We are very proud that Everett Veterinary Hospital & Boarding House became AAHA accredited in 2012. Furthermore, we are the only veterinary hospital within almost 100 miles to have achieved and maintained the status currently.
What AAHA Means for You as a client;
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is an international organization that serves veterinary hospitals. Established in 1933, AAHA is well known among veterinarians and pet owners for its high standards required for hospitals for quality pet health care. Veterinary hospitals voluntarily choose to participate in AAHA's rigorous hospital evaluation program that includes approximately 1,000 criteria. Trained consultants regularly visit these hospitals to ensure compliance with AAHA's standards.
The Standards and the Accreditation Program
The Standards developed and published by AAHA are widely accepted as representing those components of veterinary practice that represent high quality veterinary care. The Standards are periodically reviewed and updated to ensure that they remain consistent with evolving knowledge and technology. The standards focus on: Anesthesia, Client Service, Contagious Disease, Continuing Education, Dentistry, Diagnostic Imaging and Evaluation, Emergency and Urgent Care, Exam Facilities, Human Resources, Laboratory, Leadership, Medical Records, Pain Management, Patient Care, Pharmacy, Safety & Surgery.
Veterinary Hospitals that wish to be accredited complete a lengthy application process, which culminates with an on-site visit by a veterinary professional employed by AAHA. The practices that are found to be in compliance with AAHA's policies and Standards are awarded AAHA Accredited Practice status. In order to maintain accreditation, the practice must undergo periodic review and additional on-site evaluations at intervals of every two to three years.
What Accreditation Means for Pet Owners
Choosing an AAHA accredited veterinary practice for your pet's medical care assures you that the practice has the facilities, equipment, staff training, quality care and medical protocols that AAHA believes are important. Further, voluntary commitment to the AAHA Standards and the Accreditation Program demonstrates that the practice has chosen to have itself measured by an outside organization against the most rigorous published Standards in the industry.
AAHA would like to remind pet owners that they can help their pets live healthier and longer lives by taking their pets to the veterinarian for semi-annual physical exams & practicing preventive medicine through annual blood work evaluations, routine vaccinations and dental care. They also want to stress the importance of a good quality balanced diet and maintaining a healthy body weight through exercise.