About
Shepherd Veterinary Software is a modern, cloud-based practice management solution built specifically for veterinary clinics and multi-location practices. Founded by Dr. Cindy Barnes, Shepherd was designed from the ground up to match the way vets actually work—rather than forcing teams to adapt to rigid legacy systems. At its core, Shepherd offers an intuitive SOAP medical record workflow that automatically populates invoices as treatments are administered, eliminating the missed charges that cost practices an estimated $60,000 per full-time doctor annually. Discharge instructions are automatically attached, and approved estimates push directly to treatment plans before patients leave the room. Sherpherd also includes a suite of AI-powered tools—SummarizeAI, TranscribeAI, and DiagnoseAI—trained on real clinical cases and embedded directly into the PIMS, helping teams save hours each week and enhance patient care. Additional features include effortless real-time inventory tracking, robust integrated reporting (from accounting to vaccination histories), client communication tools, and a built-in payment processor. The platform is built for ease of use: most staff get comfortable on day one. It supports multi-location practices and integrates with a range of third-party services. Shepherd is ideal for independent vet clinics, general practices, and growing multi-site operations looking to reduce paperwork, improve profitability, and bring more joy back to veterinary medicine.
Key Features
- Automated Invoice Capture: Every treatment administered is automatically added to the patient's invoice, eliminating missed charges and recapturing thousands of dollars in lost annual revenue.
- Built-in AI Tools (SummarizeAI, TranscribeAI, DiagnoseAI): Three AI tools trained on real clinical cases are embedded directly into the platform, saving hours per week on documentation and supporting clinical decision-making.
- Intuitive SOAP Medical Record Workflow: A clean, vet-designed interface guides staff through patient visits with structured SOAP records that autofill data across invoices, discharge instructions, and treatment plans.
- Real-Time Inventory Tracking: Inventory levels update automatically with each product administration, making restocking simple and reducing waste or shortages.
- Integrated Reporting & Analytics: Generate comprehensive reports on accounting, vaccinations, revenue, and more—giving practice owners a complete picture of performance at any time.
Use Cases
- A busy small animal clinic uses Shepherd to automatically capture all treatment charges during appointments, recovering thousands in previously missed invoice revenue each year.
- A multi-location veterinary group uses Shepherd's cloud-based platform to manage records, inventory, and reporting consistently across all sites from a central dashboard.
- A solo practitioner uses TranscribeAI and SummarizeAI to cut time spent on medical record documentation, allowing them to finish work on time and stop taking paperwork home.
- A practice manager uses Shepherd's integrated reporting to generate monthly revenue, vaccination, and inventory reports without needing a separate analytics tool.
- A growing veterinary clinic onboards new staff quickly thanks to Shepherd's intuitive SOAP workflow interface, reducing training time compared to legacy practice management systems.
Pros
- Built by Veterinarians: Designed by practicing vets who understand clinical workflows, making adoption fast and day-to-day use genuinely intuitive.
- Eliminates Missed Charges: Automatic charge capture tied to medical records directly improves profitability without requiring manual reconciliation.
- AI Tools Included in Platform: SummarizeAI, TranscribeAI, and DiagnoseAI are built right in—no third-party integrations needed to access AI-powered clinical support.
- Cloud-Based with Multi-Location Support: Accessible from anywhere, ideal for practices with multiple locations or remote record review needs.
Cons
- Paid-Only Pricing: There is no free tier or trial mentioned on the site; prospective customers must schedule a demo to evaluate the platform, which may slow decision-making.
- Niche-Specific Platform: Shepherd is purpose-built for veterinary practices only, so it has no applicability outside the animal health industry.
- Requires Migration from Legacy Systems: Switching from established practice management platforms may involve data migration challenges and a team learning curve, even with Shepherd's ease-of-use advantages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Shepherd Veterinary Software designed for?
Shepherd is designed for veterinary clinics of all sizes, from solo practitioners to multi-location practices. It was built by veterinarians who wanted software that matches how vets actually work.
What AI tools does Shepherd include?
Shepherd includes three AI tools: SummarizeAI (summarizes patient records), TranscribeAI (transcribes clinical notes), and DiagnoseAI (supports clinical decision-making). All are trained on real clinical cases and built directly into the PIMS.
How does Shepherd help prevent missed charges?
Shepherd automatically adds treatments to the invoice as they are recorded in the medical record. If a service is documented, it is billed—eliminating the manual reconciliation that leads to an estimated $60,000/year in missed revenue per full-time doctor.
Is Shepherd cloud-based?
Yes. Shepherd is fully cloud-based, meaning it can be accessed from any device with an internet connection and does not require on-premise hardware or server maintenance.
Does Shepherd support multiple clinic locations?
Yes. Shepherd is built with multi-location support, making it suitable for veterinary groups and practices that operate across more than one site.
