At Chongker, every product we create begins with empathy. But sometimes, our community teaches us what empathy truly means.
We want to introduce you to April.
Her love, resilience, and family legacy helped give our flagship interactive cat his name: Percy.
April is more than a customer. As a veteran veterinary technician with 25 years of experience, she understands the healing power of animals on a professional level.
More importantly, as a caregiver, she knows what it means to be a constant, reassuring presence when life feels fragile.
A Heritage of Healing
In April’s family, compassion isn't just a virtue—it is a lineage.
Her father, a legendary veterinarian for decades, dedicated his life to animal medicine and community care. Before retiring, he helped establish Pets on Wheels, an initiative that brought therapy animals into hospice care and senior living centers to comfort those in need.
Today, April’s daughter carries the torch as a certified trainer, helping shelter dogs overcome trauma and find forever homes.
Across three generations, caring for animals and people has been their family's universal language.
The Real Percy: Bound by Love, Bound by Presence
When a sudden severe illness and injury left April confined to her home, her world shrank to the edge of her living room.
But she was never alone.
Her German Shepherd, the original Percy, became her silent shadow.
Though he was only two years old—an age normally defined by boundless, chaotic energy—Percy transformed. He instinctively sensed her vulnerability and stayed close, offering calm, steady companionship.
To keep his mind active during those long months, April taught him tricks right from her couch, which led to him earning multiple working dog titles.
Whenever she dropped an item she couldn't reach, Percy would gently retrieve it and hand it back.
“He is all about me—that’s fine with me because he is my baby!”
That feeling of being unconditionally seen, held, and guarded when you are at your most vulnerable was the exact soul April wanted to infuse into our creation.
The Weight of Memory: What’s in a Name?
When we invited April to name our flagship interactive cat, she didn't just give us a label.
She gave us a piece of her history.
The name Percy is a meaningful blend honoring her father’s ancestral roots and her family's heritage of care. But it also carries a deeper, quieter weight.
Having watched her grandfather navigate the painful journey of memory loss, April experienced firsthand how difficult cognitive decline can be for a family.
She remembered the quiet devotion of showing up every single day to offer comfort when words were no longer enough.
By naming our companion Percy, April gave him a true mission:
To be a gentle, unwavering presence for those who can no longer care for a living pet, and a source of peace for families navigating difficult times.
Co-Creating Comfort: A Partner in Design
April’s impact on Chongker extends far beyond a name.
As someone who understands sensory grounding and emotional comfort, April became one of our most valued product advisors.
From refining tactile weight distribution to testing how our plush textures support a sense of comfort, her insights directly shaped Percy’s final design.
She has since shared our interactive pets with her loved ones and donated companions to local senior facilities, bringing moments of warmth to those living with memory loss.
“Your creations are special because you can actually hug and groom them... They brought me so much peace during my recovery.”
April’s experience reminded us that designing a companion isn't simply about making it look realistic.
It is about understanding what people need to feel safe, connected, and comforted.
The Chongker Promise
Because of April, Percy is far more than an interactive plush.
He is a tribute to a loyal dog, a heroic father, and a family’s love that spans generations.
When you hold Percy in your arms, you are connected with:
- Caregivers: The unsung heroes who give so much of themselves.
- Silent Bonds: The profound understanding that the best comfort asks for nothing in return.
- A Legacy of Care: Generations of love shared between humans and animals.
At Chongker, we don’t just build companions.
We build vessels for human connection.
Percy isn’t just a name.
It’s a promise to never let you feel alone.
