The PAWtrait PAWty @ Bark at Spark With Embrace Pet Insurance
In August 2025, we proudly joined the vibrant Bark at Spark: Summer PAWty event at Spark Social in San Francisco, a gathering where humans and pets came together to celebrate love, joy, and community. Food trucks lined up with delicious aromas filling the air, laughter echoing across the park, and dogs of all shapes and sizes wagging their tails freely under the open sky. This wasn’t just an event; it was a place where people and pets could feel at home, together.
As IVO (International Veterinary Outreach), we came to share our mission: to create real, lasting impact for animals and the communities that care for them. This was more than just setting up a booth; it was about building connections, sparking conversations, and leaving attendees with memories that would stay in their hearts.
A family moment full of love (Photo credit: Lynda Niemeier-Teasdale)
Memories That Last a Lifetime
Our activation space at Bark at Spark (of Spark Social, San Francisco) became a hub of joy. Families and their furry friends stopped by our PAWtrait PAWty, capturing timeless memories while supporting a meaningful cause. Each photo was a story waiting to be shared for years to come.
"Puppy Grins & Summer Wins"- (Photo credit: Mari Eisenman)
We imagined a future where a family flips through an album and smiles: “This was Max at Bark at Spark his first outing, his goofy cable car costume, his puppy grin. These moments are more than fun; they reflect what IVO believes in: celebrating pets while strengthening the communities that care for them. Every laugh, every snapshot, and every shared memory sparks awareness, compassion, and connection. And through the PAWtrait PAWty donations, families helped provide vital veterinary services to underserved communities around the world, showing that joy and impact can go paw in paw.
A Pack Full of Joy (Photo credit: Lynda Niemeier-Teasdale)
A Touch of Fun: Strut Yo Mutt Costume Contest
Adding extra sparkle to the day, we hosted a Strut Yo Mutt Costume Contest. From rainbows to fashion icons on four legs, creativity ran wild! The crowd cheered, laughed, and celebrated every pup that strutted onto the stage.
“Fashion Paws & Sunny Days” (Photo credit: Mari Eisenman)
It wasn’t about winning, it was about sharing joy, building community, and making memories that last. With every donation for the costume contest, participants contributed to IVO’s global outreach, helping us provide veterinary care and education where it’s needed most.
100% of the proceeds from these activities went directly to International Veterinary Outreach (IVO), proving that a day of fun can also make a real difference in the lives of animals and people worldwide.
One of the reasons families had such a joyful day was the support of Embrace Pet Insurance, our Gold Paw Sponsor. From the Strut Yo Mutt Costume Contest to the Pet PAWtrait PAWty, their sponsorship helped create spaces where people and pets could celebrate together while also contributing to IVO’s mission.
What makes Embrace stand out is how deeply they live their values. Beyond sponsoring events like ours, they’ve made a real difference for animals and communities across the U.S.
As a top-rated provider of pet health insurance in the U.S., Embrace offers comprehensive accident and illness coverage for dogs and cats, with up to 90% back at any vet. But their commitment goes beyond coverage. Through charitable giving programs, Embrace has donated over $1.1 million to causes that matter—from life-saving veterinary care and shelter support to youth wellness and environmental initiatives.
Whether it’s matching employee donations, volunteering with local clinics, or sponsoring events like IVO's PAWtrait PAWty, Embrace is proud to give back. Learn more at embracepetinsurance.com.
Top-rated coverage for dogs and cats, with up to 90% back at any vet.
24/7 pet telehealth through PawSupport—expert help anytime, at no extra cost
One simple plan that covers accidents, illnesses, diagnostics, and more.
Wellness Rewards reimburses for routine care like check-ups, vaccines, and grooming—up to $700/year
No networks or restrictions—visit any licensed vet in the U.S.
Fast, easy claims with direct deposit and a user-friendly app.
This kind of dedication aligns beautifully with what we do at IVO. Just as we focus on bringing veterinary care and education to underserved communities around the world, Embrace champions nonprofits that provide hands-on, compassionate care for pets and the people who love them. Together, our efforts create a bigger story, one where costumes, laughter, and wagging tails at Bark at Spark connect directly to long-term, lifesaving change.
For anyone who is choosing a pet insurance provider, Embrace tends to be "better than average" when:
You want broad coverage (accidents + illnesses) plus optional wellness/routine/preventive care in one place.
You have younger or middle aged pets, or are insuring them early
You want flexibility in setting limits, deductibles, and add-ons so that you can control your premium
These are just some reasons Embrace is a partner we support in return.
Why It Matters
Events like these remind us that caring for animals is also about caring for the people who love them. When families celebrate their pets, the bond between humans and animals grows stronger, inspiring communities to think more deeply about animal health, compassion, and care.
Those joyful snapshots may seem simple, but they carry real meaning. They show why our work matters and why moments of connection, laughs, stories, and shared joy can ripple out to create a culture of empathy, responsibility, and care.
And the impact isn’t limited to San Francisco. The same spirit we saw at Bark at Spark exists in Kenya, Nepal, Philippines,and Tanzania, where animals are not just companions they are essential to people’s livelihoods. When communities care for their animals, they also protect their families, their health, and the environment around them.
Whether it’s a playful pet portrait in California or a life-saving vaccination campaign in East Africa, all our efforts are tied together by the same belief: small acts of care spark real change. Every laugh, every story, every shared moment strengthens a culture where animals are valued, loved, and protected, laying the foundation for lasting impact around the world.
Pure Happiness - (Photo credit: Lynda Niemeier-Teasdale)
