Questions on VPI's IQ test delve into canine behaviors that are essential to determining the overall smarts of a dog. From rating their potty training abilities to describing their reaction when the food bowl is relocated, candid answers to these queries shape the final analysis of a pet's canine comprehension. Dogs ranking in the lower percentile are categorized as ‘boneheads’ or ‘a few kibbles shy of a full bowl,’ while overachieving canines are honored with ‘valedogtorian.’ After completion of the Canine Aptitude Test, each pet owner is provided not only their pet's ranking, but also tidbits about their dog's preoccupied thoughts, human career option and famous personality equivalent.

“Our Canine Aptitude Test is one of countless examples of how we have broadened our Web appeal by catering to the emerging pet parent community,” said Lorin Young, VPI's vice president of marketing. “In addition to content on pet health insurance, we've expanded our Web landscape using the Pet HealthZone to include everything from pet horoscopes to health-related articles that tackle topics like pet first aid and animal toxicity. The Pet HealthZone strikes the perfect balance of authoritative medical knowledge and interactive pet-related fun.”

The Pet HealthZone features free content authored by on-staff writers, VPI veterinary personnel, and third party pet experts. Its diverse presentation of information combines pet health subject matter with an eclectic mixture of pet caregiver advice. “A new pet owner could conceivably seek help choosing the perfect name for their puppy, print out an essential pet care checklist, read their dog's horoscope, and grasp pet first aid basics all in one visit to the Pet HealthZone,” added Young. “It's an invaluable online source for any pet owner.”

Daily features on the Pet HealthZone include: pet health care articles (six new write ups each week); a pet owner tip of the day (grooming pointers, how to adopt a pet, etc.); in-depth articles focused on pet ownership, pet behavior and new pets; pet horoscopes for dogs and cats; monthly contests where site visitors can win pet-related prizes; archived libraries of Pet HealthZone content, providing point-and-click access to past content; a ‘link of the day’ alerting readers to compelling pet-related stories found on prominent Web sites; and a Web diary from VPI's president that covers relevant pet insurance topics for the layperson.

Certain subject matter on the Pet HealthZone is mirrored in VPI's new Pet WellCare Education Series, a host of printed informational material designed to help veterinary hospitals educate pet owners on key pet health issues. Currently, brochures dedicated to Pet Toxins and Poisons, First-Time Pet Owners and Pet First Aid are located in hundreds of veterinary hospitals across the country and are featured and elaborated on in the Pet HealthZone.

Future additions to VPI's Pet HealthZone will attempt to add exciting elements of interactivity to the site. Tentatively planned enhancements include a ‘Pet Guru’ blog and access to instructional videos on proper pet care.

VPI's Pet HealthZone is located at www.petinsurance.com/healthzone.