Vancouver-based Banfield Pet Hospital on Tuesday announced a telehealth service called Vet Chat that offers its preventive care plan clients access to one-on-one chat with a veterinarian through the Banfield app.
Vet Chat gives Banfield’s wellness plan clients access to general pet care advice and triage support from a veterinarian, the company says.
A recent Banfield survey shows that 71 percent of pet owners turn to the internet instead of their veterinarian. According to the survey, 75 percent of veterinarians agree that knowing how long to wait before consulting a veterinarian is one of the biggest challenges their clients face. Also, 90 percent of veterinarians worry that pet owners may unknowingly put their pet at more risk by taking bad advice from the internet.
“At Banfield, we never take for granted that being entrusted with the care of a beloved pet is to be invited into the emotional center of a person’s life,” Banfield President Brian Garish said.
