Horizon – Here When You Need Us Most
Whether you need immediate assistance or have questions about our services, we are ready to serve and support you.
Our Story
Horizon was established in 2025 by Dr. Matthew M. Capitanio, a dedicated local Phoenix veterinarian, with Arizona pet parents in mind. Privately funded and solely owned by Dr. Capitanio, Horizon stands as a local, independently-operated pet cremation service with no private equity involvement, built on four key principles: care, affordability, precision, and service.
Throughout his veterinary career, Dr. Capitanio has upheld the belief that every pet is special, unique, and deserving of individual attention. This philosophy extends to after-life care, as he firmly believes it should reflect the same respect and compassion. At Horizon, every pet entrusted to our care is treated as a treasured individual, deserving of our full attention and dignity.
No pet should ever undergo mass cremation. Just as you wouldn’t accept such treatment for your human family members, it shouldn’t be the standard for your cherished pets. Yet, this has unfortunately become commonplace in the pet care industry. Horizon is proud to be the only Arizona pet cremation provider registered with the Arizona Veterinary Medical Board (licensing body) to exclusively offer private cremations. This distinction ensures that Horizon stands apart from other providers who may offer communal or individual cremations but are not strictly registered as private crematories in Arizona.
At Horizon, we are committed to offering only private cremations. Unlike other companies that prioritize profit by performing mass cremations in the same chamber—compromising the dignity of your beloved pet—we prioritize your pet’s care and respect above all else. No individual cremations. No communal cremations. Ever. Dr. Capitanio also firmly believes that this gold standard of pet cremation services should be accessible and not priced beyond the reach of pet owners.
“At Horizon, every animal entrusted to our care—whether they were a cherished member of a loving family, part of a devoted rescue organization, or endured a difficult life as a forgotten stray—will be cremated privately and treated with the dignity and respect they rightfully deserve” – Dr. Matthew M Capitanio
About Dr. Capitanio
Born in South Dakota, Dr. Matthew Capitanio relocated with his family to Tempe, Arizona, at the age of eight. He pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of Arizona in Tucson and later earned his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine, graduating Cum Laude. During his time there, he was honored as a recipient of the Morris Animal Foundation’s Veterinary Student Scholarship Program.
After completing a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Southfield, Michigan, Dr. Capitanio embarked on a decade-long career as an emergency room veterinarian, serving as Medical Director at the Animal Emergency Center in Flint, Michigan. In addition to emergency care, he gained experience in general veterinary practice, preventative medicine, and export regulation during his tenure with New Zealand’s Ministry of Primary Industries. Furthermore, he successfully founded, owned, and operated Michigan’s largest independently owned, privately funded, and non-franchised pet cremation company, managing daily operations and contributing to community outreach efforts across the state.
Dr. Capitanio has devoted significant time to international wildlife conservation, working to promote animal health through hands-on initiatives. His efforts include providing care for lowland mountain gorillas in Rwanda alongside the UC Davis Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, assisting in the translocation of critically endangered black rhinoceroses in South Africa with the South African National Parks Veterinary Game Capture Unit and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and tracking hamadryas baboons in Ethiopia as part of ongoing research with City University of New York’s Queens College. He has also actively participated in spay and neuter campaigns in both Mexico and New Zealand.
As a published author in the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, Dr. Capitanio’s expertise has been recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), where he contributed to the Working Group on the Panel of Animal Depopulation to develop emergency response guidelines still in use today. He currently serves on a Medical Advisory Committee for preventative veterinary medicine. In 2025, he expanded his contributions to pet care by publishing a children’s book, A Lot of Love for Lucky, designed to help children navigate the emotional challenges of pet loss. This book is distributed free of charge to Arizona veterinary hospitals, animal clinics, and libraries.
Dr. Capitanio resides in Tempe, Arizona, with his two rescue cats, U-turn and Conan, both of whom he got during his veterinary school days.
Sarah K.
Director of People, Pets and Vets
Sarah K takes pride in guiding families through a deeply personal and emotional process as Director of People, Pets and Vets at Horizon. With a focus on building trust and offering heartfelt support, Sarah ensures each family feels understood and valued during their time of loss. By handling details with care and professionalism, she helps families honor their pets in a way that brings comfort and dignity.
Sarah is an avid hiker and adventurer, which reflects her dedication to finding meaningful connections in all aspects of life. She loves french bulldogs and currently cares for her special needs Maine Coon kitty, Liam.
James D.
Director of Operations
James brings a dignity-driven attitude to his role as Director of Operations at Horizon. Focused on creating a seamless process for families who have lost their pet, he works diligently to ensure every service reflects the dignity and respect cherished pets deserve. Whether managing logistics or addressing client concerns, James excels in making the process efficient and compassionate.
Beyond the office, James is passionate about biking and helping those in need, which mirrors their energetic and innovative approach to everything they do. James cares for his parents and has 2 dogs: Charlie his German Shepherd and Duke, a rescued Great Dane.
Erika B.
Director of Customer Care
With a compassionate approach and a knack for problem-solving, Erika serves as a dependable Director of Customer Care at Horizon. She specializes in providing clear, actionable guidance to families coping with the loss of a pet. By balancing emotional support with practical solutions, Erika helps clients navigate the process of memorializing their beloved pets with ease and confidence.
When not at work, Erika is often found hiking or enjoying restaurants around town or, a pursuit that aligns with her thoughtful and fun personality.
Erika has a Maine Coon kitty named Tiberius.
Lucas K.
Facility Operations
A lifelong advocate for the kind treatment of animals, Lucas found his calling at Horizon in Facility Operations. Known for his empathetic nature, Lucas approaches every family with a kind heart and a listening ear. He see his role not just as a job, but as an opportunity to celebrate the special relationships people share with their pets, offering personalized services to honor each pet’s legacy.
In his downtime, Lucas enjoys his family. he lives with his wife, 2 sons and 3 rescue dogs which compliments his innate creativity and compassionate outlook on life.
Our Core Values
Precision
Attention to detail is everything. Every detail counts. Accuracy counts. Precision counts. As a skilled veterinary surgeon, Dr. Capitanio understands that precision is paramount in the surgical care of animals. At Horizon, we carry this same philosophy into the afterlife care of your cherished pet. That’s why we’ve implemented a comprehensive digital tracking process, ensuring your pet is respectfully monitored every step of the way—from the moment they leave your care to the moment they are safely returned to your home. Peace of mind, delivered with compassion and precision.
Compassion
Care. Empathy. Trust. For pet owners, the loss of a beloved companion is one of the hardest experiences they may face. Over 15 years ago, Dr. Capitanio’s deep love for animals inspired him to become a veterinarian. Today, that same love is matched by his profound empathy, which drives his work every day. From routine vaccinations to life-saving emergency surgeries, Dr. Capitanio has improved the lives of over 100,000 pets and counting.
It is this unwavering compassion that led him to focus on the afterlife care of pets. At Horizon, every pet is treated with the utmost respect, dignity, and care. Each member of our team has voluntarily taken the Horizon Oath, a commitment to treat every pet as if they were their own. Because at Horizon, we believe that every pet deserves nothing less.
Service
If you ever find yourself in need of afterlife care for your beloved pet, you don’t have to face it alone. Horizon is here to support you and ease the burden during such a difficult time. Our commitment to exceptional customer service stems from a deep understanding that grief is a uniquely personal journey, different for everyone. ¶ Having experienced profound loss himself after the passing of his own parents, Dr. Capitanio brings a heartfelt empathy to Horizon’s mission. His experiences with suffering and loss fuel his unwavering compassion and drive to make an incredibly painful situation just a little less heavy, a little less overwhelming.
At Horizon, we cherish the special bond you share with your pet. We are dedicated to honoring that connection with care, dignity, and respect, ensuring that your beloved companion is remembered in the most meaningful way.
AFFORDABILITY
At Horizon, we believe that pet cremation should be within reach for all pet owners, without sacrificing quality or care. Our services are designed to ensure affordability and accessibility while maintaining the highest standards of compassion, precision, and service—standards unmatched by any competitor in the valley.
Pet owners deserve to make informed choices when it comes to their pet’s after-life care. Selecting a provider who truly understands the industry and advocates for pet health is a vital first step. It’s important to remember that expensive options don’t always equate to superior care or attention. At Horizon, we are proud to be your pet’s advocate, offering compassionate, dignified services you can trust.
ARIZONA STATE LAW
If an animal cremation is not explicitly offered or labeled as private, it is highly likely that your pet is being cremated alongside other animals. In such cases, your pet’s ashes are likely commingled and collected together with the ashes of other pets.
In accordance with the Arizona State Law as regulated through the Administrative Rules set forth by the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Boards :
ARTICLE 10. ANIMAL CREMATORY MINIMUM STANDARDS R3-11-1001.
Definitions
“Communal cremation” means remains from multiple animals are in the cremation chamber without any form of separation or identification during the cremation process.
“Individual cremation” means the remains of each animal are separated and placed in a mapped location in the cremation chamber during the cremation procedure.
“Private cremation” means the remains of only one animal are placed in the cremation chamber.
Horizon offers only private cremations and is registered and licensed for ONLY private cremations. This means at our facility; no pet is ever cremated with someone else’s pet in the same chamber.
“No pets are communally or individually cremated. Ever. Every pet deserves dignity during the after-life care process, from owned pets to strays alike. That’s the Horizon promise” – Dr. Matthew M Capitanio, DVM
Horizon’s Choice:
Pet Identification System
- Our digital software tracking system for pets is exactly the same as used for human family members.
- Your family name, your pet’s name and your pet’s unique tracking code are all identified on the outside of the container.
- Unique barcoded technology digitally assigns and records, into our Microsoft Cloud based system, your pet’s every detail throughout the process.
- Digital barcoding and physical paperwork accompany your pet through the entire cremation process.
- Professional and courteous staff are always at your service and your pet’s service throughout the process.
- We require accountability. Signatures and dates are required for the return of your pet’s cremains.
Here for you, 24/7!
We’re ready to assist with any questions or to help arrange services for your pet.
- 480-215-6955
- HereToHelp@Horizon-pcs.com
- 2320 West Holly Street Phoenix, AZ 85009
