Shepherd is a PE-backed cloud PIMS still working through reliability growing pains.
Digitail is an independently owned, AI-native platform with 99.99% uptime, always-on backup servers, and 20+ AI workflows already working in clinics like yours.
• Pet parent app, two-way chat, and telemedicine built in
• Automated reminders, online booking, and internal messaging included
• Native inventory management and integrated payments
• One platform, one login, one bill, no third-party subscriptions
• Clean navigation with minimal clicks
• Workflows follow how your clinic actually operates
• New team members get productive in one shift
• No manuals, codes, or shortcuts to memorize
• AI SOAP dictation and automated discharge notes
• AI-powered intake forms and patient history summaries
• Treatment plan suggestions and voice-to-invoice
• 20+ AI workflows, no add-ons or extra cost
• Free in-house migration from 30+ PIMS, final snapshot included before go-live
• Data exports as searchable records, not PDFs
• Dedicated workflow consultant and personalized staff training
• 99.99% uptime, dual-server redundancy, and 24/7 support after go-live
Shepherd focuses on simplicity and clean SOAP documentation, which works well for small clinics. A few things to weigh: Shepherd is private equity-owned, has had multiple multi-hour outages in early 2026, uses a third-party paid migration that covers only part of your data and exports history as PDFs, has no native pet parent app, and its wellness plans and AI features are still in beta. Digitail is independently owned, runs at 99.99% uptime with dual-server redundancy, offers free in-house migration with searchable records, includes a native pet parent app, and ships 20+ AI workflows in production with wellness plans live for over 12 months.
Yes. Digitail includes 20+ AI workflows built directly into the platform. Tails AI powers SOAP dictation, automated discharge notes, patient history summaries, intake form pre-population, treatment plan suggestions, and voice-to-invoice. These tools save an average of 70 minutes per DVM per day and reduce missed charges. Every AI feature is tested in real clinics before release.
Digitail’s in-house team manages the full process, bringing across all your data and delivering everything as fully searchable records you own. A final snapshot before going live is included, so nothing gets left behind.
Shepherd’s migration, by contrast, is handled by a third-party vendor, covers only a limited subset of your data (no invoices or reports), and delivers historical records as PDFs.
Shepherd may work for small, single-location clinics that prioritize a clean interface, don’t need native wellness plans or a mobile app today, and are comfortable with a PE-owned platform where the roadmap is shaped by investor priorities. If reliability and data portability are top concerns, evaluate carefully.
Digitail is ideal for GP clinics, mobile practices, de novos, and multi-location groups that want a platform they won’t outgrow, with built-in AI, client engagement tools, and reporting that scales. If you run a high-volume specialty or urgent care clinic, Digitail may not be the best fit.
