Firehouse Animal Health Centers

•General medical services for dogs and cats

Price: Varies by service

Where you can get it: Denver metro area

Business owners: Greg Waldbaum and Jed Rogers

Location: Denver

Tidbits: At Firehouse Animal Health Centers, the focus is not only on man's best friend, but on man - and woman - as well. According to co-owner and chief executive officer Greg Waldbaum, what differentiates his chain of health centers from others is extreme focus on the client and patient.

"Our most important difference is the communication system we've established between doctor and client," Waldbaum said. "Our doctors use visuals to explain and show what's happening with each client's pet. We also offer Firehouse Mobile Animal Health, which is a fully equipped medical hospital on wheels."

Each of the five health centers features state-of-the-art facilities and lobbies offering free snacks for you, your child and pet.

Firehouse also has created a customer rewards program in which clients can earn points for every dollar spent during visits, and receive discounts from an array of program partners.

For more information: myfirehouse.com

Maverick Ranch Natural Meats

• All-natural and organic meat products

Price: Varies by retailer

Where you can get it: Safeway, Target, Vitamin Cottage and Wild Oats

Business owners: Moore family

Location: Denver

Tidbits: In the summer of 1985, founder and Chief Executive Officer Roy Moore, then a cattle rancher, wandered into Alfalfa's (now Wild Oats) and was asked by the owner if he would be willing to provide the store with meat.

More than 20 years later, Maverick Ranch Natural Meats provides all-natural beef, pork, buffalo and lamb; free-range chicken; and USDA-certified organic beef to retail locations throughout the United States. In addition, the company is the official meat supplier of the U.S. Olympic Training Centers.

But for Moore, it's not about the money.

"We're passionate about making a difference," he said. "Our goal is to be the most recognized brand of all-natural and organic meats, and nearly 100 percent organic in four years. Plus, it's a joy working with my wife and children."

Maverick Ranch receives its meat from locations across the United States, and each product is rigorously tested for tenderness, bacterial contamination, antibiotics, steroids and pesticides.

For more information: maverickranch.com