Member Stories

AFT family gets protection for heart-stealing puppy

Union Plus Content Team

October 6, 2022

Brie is a mutt. Likely a mix of Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd, she's a little over a year old, furry, playful, and very much loved.

"She's got a cream color like a dairy product," says Brie's owner, Bruce Kube, a hematology supervisor at a university hospital and a member of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 2190. "[The name] Cream wasn't good. Milk didn't apply, so we thought, Brie! Yeah, Brie!

Kube and his wife Carolyn, who is also a union member, adopted Brie in January 2022. “She licks our faces and climbs on top of us," Kube says. "Dogs are my life."

As seasoned dog owners, the Kubes knew that while puppies are cute, they can also be expensive. They decided to look into pet insurance through their unions and considered a few different options before settling on the Union Plus Pet Insurance plan, offered through Pets Best.

Pets Best offers union members up to 10 percent off monthly premiums¹ and a choice of three types of plans with flexible coverage options, helping members get reimbursed up to 90% on their eligible vet bills.* There are no annual or lifetime limits and no networks – members can choose any licensed veterinarian, emergency vet, or specialist in the U.S. You can submit claims easily with the Pets Best mobile app or online customer account, and they even offer free direct deposit for claims reimbursements. Pets Best also offers free 24-hour access to veterinary experts via email, chat, or phone for everything from emergency care to behavioral advice.

"Pets Best had the best coverage of all the plans that we looked at," Kube says. "I'm happy with it. It's much better than paying [full price] for each visit." He adds, “We take advantage of the union benefits. My philosophy is it’s foolish to not get discounts when you can.”