Bark Buddy App

ABSTRACT

BarkBuddy is a mobile application designed to serve as an all-in-one solution for dog owners. This app offers a wide range of features and resources aimed at helping dog owners find the perfect canine companion in shelters. Additionally, it facilitates pet training, overall well-being management, and provides essential veterinary information to both experienced and novice dog guardians. BarkBuddy's goal is to simplify dog ownership. 

FEATURES

User-Friendly:  easy-to-navigate interface for all users
Secure: Protect user data and ensure secure transactions in 
the shop and for online services
Search Functionality: Implement a robust search engine for users to quickly find information and services
Personalization: Allow users to customize their dog adoption choices
Ratings/Reviews: Allow users to leave reviews and ratings
Accessible Services: Provide quick recommendations
Appointment Scheduling: Find and schedule appointments with dog services quickly and easily

HEAT MAPS

Our two MAZE (heat map) tests proved to us that we needed to think broader with our navigation. Our misclick rate ranged from 50%-65% per mission. Although users were completing their missions at a 65%-75% rate, we knew we could do better.  Once we changed the prototype so that Users could still complete their flow via other avenues, our Mission completion rate increased to 85%-100%! This was a huge improvement.

We used Figma for our Observational Test. This was a very successful test as the hi-fidelity prototype proved very popular and navigation was much smoother with the full color and photos. We only had favorable feedback at this stage.

• 42.9% said that they’d use an app to locate services for their dog
• 73.7% said that they would use an app recommended by both their vet and a friend
• 7 out of 9 interviewees had spayed or neutered their dogs for health reasons and to prevent more puppies
• 42.9% do not hire anyone to help them with their pet
• 4 out of 9 interviewees expressed a need to train their 
dogs for behavioral issues
• 4 dogs were adopted
Interviewees spent approximately $500 a month on their dogs
• 33.8% spend up to $300/ a month on pet care
• 49.4% had an income above $60K
• 11.7% said location or finances played a role in caring for their dog
• 6 out of 9 people reported that they knew someone who had returned a dog due to behavioral issues

• Participants identified as males, females and gender neutral
• Aged between 25 and 55
• This age range spends most money on their dogs
• Owned dogs for an extended period and had prior experience with dogs
• None of the interviewees used a dog app to obtain medical information
• Interviewees preferred to consult their vet or contact friends for information
• Nearly all interviewees identified unconditional love as the most rewarding aspect of dog ownership

Team Fuzzy Paws: Myself, Neetika Satooor and Joe Mooy.