Vet Spotlight: Dr. Hough understands that Telemedicine and AI are the ways of the future

Meet Dr. Hough, an emergency veterinarian based in Prescott, Arizona. She joined Vetster in 2021 and holds multiple veterinary state licenses in the US. As an owner of two rescue dogs, Dr. Hough understands that pet parenthood can sometimes be a struggle. She has first-hand experience with various problems dogs and cats may face.

“It’s so empowering to be able to help pets and their families in situations where they’d otherwise feel helpless.”

There have been many virtual cases throughout the years that have made an impact, but my most memorable case was a hypoglycemic puppy in the middle of the night, who was hours away from the nearest emergency clinic. The puppy was listless and barely responsive, and the owners were frantic. Thankfully, through Vetster, I guided them on how to warm the puppy and rub honey on his gums. Within a few minutes, he started to perk up.

Helping pets who do not have access to veterinary care is why I love telemedicine with Vetster! I appreciate that Vetster makes veterinary care accessible to people who might otherwise go without it. Many people are far away from in person clinics, do not have a car to transport their pet, or their family vet is booked out for weeks. Vetster bridges that gap. It’s so empowering to be able to help pets and their families in situations where they’d otherwise feel helpless.

I always tell them to go for it. Telemedicine is the way of the future, and it is opening up many opportunities for veterinarians and pet parents. I’m so passionate about helping vets navigate this shift that I created a Udemy course to guide them in building a successful telemedicine business (link). The reason we all became veterinarians is to help pets, and this is just another way to make a real difference while also being flexible in our own lives.

I know several veterinarians who have embraced telemedicine. Many were skeptical at first, but after a few sessions they all realized how impactful virtual care can be. They love the flexibility and the ability to make a difference without the constraints of clinic life.

I really hope that telemedicine prescribing becomes more accepted across the US. There are many situations where a vet can learn what they need to know to help a pet through a complete history and video exam.  I also think more AI-powered diagnostic tools will become the norm like wearable health trackers for pets, giving veterinarians the ability to assess heart rate, seizure activity, and more. These tools could help us catch problems early and provide more proactive care. It’s exciting to think about how technology is going to continue shaping the future of veterinary medicine.

Vetster works perfectly with my current lifestyle. I am an emergency veterinarian, where I work 12 shifts a month. On my off days, I hop on Vetster when it works for me. I love how I can block off time for the gym, errands, or downtime. Since I’m at home and in control of my schedule, I don’t feel that end-of-the-day exhaustion that can come with a packed waiting room. It’s such a great way to stay connected with veterinary care, help pets, and still enjoy some flexibility.

If you're interested in being featured in our blog, please contact Jennifer, our Manager of Veterinary Success by emailing jennifer@vetster.com.