Chat with Josh, Founder of Dial A Vet.
Amongst the chaos of running a start-up, I had the opportunity to chat (virtually) with our CEO and Founder, Josh Fidrmuc, who kindly lent us his time for a chat!
So Josh, what ticked in your brain for Dial A Vet to be born?
Josh: The inspiration for Dial A Vet came from an experience my good friend had during the pandemic. Where he needed to access veterinary care for his pet pug, Isla. The closest veterinary practice that was open was over 45 minutes away and given it was 11 pm at night, the trip to the vet ended up being a total of a 2-hour trip and $120 later, to just be told to change Isla’s diet. This experience got me thinking about how technology could bridge the gap between pet owners and veterinarians, providing quick access to professional advice when it matters most.
I can see how the idea was born! Could you elaborate on the specific problem that Dial A Vet aims to solve within the veterinary field?
Josh: Absolutely. Dial A Vet addresses a common challenge faced by pet owners worldwide - there is a significant veterinary shortage across Australia (and the world), increased pet ownership rates, the heightened stress on our veterinary professionals, and with no sign of slowing down, it is challenging to access timely veterinary care and advice. Dial A Vet is focusing on partnering with employers and pet service companies to offer our on-demand service as a benefit to pet owners. Whether it's a late-night emergency or a simple health query, pet owners often struggle to connect with a qualified veterinary professional quickly. Our app aims to solve this problem by connecting pet owners with experienced veterinary professionals 24/7, providing convenience and peace of mind.
Can you walk us through how Dial A Vet works and what users can expect when they use the app?
Josh: Certainly. Dial A Vet is designed to be user-friendly. Pet owners can download the app, create an account, and then connect with one of our ‘veterinary pros’ almost immediately. During a consultation, they can discuss their pet's health concerns and receive expert guidance. It's like having an on-demand vet in your pocket, ready to help whenever you need it.
That sounds incredibly convenient. What would you say sets Dial A Vet apart from other veterinary apps or services in the market?
Josh: Great question. What sets Dial A Vet apart is our commitment to accessibility and quality. When you have a pet concern, you don’t have time to see the vet in a few days, or vigorously google your pet concern and shift through the 1,000 pages of different possibilities. Our veterinary professionals are Australia-wide, and we have over 250 quality and passionate pros who are able to help your pet concern 24/7 and most importantly, in as little as 30 seconds.
That emphasis on quality and accessibility is certainly noteworthy. Can you share any success stories or positive feedback from users that highlight the impact Dial A Vet has had?
Josh: Absolutely. We've received heartwarming feedback from pet owners who've used our service during critical moments. One user, for example, recently shared with us how one of our veterinary professionals helped them identify that their border collie had a skin tumour that ended up being benign. It was great to see that what was an initial concern, ended up being identified really early and their pet was able to get treatment early.
It's clear that Dial A Vet is making a difference in the lives of pet owners. Looking ahead, what are your future plans and goals for the app?
Josh: Our vision for Dial A Vet is to become the go-to platform for all pet healthcare needs. We're working on expanding our partnerships with employers, adding more features to enhance the user experience, and exploring relationships to offer even more comprehensive pet healthcare solutions. Our ultimate goal is to make quality veterinary care easily accessible to every pet owner worldwide.
That's an ambitious and commendable mission. Thank you for sharing your insights and the inspiring story behind Dial A Vet.
