Whether it’s applying AI, chatbots, wearables, big data, telehealth, biotech, or medical devices, Cherice Roth is using tech to transform pet health. As Chief Medical Officer and Chief Veterinary Officer, she brings the tech, veterinary skills, and empathy to drive success for multiple fast moving companies in pet health.

Describe the Pet Technology field and what you do.

I work to help grow and roadmap for new pet technology companies. I also happen to be an animal doctor/surgeon. I thrive in the unknown or undernourished areas of veterinary medicine that will allow for ALL pets to have access to care.

What about Pet Tech is disrupting other fields? What is threatening Pet Tech?

The old definition of pet care used to mean veterinarian. That is no longer the case.

Much like people want more/crave more control of their own happiness and health the pet owner is no different. The medical aspects of the veterinary field will have to adjust to this new normal.

The biggest threat (although temporary) is current legislation and control of the digital experience for the pet/pet owner by the AVMA and state VMA. They do not have a representative combination of what America looks like and therefore do not have any real idea of what American pets/pet owners really want and need.

How diverse and inclusive is the Pet Tech Ecosystem?

In short, it’s not. Most of the time I’m not only the only woman on a Pet Tech Panel but most certainly the only person of color.

What are the opportunities in the Pet Tech Ecosystem?

I think the biggest opportunity is how to subsidize pet care – not just veterinary care. There’s real opportunity to add to the ability to increase care/access to care for linking human wellness and pet wellness.

“Fear Free” is an important concept in reducing barriers to care in pets – think ”fear free for the whole family”!

Where and by whom is the most promising work in the field being done?

I think that the biggest most promising work technology-wise is Mella and Voyce. Hands down, they are SO close to revolutionizing data capture in regards to hardware.

Another is the AnubisBio team. They are diligently working on marketing DoggyStat which is directly working towards using antibiotics judiciously for diarrhea cases.

What do you do to keep your batteries charged?

My kids, my animals and my husband. Truly my batteries are also recharged by helping to innovate 🙂