Petable
Students were asked to design an app that is not already in the app store and addresses specific pain points. For my app, I decided to create a resource for pet owners with special needs pets or anyone considering adopting one. Adopting a special needs animal is a very noble thing to do, but many don’t consider it because they believe it would require too much work and time to care for it. My main goal was to help end that stigma and create a resource that will ease the minds of anyone worried about taking care of a specially abled pet. I designed the app to walk the user through the entire process from research, to finding a perfect pet match suitable for the owner’s lifestyle, and the preparation for its arrival.
Pain Points to Address
I’m looking into adopting a special needs pet, but I’m getting different information on websites
I don’t know if I should be buying special food/toys for my disabled pet
I don’t know how to go about getting my pet’s medication
I can’t keep up with my pet’s paperwork
Upon logging into the app, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire if you are looking to adopt. Different disabilities in pets require different levels of caretaking. For example, a blind cat doesn’t require as much daily attention as a cat with cerebellar hypoplasia. The questionnaire is meant to get a better understanding of your lifestyle, so the app can match you up with pets that are most suitable for you.
Once the app has determined what disabilities you may be able to handle based on your answers, there will be plenty of resources for you to learn about these disabilities. Causes, symptoms, and treatment can be found all in one place. There’s also options for you to chat with a vet if you have specific questions. After that comes the fun part. The app will match you up with pets found in local shelters with the aforementioned disabilities. Swipe through potential new friends and learn about their medical history. Once you find your match made in heaven, the app will guide you through the process of getting ready for your new friend’s arrival, including where to find any medication they may need. Just in case you lose track of important medical documents, there’s also a feature that allows you to scan and store documents, which you can then share with vets whenever needed.
