Booking turns on with the AI receptionist. We connect Shepherd now; until that is switched on for your line, the receptionist takes a message instead.
Setup steps
- Choose Connect. A short guided-setup form opens, and our team takes it from there.
- An owner or admin creates an integration key in Shepherd (Admin, Integrations) and pastes it into the secure key form on the Connectors page in the app. Never by email.
- Tell us the doctors, visit types and lengths the AI may book.
- We test with you, then turn on booking and confirm on your ticket.
Sending us your API key. Never email it or paste it in a ticket. A workspace owner or admin pastes it into the secure key form on the Connectors page in the app (choose Paste your API key next to Shepherd). It is stored encrypted and we only ever show its last 4 characters.
Permissions we ask for, and why
- Read appointments and providers: So the AI works out open times for the doctors you choose.
- Read clients and patients: So the AI recognises a returning client and their pets by phone number.
- Create, move and cancel appointments: So the AI books the confirmed time and changes only that client's appointments.
What the AI receptionist will do
- Will offer open times for the doctors and visit types you allow.
- Will confirm the pet, reason and time before booking.
- Will move or cancel only appointments for the client on the number calling.
- Will route anything urgent to staff.
What it can't do, and limits
- Guided setup: our team connects it with you and tests it on your account before callers rely on it.
- Shepherd charges your practice for API access (listed at $35 per site per month). The key is created in Shepherd under Admin, Integrations.
- Shepherd reviews integrations from outside partners. We handle that with Shepherd when you ask.
- The AI books only visit types you allow; anything clinical goes to staff.
The AI says something is booked or ordered only when Shepherd confirms it. If Shepherd doesn't answer in time, the AI takes a message instead and tells the caller someone will follow up.
Troubleshooting
Where do I find the key?
In Shepherd under Admin, Integrations. Paste it only into the secure key form on the Connectors page.
Does Shepherd charge for this?
Shepherd lists API access at $35 per site per month, billed by Shepherd.
Disconnecting, and the data we keep
An owner or admin can disconnect at any time from Phone, then Connectors, in the app. Disconnecting stops TimberSwitch using Shepherd straight away.
- Your Shepherd clinic id and an encrypted copy of the key. We only show its last 4 characters.
- A log of each booking, move or cancellation: time, appointment id and a masked caller number.
- Deleting the key or disconnecting removes it straight away.
Still stuck?
Get help: it opens an Integration support ticket. Include the time of the call and what you expected to happen.
Shepherd Veterinary Software is a trademark of its owner; TimberSwitch is not affiliated.