environmental allergies you can control the problem.”

Challenge Accepted!

I realized that she was in the house (especially winter time) about 90% of the time so I focused on how to change that environment for her. Based on my extensive research, we installed commercial, medical grade UV cleaning device in our home along with an allergen filter. The amazing result? In a very short time, Tasha’s allergy symptoms disappeared. After 12 months of Tasha’s continuing improved health my veterinarian was amazed and asked me what I was doing. When I told her, she said I needed to share this with everyone. At that point I realized that there was a great need for all animals that were housed together and, from there, I focused my career and passion on bringing UV sanitizing specifically tailored for the animal care industry.

Sadly, my Tasha ultimately passed away from dilated cardiomyopathy and, in my personal opinion, it was because of all the steroid shots she received. Not that we had a choice – she needed them. But, my promise to her was that I would do everything in my power to help protect every animal I could to provide the healthiest environment possible. Since then, PetAirapy has taken it to a whole new level. We have worked with veterinarians and research scientists, and have study-backed results. PetAirapy works exclusively in the animal care industry to protect every animal – from pocket pets to primates – in the care of groomers, veterinarians, boarding facilities and daycares, zoos, animal shelters, and anywhere animals are housed indoors to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases including Kennel Cough, Canine Flu, Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper, Feline Calicivirus, and Pet Atopy, Allergies, and Dermatitis.

For more information, I invite you to visit the PetAirapy website at aerapyanimalhealth.com or call us at 866-994-2473.