Cornell Launches Big Red Bark Chat to Help Dog Owners and Veterinary Professionals Access Trusted Canine Health Information
The Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center (RCHC), has announced the public launch of Big Red Bark Chat, an innovative AI-powered chatbot that provides dog owners and veterinary professionals with trusted canine health information from Cornell experts and the latest canine health research.
Developed in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) Generative AI Innovation Center, Big Red Bark Chat draws from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine’s extensive veterinary knowledge base to help users better understand symptoms, evaluate next steps, and navigate health decisions for their dogs—while underscoring the importance of consulting a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. After a successfully phased rollout to several hundred Cornell students, faculty, and RCHC members in March and April of 2025, the tool is now available more broadly to support the growing demand for accessible, evidence-based veterinary information.
“We know that dog owners and veterinary professionals alike are seeking reliable, expert guidance—often outside of normal clinic hours or when access to specialists is limited,” said Dr. Rory Todhunter, Director of the Riney Canine Health Center. “Big Red Bark Chat is transforming how we share our expertise, extending our ability to share our expertise due to limited resources, and helping bridge the information gap while reinforcing the vital role of veterinary care.”
By applying generative AI to Cornell-vetted content, Big Red Bark Chat empowers pet owners with accurate insights at a high school reading level and offers veterinary clinics an additional educational resource to share with clients, as well as a source for their own knowledge as the tool was trained on the latest CVM curriculum, reviews of the latest canine research and more. The project also aligns with the College of Veterinary Medicine’s mission to advance animal health through research, education, and outreach.
Big Red Bark Chat is accessible online to all dog owners and veterinary professionals. Find more information at the center’s website: https://bigredbarkchat.vet.cornell.edu
