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AAHA

A fluffy gray cat and a small dog stand on an exam table, each held gently by a person in blue scrubs, in a brightly lit veterinary clinic.

Since 1981, Associated Veterinary Medical Center has been proudly accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Approximately 15% of veterinary hospitals in North America voluntarily participate in the AAHA hospital evaluation program and are accredited. Consultants regularly visit these hospitals to ensure compliance with AAHA’s standards for services and facilities.

AAHA is the only organization that accredits animal hospitals throughout the United States and Canada. AAHA-accredited hospitals are evaluated on 900 standards in the following areas:

  • Quality of care

  • Diagnostic and pharmacy

  • Management

  • Medical records

  • Facility

Being an AAHA-accredited practice means the following:

  • The standards require hospitals to provide diagnostic services (X-ray and laboratory) so that they can quickly and accurately diagnose your pet.

  • The standards focus on the quality of care in the areas of anesthesia, contagious diseases, dentistry, pain management, patient care, surgery, and emergency care.

  • Accredited hospitals have an onsite pharmacy (another standards area) so they can begin treatment immediately.

  • AAHA standards also require that medical records be thorough and complete, which helps our veterinarians better understand your pet’s medical history and how past health issues might be impacting their current medical status.

The standards developed and published by AAHA are widely accepted as those components of veterinary practice that represent high quality care. The standards are periodically reviewed and updated to ensure that they remain consistent with evolving knowledge and technology.

Associated Veterinary Medical Center is dedicated to providing the best care possible for your large and small animals. For this reason, we are a voluntary member of the AAHA and challenge ourselves to pass their rigorous tests in order to ensure that we are meeting our mission, vision, and values.

Visit www.aaha.org for information regarding AAHA and what it means for your animals.

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