Our Story

Welcome to Vern and Bernie's Pet Boutique — a small, family-owned shop born out of love. Love for our pets, love for our community here in Clearwater, Florida, and most of all, love for our son, Zachary.

Meet Zachary

Zachary is our heart. Like so many families, we've navigated the joys and challenges that come with raising a child with autism. We've spent countless hours researching, advocating, and searching for the best possible treatments to help Zachary thrive. Along the way, we discovered promising stem cell therapy research that has given us real hope — and we've been working hard to make that treatment a reality for him.

That's where you come in.

Why We Started This Boutique

We've always been passionate pet lovers — our furry family members have brought us so much comfort and joy, especially during the harder days. So when we decided to start a business to help fund Zachary's treatment, opening a pet boutique felt like the most natural thing in the world. We wanted to build something that combined our passion for pets with a purpose bigger than ourselves.

Every product we carry is chosen with care, because we know you love your pets just as much as we love ours. And every purchase you make does more than spoil your four-legged friend — it helps bring Zachary one step closer to the treatment he deserves.

How Your Purchase Helps

A portion of every sale goes directly toward funding Zachary's stem cell therapy — a cutting-edge treatment that has shown real promise for children with autism. We're working with the Stem Cell Institute, a world-leading center for stem cell research and treatment, to give Zachary the best possible chance at a fuller, more independent life.

When you shop with us, you're not just a customer — you're part of our family's story. You're helping a little boy from Clearwater, Florida, reach his potential. And for that, we are endlessly grateful.

Support Zachary Directly

If you'd like to contribute directly to Zachary's treatment fund, we'd be so honored by your generosity. Every dollar makes a difference.

💛 Donate to Zachary's GoFundMe

Want to learn more about the science behind the treatment? Visit the Stem Cell Institute's autism research page.

Thank You

From the bottom of our hearts — thank you for being here. Thank you for shopping with us, for sharing our story, and for being the kind of person who cares. Your support means the world to our family.

With love,
The Vern and Bernie's Pet Boutique Family
Clearwater, Florida