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About AAHA
The American Animal Hospital Association
(AAHA) is an international association
of more than 17,000 veterinary care
providers who treat companion animals.
Established in 1933, AAHA is well known
among veterinarians and pet owners for
its standards for hospitals and pet
health care. Over 2,800 veterinary
hospitals voluntarily participate in the
AAHA hospital evaluation program.
Trained consultants regularly visit
these hospitals to ensure compliance
with AAHA's standards for services and
facilities. Individual veterinarians can
also be members of AAHA. These affiliate
members subscribe to the same general
principles as hospital members but do
not participate in AAHA hospital
evaluations.
AAHA reminds pet
owners that they can help pets live
healthier and longer lives by taking
their pets to the veterinarian for
annual physical exams, vaccinations, and
dental care as well as providing pets
with fresh water, a balanced diet, and
exercise. |
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Choosing a
Veterinary Hospital
It's important to choose a veterinary
hospital before you need one. Ask
family, friends and neighbors for
recommendations. Once you find a
hospital, take some time to check it
out. Ask for a tour of the facility, and
use your eyes and nose to detect
cleanliness. Also check if the facility
is well lit. Does it have laboratory
equipment? Is there gas anesthesia? If
it doesn't meet your expectations, turn
around and leave.
Hospitals that are accredited by the
American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
meet high veterinary care standards.
Each hospital voluntarily completes a
detailed evaluation of its services and
equipment. Then a trained practice
consultant thoroughly inspects the
hospital to make sure it meets AAHA's
high standards in the areas of:
- emergency
services
- surgery and
anesthesia
- radiology
services
- pathology
services
- nursing care
- pharmacy
- dentistry
- examination
facilities
- pet medical
records
- medical library
- housekeeping and
maintenance
Less than 18 percent
of the small animal veterinary hospitals
in the United States and Canada are
accredited AAHA members.
Click on AAHA link
above for more information about AHAA
acceditation. |
