Shepherd review
A broad veterinary practice suite for clinics that want scheduling and AI notes in one browser-based system.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Shepherd is cloud-based veterinary practice management software for general-practice, mobile, hybrid and multi-location teams. Its scheduling tools cover appointment creation and rescheduling, recurring appointments, client portal booking, and automated email and SMS reminders. The broader system adds SOAP-based medical records, two-way client texting, digital forms, consent forms, integrated payments, inventory tracking and reporting. Clients can also request prescription refills, view medical history, access vaccine certificates and make payments through the portal. That makes Shepherd a fit for clinics seeking core scheduling alongside day-to-day practice management and AI-assisted clinical documentation.
Pricing is handled through a sales conversation: the published approach describes pricing during a demo rather than standard subscription tiers. The client portal is described as free, but Shepherd does not document a standalone software plan at $0. The product is cloud-deployed and runs in a browser on desktop computers, tablets and phones, with no separate app required. Its listed integrations include LifeLearn ClientEd, AutoRemind, Blue Rabbit, Chckvet, Kumba, iVET360 and MicroVet. This browser-based model can suit teams working across locations, while clinics seeking native mobile apps or a broader integration ecosystem may need an alternative.
AI-assisted SOAP capture and clinical decision support are the standout features for practices that want scheduling paired with documentation assistance. Shepherd also includes compliance signals through SOC 2 and PCI DSS, with chat and documentation available for support. However, support is not offered 24/7, and the integration list is narrower than the rest of the product’s feature coverage. Choose Shepherd when a clinic wants scheduling, client communication, records, payments and AI notes together; consider another system when transparent tiered pricing, native mobile apps or extensive integrations are priorities.
Shepherd pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Online portal booking, recurring appointments and automated email and SMS reminders
- Combines records, messaging, payments, forms, inventory and reporting
- AI-assisted SOAP capture and clinical decision support support veterinary workflows
- Where it doesn't
- Standard subscription prices and plan tiers are not published
- No mobile apps; access is through a web browser
- Integration coverage is limited to a defined list of partners
Shepherd fact sheet, pricing and score →
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