We love our dogs and cats so much and only want the best for them. That’s why this week we’re celebrating #AAHADay and giving 3-paws up to the 12 to 14 percent of North American clinics that go the extra mile to get accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association.
How AAHA-Accredited Vet Clinics Go the Extra Mile
Amputation – well, any big surgery, really – is scary. One thing that can make it less frightening is by knowing that your veterinary team has stepped up and voluntarily agreed to meet the highest and most current levels of care as defined by the American Animal Hospital Association’s national task force of veterinary professionals.
FACT: nearly 60 percent of pet owners think their pet’s veterinary hospital is accredited when it is not.
AAHA is the only organization that accredits veterinary hospitals in the United States and Canada. The top-notch clinics that meet AAHA standards have passed a rigorous accreditation process that involves the whole team, from the vets to the kennel staff and beyond.
AAHA President Dr. Nancy Soares explains:
Every AAHA-accredited hospital meets the highest levels of performance for:
- emergency services
- pain management
- contagious diseases
- surgery and anesthesia
- radiology services
- pathology services
- nursing care
- diagnostic and pharmacy
- dentistry
- examination facilities
- pet medical records
- medical library
- housekeeping and maintenance
Check out how accreditation works: it’s tough! And once a clinic is AAHA-accredited, it doesn’t stop there. AAHA clinics must pass regular reviews every few years in order to keep their accreditation. Their staff is constantly learning at events like the annual AAHA Conference where Tripawds exhibited earlier this year.
Let’s Celebrate the Best Vet Care!
We know there are many great vets out there who aren’t AAHA-accredited. Of course they do good work and we understand they have their reasons for not participating. But when complications happen after a major procedure like amputation – as they did in Oliver’s case – we’re pretty sure that most pet parents might sleep better if their clinic is AAHA-accredited. Oliver’s vets at the top-rated AAHA-accredited Friendship Hospital in Washington, DC helped him through the ruff spots and he’s doing great now!
If your hospital is accredited like Friendship Hospital, it means your pet is being cared for by one of the top 12–15 percent of animal hospitals in the United States and Canada. Not sure if your hospital is accredited? Use the AAHA-Accredited Hospital Locator tool to find out. (read more at AAHA’s “Pet’s Matter” blog)
Human hospitals that serve people with Medicare insurance must meet the performance standards of the Joint Commission. It’s not voluntary for them, so we ask: why do vet clinics get to opt out? When it comes to veterinary care, we believe our animals deserve the highest standards too.
Spread the word on #AAHADay this Friday July 22nd. Let’s give shout outs to vet clinics that step up to get AAHA-accredited! They’re truly making life better for our dogs and cats.
Share your story on AAHA’s Facebook Page!
Learn More
AAHA Pets Matter: AAHA Celebrates Excellent Veterinary Care
Catch the Latest Vet Care News from the 2016 AAHA Conference in Austin!