PetPace’s health monitoring collar for pets helped a California man and his veterinarian learn about a health condition with his dog.
– MURRIETA, Calif.
Richard Kosh, a retired Marine living in Murrieta, California, and his 11-year-old golden retriever Jolie have found greater confidence and peace of mind thanks to a wearable pet health monitor. The smart collar, designed to track vital signs and activity for dogs and cats, proved particularly useful for monitoring an aging companion. Kosh adopted Jolie from Retrievers and Friends of Southern California when she was four, after she had been surrendered by her previous family. The two bonded immediately and, since 2009, have enjoyed a life of travel, outdoor activity, and visits to local Temecula wineries.
Jolie quickly became a familiar and well-loved visitor at the Monte De Oro Winery, where guests and staff often stop to pet her, offer treats, and refill her water bowl. Over time, however, Kosh noticed changes in Jolie’s stamina. By 2015 she was tiring more quickly on walks, and he wanted to understand how active she was when he wasn’t with her. After researching pet health monitoring solutions, he chose a PetPace smart collar to keep continuous tabs on Jolie’s condition.
The collar’s real-time monitoring and smartphone alert system helped Kosh detect early signs of a cardiac issue. Specifically, the device flagged a low heart rate and reduced heart rate variability (HRV), measurements that alerted him to seek veterinary advice. Because the collar continuously records vitals and translates them into actionable alerts, Kosh was able to share precise data with Jolie’s veterinarian and address the problem promptly.
Jolie’s veterinarian can access her information remotely through PetPace’s expert web app and review her health dashboard in real time to monitor trends and respond to alerts. The availability of detailed, physician-grade data strengthened the collaboration between owner and clinician, making it easier to determine whether changes required urgent attention, adjustment of medications, or simple monitoring.
Kosh says he often shows the app on his phone to friends and other pet owners who see Jolie wearing the collar. “When I show them the app on my iPhone and the breakdown of the data, they’re impressed,” he said. He recommends the device especially for owners of senior dogs or pets with known medical issues, noting that continuous monitoring offers both practical benefits and reassurance. “If nothing else, it provides peace of mind for the pet’s owner,” he adds.
Beyond catching the cardiac indicators, the collar has helped Kosh better understand Jolie’s daily habits and overall health patterns when he isn’t present. The device tracks activity levels, rest periods, and physiological signals, allowing owners to spot changes that might otherwise go unnoticed until a more serious problem appears. Kosh appreciates not just the automated alerts, but also the fact that the system is supported by clinicians who review data and can prompt users when there’s a potential concern. That extra layer of human oversight—combined with continuous electronic monitoring—gives him confidence that Jolie’s health will be noticed and addressed quickly.
For pet owners considering monitoring solutions, Kosh emphasizes the value of reliable data and clear notifications. A wearable collar that reports heart rate, HRV, activity, and other metrics makes it easier to identify subtle shifts in a pet’s condition early. Early detection can lead to timelier veterinary intervention and, in many cases, improved outcomes. In Jolie’s case, the PetPace collar helped translate everyday observations into measurable information that informed medical decisions and improved her long-term care.
As more pet owners learn about wearable health technology, stories like Kosh and Jolie’s highlight how continuous monitoring can complement regular veterinary care. When used responsibly, smart collars can enhance a pet owner’s ability to notice trends, communicate with veterinarians, and take prompt action—helping companion animals live healthier, more comfortable lives as they age.