There's An App For That: Milford Animal Hospital Revamps Software

MILFORD, CT — Milford pet owners now have another way to engage with the Milford Animal Hospital: A mobile app, where they can contact the hospital, post photos of their pets and earn rewards points.

The app is called "Milford Animal Hospital" and is available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Though it has been around for a year and a half, the clinic has doubled down on efforts to grow its presence over the last six months, said Hospital Administrator Patti Cuzino.

"With all the COVID pets, people are complaining about not being able to get through on the phone. Even though we've added lines, we've added staff, the phones just won't stop ringing," Cuzino said. "So by having the app, they can communicate with us through chat, they can request orders through there, they can request appointments. It's worked out quite nice that we can have an alternate method of communication."

And in addition to communicating with customers through the app, the clinic is using it to reward its patrons as well.

The hospital's rewards program, which typically grants customers one "paw" for every $100 they spend, now grants "paws" for app usage.

Users receive one paw for downloading the app, one paw for uploading a photo to the clinic's monthly selfie contest, and three paws if other users vote that photo the winner of the contest, Cuzino said. Paws can be redeemed for money off hospital purchases.

If a user grants permission, Cuzino said, she will upload a photo of their pet into the hospital's practice management software so it will be printed on customers' future invoices.

"We have other apps that have other features, but we really like this app, because it has so many different features and functions in it, and it keeps improving," Cuzino said.