Here are a few examples of how AAHA’s standards impact you and your pet.

•    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 require that medical records be thorough and complete to help practitioners better understand your pet’s medical history and how past health issues might be impacting their current medical status.

The AAHA Standards of Accreditation, developed and published by AAHA, are widely accepted as representing 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.