AI Meets Veterinary Relief Staffing
Serenity Vet’s new platform is designed to analyze pay, timing and demand to help clinics improve relief coverage. It may even redefine how temporary veterinarians are valued.
Serenity Vet has rolled out a new AI powered Predictability Score designed to help veterinary clinics improve their relief shift fill rates by making data driven compensation decisions.
The AI Predictability Score analyzes key variables – pay rate, location, shift timing and length, required procedures, and local competition – to determine the likelihood that a shift will be filled. As clinics adjust those parameters, the score updates in real time, offering immediate insight into how attractive their offer is to the relief vet market.
Dr. Andrew Ciccolini, co-founder of Serenity Vet, sees the new tool as a major step toward reshaping the relief veterinary landscape.
“Relief veterinarians are often treated as short-term solutions – brought in when there’s a staffing gap, just to get coverage,” said Dr. Ciccolini. “But we believe this relationship can – and should – be more sustainable and mutually beneficial.”
As clinics nationwide grapple with rising operational costs and long-term staffing shortages, the relief veterinary model has gained traction. Serenity Vet aims to formalize and improve this model by providing clinics and veterinarians with tools that foster a more strategic, long-term partnership.
“This is especially relevant in today’s economy,” Dr. Ciccolini continued. “The number of relief veterinarians has grown significantly, and surveys show that a large percentage of full-time veterinarians are actively considering the switch. It’s an emerging economy that calls for a more strategic, long-term partnership between clinics and relief vets.”
Serenity Vet’s platform includes a profitability calculator, income forecasting tools, average pay rate benchmarks, overtime tracking, and production bonuses for high-demand shifts like ER and urgent care. These features, combined with the Predictability Score, are designed to give both sides a fair, transparent and efficient system.
“We don’t dictate what clinics should pay; they set their own terms, and the AI simply offers guidance and actionable insight,” said Dr. Ciccolini. “The goal is to make relief staffing a reliable, profitable part of the business.”
The platform also offers real-time income dashboards for relief vets, empowering them to set financial goals and track progress.
“Our income forecasting tools let veterinarians set their hourly rate, how many days they want to work, how much time off they need, and what they hope to earn. The system then calculates whether they’re on track, with a live dashboard showing their current, forecasted and target income,” Ciccolini said.
In a profession where burnout is rampant – especially among full-time veterinarians – relief work is often seen as a path to flexibility and reduced stress. However, Serenity Vet recognizes that the relief model itself is evolving.
“Various reports show that as many as 40% of veterinarians have considered leaving the profession,” said Dr. Ciccolini. “For some, switching to relief can be a way to stay by escaping the challenges of full-time work and gaining more independence. In fact, relief vets historically report the lowest burnout rates.”
But recent data shows that burnout among relief vets is on the rise. The 2025 AVMA Report noted declining satisfaction levels, even among those in relief roles.
“This trend may signal new pressures emerging inside the relief model itself,” Dr. Ciccolini said. “We believe technology can help address those issues by bringing structure, visibility, and control to relief work.”
From seamless payments and flexible contracts to automated overtime approval and detailed financial planning, Serenity Vet is working to remove traditional pain points in the relief staffing process.
“Relief work gives the profession flexibility,” he added. “We are making that flexibility sustainable with technology.”
The Predictability Score also plays a key role in shifting how relief vets are viewed within the industry. Instead of being seen as temporary or interchangeable, the platform helps clinics recognize their financial and operational value.
“The combination of the profitability calculator, AI Predictability Score, and average cost in the area transforms how clinics view and engage relief vets,” said Dr. Ciccolini. “Instead of being seen as temporary ‘fill-ins,’ relief veterinarians become strategic contributors to a clinic’s financial and operational success.”
This system not only increases shift fill rates for clinics but also ensures relief veterinarians are matched with opportunities where their skills are most needed and appreciated.
“Relief veterinarians aren’t just filling shifts. They have real revenue impact, they contribute value, and the system should reflect that.”
The technology works behind the scenes to align expectations between clinics and vets, reduce friction, and foster long-term, mutually beneficial relationships.
By bringing transparency, control and data to the forefront, the platform is positioning relief vets not as stopgap solutions, but as essential partners in delivering high-quality care and sustaining veterinary practices.
“Serenity Vet isn’t just a shift-matching platform – it’s a business suite built for a new relief economy,” Dr. Ciccolini concluded. “Where both clinics and veterinarians can be financially successful with clarity, balance and control.”
What’s evaluated
Drawing on historical market data and current activity, the AI Predictability Score evaluates:
- Compensation relative to local market rates
- Geographic location and travel requirements
- Timing and duration of the shift
- Complexity and type of work involved
- Competition for available professionals in the area
Photo credit: istockphoto.com/Jacob Wackerhausen
