Virtual care? Telehealth? Telemedicine? In veterinary medicine, these terms have certainly been ‘top of mind’ amidst the pandemic. While telehealth (or virtual care) refers to the process of accessing care digitally, telemedicine is geared toward the actual practice of medicine from a remote distance. In the veterinary industry, telemedicine has stood the test of time, first existing as phone calls, then emails and text, and, more recently, through video chat. As this technology improves, so does our connection with pet owners and patients. Since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the veterinary profession has demonstrated robust adaptability—especially in streamlining services through virtual care. This is the future of veterinary medicine and the value of virtual care—and not just in pandemic times; not only do pet owners crave this type of connectivity and engagement in their pet’s health, but using this technology improves efficiency and revenue for veterinary practices. The global veterinary telehealth market size was valued at USD 119.6 million in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.6% from 2022 to 2030. The growing adoption of these management systems can be attributed to the steady growth in the focus on veterinary telehealth along with disease detection. Furthermore, the prevalence of zoonotic and chronic diseases in animals and the rising adoption of IoT & AI by pet parents are some of the major drivers for the market. The increasing prevalence of diseases such as diabetes, kidney diseases, spinal disc problems, and blood pressure-related issues is further fueling the market. The teleconsulting segment held the majority of the revenue share of 29.08% in 2021. The segment growth is attributed to the rising usage among veterinarians to seek consultation from the veterinary specialist via telehealth tools to gain advice & insights regarding the care of the animal. Further, teleconsultation saves transportation costs and reduces ancillary expenses. Thus, expert advice can be taken on an immediate basis without wasting the time for long waiting hours. Such factors are propelling the growth of the segment. From experience owner compliance and willingness to pursue additional diagnostics are often higher when the visit is virtual, as the virtual visit allow more time for education and discussion about why certain diagnostic tests are important. Also important to highlight virtual visits tend to be quicker than in-person visits because there is no need to put the pet in a room or to clean the room after the appointment supporting more consults/hour and because there's no barriers to care, this service may help to bring in new clients. In a recent pilot Study Examining the Experience of Veterinary Telehealth in an Underserved Population, nearly 25% of clients indicated that transportation to a veterinary appointment was a significant barrier to accessing veterinary care. For example, an owner who is really reluctant to bring a pet into the clinic may start with a virtual visit and establish a relationship with the veterinarian. Telehealth is quickly becoming a new career choice for veterinarians, and some leave clinical practice to pursue it. Telehealth allows them to stay in the field they love while working remotely and from the comfort of home. Telehealth benefits veterinarians and clinics by reducing burnout and better utilizing staff members’ time. It helps to stabilize and increase client retention and loyalty and improve associate DVM acquisition and retention.