IV. Discussion

The deployment of PetJoyPlus over a one-month pilot period, from December 19, 2024, to January 19, 2025, demonstrated several key benefits, as reflected in the collected data:

A. Enhanced Efficiency: PetJoyPlus made life easier for both pet owners and veterinary clinics by streamlining appointment scheduling and medical record management. By reducing the time spent on manual data entry and appointment coordination, clinics were able to handle more patients without the added stress. Automated reminders helped reduce missed appointments, making the whole process run smoother and more efficiently. Looking ahead, we plan to add features like real-time availability tracking and emergency priority booking to make the experience even more seamless.

B. Improved Communication: One of the standout benefits of PetJoyPlus was how it brought pet owners and veterinarians closer together. Real-time notifications about appointments, treatments, and pet health kept everyone on the same page. Pet owners could easily access their pets' medical records and track health progress from home, cutting down on unnecessary clinic visits. Meanwhile, veterinarians had a comprehensive view of each pet’s history, helping them provide care that was more personalized and effective. This open line of communication strengthened the bond between pet owners and clinics, leading to happier and more satisfied users.

C. Proactive Health Management: PetJoyPlus gave pet owners the tools they needed to take a more proactive approach to their pets’ health. By offering easy access to treatment plans, vaccination schedules, and health updates, the platform helped pet owners stay on top of their pets’ well-being. Real-time tracking of health metrics encouraged greater engagement, which can lead to better long-term health outcomes. In future updates, we plan to add even more features, like a pet health tracker and symptom checker, to help pet owners stay fully informed and actively involved in their pets’ care.

D. Reduced Missed Appointments: A major goal for the pilot was to cut down on missed appointments by at least 30%. Thanks to automated reminders and a more efficient scheduling system, we saw a significant reduction in missed visits. Pet owners were notified well in advance about upcoming appointments, which helped ensure their pets got the care they needed when they needed it. Going forward, we aim to enhance this feature by adding an emergency booking system to ensure even more timely appointments.

E. Better Access to Services: PetJoyPlus also helped pet owners discover local veterinary services and pet stores through its shop-to-shop recommendation system. This feature made it easier for pet owners to find trusted clinics and pet care providers in their area, creating a stronger sense of community. It also provided local businesses with new opportunities to reach pet owners, ultimately making pet care more accessible and convenient for everyone involved.

Figure 6 :Reduced Results

Figure 6 The system displays the pet diagnosis record interface in the PetJoyPlus system, listing recent health evaluations for pets. The table includes columns for the pet owner's name, pet's name, diagnosis date, and health status. Four entries are shown: Monina’s pet Rafs was diagnosed with Ehrlichia on December 26, 2024; Jennifer’s pet Aspin, Leah’s pet Orea, and Dazole’s pet Doki were all diagnosed with a fungal disease on either December 22 or 26, 2024.

Figure 7: Appointment Report

Figure 7, The PetJoyPlus platform presents the appointment report summary for PetJoyPlus, tracking scheduled and missed appointments over two weeks. The table displays the weekly breakdown with corresponding start and end dates, total appointments, and missed appointments categorized by type: Walk-in and PJP (PetJoyPlus platform). In both Week 1 (2024-12-19 to 2024-12-26) and Week 2 (2024-12-27 to 2025-01-03), two appointments were recorded, with no missed appointments in either category.

Figure 8: Facility Booking Efficiency and Utilization

Finally, Figure 8 illustrates the booking information interface of PetJoyPlus , showcasing scheduled veterinary facility usage. Each entry logs the date, time slot, facility availability, capacity, number of patients, and veterinarians present. The data indicates that all facilities are available, each with specific capacity and patient counts, and both slots show low urgency status. The system includes a date filter for refined search and a “View” button for detailed slot information.

While functional, improvements can enhance usability and clarity. These include introducing color-coded status indicators (e.g., Low/Medium/High), adding pet type or case urgency details, and integrating a calendar or timeline view for better visualization. To avoid confusion, clearer labeling of time fields (e.g., "Start" and "End" instead of just times) and consistency in capacity-to-patient ratio display would help. Furthermore, integrating notifications for overbooked or underutilized slots and enabling real-time updates could streamline management for veterinary staff.