When Andrew Hamilton sat down with Dez DeCosta on her Founder’s Club podcast, it wasn’t just another entrepreneur hyping the next “disruptive” startup. Instead, listeners were offered a rare and personal glimpse into the story behind why Hamilton built VETR.com—a growing pet health company—and how one devastating moment redefined the trajectory of his career.

Hamilton, a serial entrepreneur with a long track record across biotech, fintech, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, has made a name for himself as someone who moves fast, thinks pragmatically, and launches businesses that solve problems. But in his conversation with Dez DeCosta, Hamilton swapped out the usual founder jargon for something more real: heartbreak.

While on vacation with his family, his 11-year-old Great Dane—left in the care of a boarding facility—fell ill on day one. By the time Hamilton’s plane landed, his dog had already been sent to emergency care.

“He ended up not making it… but it ended up being like $5,000 or $6,000 to not even save—to just prolong life,” Hamilton recalled. “We couldn’t get him into a regular vet… and we ended up having to put him down over Zoom.”

The experience shook him, not only as a pet owner but as someone with deep insight into how inefficient—and often unaffordable—the system can be. “That was a moment where it hit me,” he explained on the podcast. “The health of your animal and your financial health—one shouldn’t have to suffer for the other.”

That moment of loss became the foundation for VETR.com.

Building Something Better

At its core, VETR.com is a pet health company specializing in the compounding and manufacturing of generic medications for animals. By handling production in-house, VETR bypasses traditional markups and supply chain layers, making treatments like antiparasitic and deworming medications significantly more affordable for consumers.

Currently, the company’s catalog focuses on high-demand over-the-counter products—such as toltrazuril and coccidia-based solutions—that are vital to pet owners and essential for shelters and breeders managing parasite control at scale. “We saw an opportunity to provide a real alternative,” Hamilton said, pointing to the cost and access issues baked into the veterinary pharmaceutical world.

And while much of VETR’s growth to date has centered on its product manufacturing and distribution, Hamilton also used the podcast appearance to share what’s coming next. A telehealth platform—allowing pet owners to consult with licensed veterinarians virtually—is currently in development. Once launched, the service will bring timely veterinary access to underserved regions and alleviate pressure on local urgent care clinics.

“We’re still seeing outdated laws that prevent vets from treating animals over telehealth in many states,” Hamilton noted. “During COVID, telehealth became the norm for humans. But for pets, we still have a long way to go.”

From Engineering to Empathy

Throughout the interview, Dez DeCosta peeled back more than just product features and growth strategies. She dove into Hamilton’s mindset, daily routines, and the philosophies that keep him moving through both success and setbacks. Hamilton shared that he starts his days early—at 5:45 a.m.—with prayer, reflection, and a little motivational fire from speakers like David Goggins. Then he heads into a day structured around fulfillment deadlines, lab compliance, and managing an expanding team.

As for what’s fueled his career through two decades of building? “Don’t dwell on failure—weaponize it,” Hamilton said. “That pause you think you’re taking will cost you double when you have to catch back up.”

It’s a hard-won lesson, shaped by both loss and experience. After selling his first trading platform in 2008, Hamilton admitted he slowed down to enjoy family life, which although family time is deeply meaningful—he soon realized how fast the tech world was moving without him. The catch-up phase, he said, taught him that momentum is everything.

A Glimpse Into the Future

Hamilton’s appearance on Founder’s Club didn’t just provide insight into the inner workings of VETR.com—it showed a founder who builds with urgency, but not at the expense of purpose. As the pet health space continues to evolve, VETR is betting that lower costs, faster access, and founder-led empathy will matter just as much as innovation.

And with telehealth expansion, a growing distribution network, and an affiliate model in development for shelters and breeders, VETR is only just getting started.

Listen to the full episode of Founder’s Club with Dez DeCosta featuring Andrew Hamilton on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, and Youtube.