Dodo: Reducing Veterinary Call Wait Times with Smart AI Receptionists

Dodo, a start-up founded in 2024, seeks to tackle a pressing issue in the veterinary industry: the inefficiency of front desk operations. With the pandemic sparking a surge in pet ownership, veterinary clinics have found themselves overwhelmed by the increased demand for their services. Unfortunately, this surge has also highlighted a significant challenge: a high turnover rate among veterinary receptionists. Statistics show that one in three veterinary receptionists leaves their job each year, leaving clinics understaffed and unable to manage the volume of calls effectively.

Dodo's founders identified a critical pain point—clients spending an average of 67% of their call time on hold, navigating phone trees, or dealing with voicemail prompts. This not only frustrates clients but also leads to lost business as customers seek services elsewhere. Dodo addresses this by introducing AI receptionists that streamline and automate front desk operations, starting with veterinary clinics.

How Does Dodo’s AI Receptionist Work?

Dodo’s AI receptionist is designed specifically for veterinary clinics, leveraging advanced machine learning algorithms and deep integrations with clinic management software. This AI agent is trained on veterinary knowledge and protocols sourced directly from receptionists’ manuals, which are often extensive and complex. By understanding these intricate details, Dodo’s AI can seamlessly handle various tasks typically managed by human receptionists.

The AI receptionist answers every call, addresses customer inquiries, and interacts with internal practice software to update patient files, manage schedules, and execute necessary administrative tasks. One of its standout features is its ability to automatically trigger outbound calls to fill last-minute cancellations, thereby maximizing clinic efficiency and minimizing lost revenue.

Who Are the Minds Behind Dodo?

The team behind Dodo is composed of three active founders, each bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. Julius Hillebrand, one of the co-founders, studied Engineering at Stanford and PPE at Oxford. He previously bootstrapped an investment tool to $2 million in AUM, optimized customer service operations at a major European fintech, and led a large university organization with over 1,000 members. His background in engineering and operations makes him well-suited to lead a start-up focused on automating front desk operations.

Dominik Moehrle, another co-founder, studied Data Science at Stanford and has a history of building AI agents for the healthcare industry. He previously founded beam.ai and successfully built and scaled four healthcare products. Dominik's passion for teaching and his expertise in data science contribute to Dodo's innovative approach to automating customer service.

Tim Reinhart, the third co-founder, brings a strong background in computer science and robotics, having studied at Stanford and ETH Zurich. He has experience building autonomous drone systems and working on mobile computer vision applications. Tim's passion for automation and AI is evident in the development of Dodo's AI receptionist, which is designed to revolutionize how veterinary clinics manage their front desk operations.

What Makes Dodo’s AI Receptionist Unique?

Dodo's AI receptionist stands out in the market due to its vertical specialization in veterinary clinics. Unlike generic AI solutions, Dodo’s offering is fine-tuned on veterinary knowledge, making it highly effective in handling the specific needs of veterinary practices. This specialization enables Dodo’s AI to address client inquiries with a depth of understanding that general-purpose AI cannot match.

Moreover, Dodo’s AI receptionist is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing practice management software (PMS). This integration allows the AI to access patient records, manage appointments, and even handle prescription refills. For example, Dodo can generate 20 more prescription refills per month for every 150 appointments, significantly boosting clinic revenue. The AI also eliminates the need for clients to visit the clinic’s website for registration, as it can handle the entire process over the phone.

How Does Dodo Improve Veterinary Clinic Efficiency?

One of the key benefits of Dodo’s AI receptionist is its ability to enhance the efficiency of veterinary clinics. By handling all incoming calls, the AI receptionist frees up time for human staff to focus on more critical tasks, such as patient care. Clinics that adopt Dodo’s AI solution can expect a twofold increase in the efficiency of their front desk operations from day one.

Dodo’s AI receptionist also addresses the issue of missed calls, which is a common problem in understaffed clinics. By ensuring that every call is answered promptly, the AI prevents potential clients from slipping through the cracks. Additionally, the AI’s capability to make automatic outbound calls to fill last-minute cancellations ensures that clinics can maintain a high level of operational efficiency, even during peak times.

How Does Dodo Ensure a Smooth Implementation?

Dodo understands that adopting new technology can be daunting for veterinary clinics, which is why they have designed their AI receptionist to be easy to implement and integrate with existing systems. The AI solution is compatible with a wide range of practice management software, thanks to Dodo’s open API and robust integration framework. This ensures that clinics can smoothly transition to using the AI receptionist without disrupting their current workflows.

To further ease the implementation process, Dodo begins by forwarding the clinic’s voicemails to the AI. Over time, the AI learns how the clinic handles client calls, gradually taking over the front desk responsibilities. This approach allows clinics to experience the benefits of the AI receptionist without having to undergo a steep learning curve or overhaul their existing systems.

How Does Dodo Contribute to Revenue Growth and Cost Reduction?

Dodo’s AI receptionist not only enhances operational efficiency but also contributes to revenue growth and cost reduction for veterinary clinics. By automating repetitive administrative tasks, the AI receptionist reduces the need for additional staffing, thereby lowering operational costs. Furthermore, the AI’s ability to fill missed appointments on short notice helps clinics maintain a steady stream of revenue, even when dealing with unexpected cancellations.

The AI receptionist also improves client satisfaction by ensuring that every call is answered promptly and professionally. Happy clients are more likely to return to the clinic and recommend its services to others, leading to increased client retention and growth. Additionally, by handling tasks such as prescription refills and appointment scheduling, the AI receptionist helps clinics maximize their revenue potential.

What Are the Future Prospects for Dodo?

As Dodo continues to refine and expand its AI receptionist solution, the start-up has the potential to revolutionize front desk operations not only in veterinary clinics but also in other medical practices. The company’s current focus on veterinary clinics is just the beginning; the AI receptionist can be adapted to meet the needs of various medical fields, from dental practices to general clinics.

Dodo’s innovative approach to automating front desk operations has already garnered attention within the industry, and the start-up is poised for significant growth. With a strong team of founders, a unique product offering, and a clear value proposition, Dodo is well-positioned to become a leader in the field of AI-powered customer service solutions for medical practices.

Conclusion

Dodo is more than just an AI receptionist; it’s a game-changer for veterinary clinics struggling with high call volumes, understaffing, and inefficiency. By leveraging advanced AI technology and deep industry knowledge, Dodo provides a solution that not only addresses the immediate challenges faced by clinics but also sets the stage for future growth and innovation. As the start-up continues to develop its product and expand its reach, Dodo is poised to make a lasting impact on the medical industry, one call at a time.