Scott Steinford, Founder Carson&BearIn the pet food industry, which can often be a confusing landscape for pet parents, Carson&Bear stands out as a beacon of change. Founded in 2022 by Bridgette Chambers, Ph.D., and Scott Steinford, the company is not just about manufacturing and selling the best dog wellness products; it's about revolutionizing pet wellness. Driven by the heart-wrenching loss of their beloved pets, Chambers and Steinford are reshaping the concept of dog longevity. Their vision of a world where dogs and their humans share longer, healthier lives together, was born out of personal pain and a deep love for their furry companions.

Bridgette Chambers, Founder Carson&Bear

The duo is committed to transforming the system that governs how markets produce and sell products for dogs. "We believed then, and even more so today, that dogs and people can live longer, happier lives together if we can innovate and steer the market toward wellness," Chambers explains. "This innovative approach is not just about business; it's about making a tangible impact on the lives of pets and their owners. Our unique selling proposition lies in our commitment to transparency, trust, and technological advancements that prolong pet lives, setting us apart from our competitors.”

Three-pronged Approach for Success

Carson&Bear takes a three-pronged approach to ensure pet health and longevity. First, they prioritize scientifically backed, veterinarian-formulated nutrition. Their SuperFood™ topper is designed to enhance the nutritional value of any dog food, supporting dogs' longer lives with pet parents who prioritize optimal nutrition. This veterinarian-developed formula is intended to improve the bioavailability of nutrients in any dog food, supporting dogs in living longer with pet parents who make nutrition a priority. The products are not just about enhancing the nutritional value of dog food; they are about extending the lifespan and improving the quality of life of furry friends.

Secondly, transparency is not just a value but a fundamental pillar of Carson&Bear's approach. Frustrated with misleading marketing claims in the pet food industry, the company has developed the TailScore™ app. This empowers pet parents to navigate the complex world of dog food options where, despite the alluring packaging, many end up with low-quality dog food. Chambers shares, "Dog food is a thriving industry, worth more than $45 billion in the U.S. alone. Some incredible companies are innovating dog nutrition and offering excellent foods. Still, it's challenging to know whom to trust when faced with over 7,000 bags of dog food, all boasting amazing packaging and claims." The TailScore app allows pet parents to scan any bag of dog food and instantly see the nutritional makeup of the food, including the ingredients, allowing them to make better choices for their dog's diet.

Finally, their industry-first LifePromise™ guarantees that dogs on their program will live longer than their breed's average lifespan, or they'll get subscription money back. Their comprehensive program includes daily use of the vet-formulated SuperFood™ topper, access to the widely used TailScore™ app that evaluates commercially available varieties of dog food, access to a nutrition clinic with specialized veterinarians and nutritionists who can create breed-specific diets, and a variety of additional resources, such as wellness and kitchen resources.

While some may scoff at the idea of guaranteeing a pet's lifespan, Carson&Bear is betting on a future where data-driven wellness plans and a commitment to transparency become the norm.

Delivering on Promises

TrustTransparency™ is a driving force behind Carson&Bear, as designed by Steinford and championed by Chambers. Steinford says, "We are helping pet owners gain more time with their beloved pets and more love. Love is trust, and trust is love. To deliver on that promise of time and love, we must act transparently to show our customers and employees that they can trust us to deliver." 

With such a focus on TrustTransparency™, relationship is the heart of Carson&Bear's leadership philosophy. Employees work in partnership with the company to achieve the shared goal of giving people more time with their furry best friends. As such, they are encouraged to do the work they need on their schedule, allowing them the flexibility and initiative to make a difference in dogs' lives while partaking in their own. "Everyone at Carson&Bear is here because we believe they are the best at what they do and have shown they have a heart for our mission. We trust our employees, and they trust us," says Steinford. 

Trust, Transparency, and Technological Advancement

Carson&Bear is based on a simple vision: to contribute to a world where healthier pets and people live longer together. To do that, the company aims to shift the market toward trust, transparency, and technological advancements in products and services that prolong pet lives. The team believes passionately in the founders’ vision of people enjoying more time with their furry best friends. Achieving that vision requires a deep commitment to science and the highest level of excellence, as shown by the research and manufacturing processes. Chambers says, "We are blessed to have a team of people who care deeply for people and pets. We have audacious goals and work closely as a team to translate those goals into reality. Our shared purpose makes our work meaningful and our future bright."

Going Above and Beyond

As part of their mission to extend the life and health of every pet by providing a comprehensive approach to wellness, nutrition, and education for pet parents, Carson&Bear has initiated the Rescue Wellness program. This innovative program seeks to end the return of dogs to shelters after adoption. 17% of dogs are returned to the shelter after adoption, causing them to have more extended stays in shelters and a significantly higher risk of euthanasia. By taking dogs out of high-risk shelters and providing them with training and nutritional support, the Rescue Wellness program helps connect these dogs with families who have been educated on dog care. The program's dream is to help every dog find a family and every family find a dog. Steinford says, "All dogs are good dogs. We aim to increase the number of dogs that find their best family through training and education and prevent the needless death of good dogs in our community." 

Always Evolving and Elevating

Carson&Bear is committed to providing a growing regimen of supplements and other health-enhancing products. To achieve this mission, they have partnered with innovative and reliable pet nutrition companies to provide health and longevity to pets. Steinford states, "We believe healthy pets promote healthy people and vice versa. We are consistently improving our process and products to further support the longevity platform and community of like-minded pet parents. We provide Nutrition advice from veterinarians and registered dietitians with animal and breed-specific nutrition training. We aim to educate our community and learn from them as well."

To further provide consumers with security in their choices, the company not only relies on ingredient safety data to ensure the safety of the individual components but also conducts safety, toxicity, and claims verifications on the finished product formulations at USDA-inspected and registered facilities.

Fostering a Brighter Future 

Carson&Bear is built on the idea that pet parents are savvy consumers who seek education on what is best for their four-footed family members and use that knowledge to make purchasing choices. This trend follows other movements in the markets, as millennials, especially, are quick to choose food and supplements that are naturally based, including pet food.

According to Steinford, "The companion pet industry has quickly evolved over the past decade. The marketing messages have moved from “Bacon, Bacon, Bacon!” and “Meow, Meow, Meow!” to educated customers focused on the quality of science and ingredients. Carson&Bear intends to be a leader of this evolution."