Chewy expands its telehealth service

jomkwan7 / stock.adobe.com

Chewy, Inc. has evolved its renowned telehealth platform, Connect with a Vet, by adding new, innovative components including video consultations, the ability to preschedule a virtual veterinarian consultation, and extended hours of operation to the weekends which will be available later this month.

“Connect with a Vet is shifting the entire dynamic of how pet parents can access real-time healthcare advice with licensed veterinarians,” says Mita Malhotra, vice president of Chewy Health, in a company release. “We introduced it as a resource at the moment it was needed most by customers and veterinarians, and we are proud to continue innovating to offer an even more personalized and accessible experience to millions of pet parents.”

This first-of-its-kind service was initially launched in October 2020 as a chat-based platform that provided quick and easy access to veterinary counsel. The added video consultation feature and ability to preschedule appointments help preserve the company’s core mission of cultivating a personalized experience for pet parents and veterinary partners.

Additionally, the expansion comes within months after making the service widely available as a free resource to Chewy’s auto-ship subscribers. Connect with a Vet has received glowing customer approval ratings with nearly 80% of customers who have used it this year deeming it a 10 out of 10, according to the release.

Chewy’s team is comprised of licensed contracted veterinarians who are also benefiting from the revamped services. Through video, these veterinary professionals can now better observe the pet’s behavior, activity level, and other important health indicators while guiding pet parents on the next steps.

“Our doctors get to observe the pet in real-time, in the comfort of their own homes. Being able to observe the pet rather than just read or hear a description allows for a more authentic connection while answering our pet parents’ questions or preparing them for a more efficient in-person vet visit if needed,” says Katy Nelson, DVM, Chewy senior veterinary relations manager.

Connect with a Vet is now offered in 47 states within the US and is available Monday through Friday from 8 am to 11 pm ET. To learn more about this virtual service, go here.