Companion Animal Clinic AAHA Accreditation Reaffirmed
October 14, 2022
The Companion Animal Clinic recently had its accreditation reaffirmed by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).
AAHA, established in 1933, supports provision of the highest quality of care for companion animals by improving standards of care and championing accreditation. To achieve or maintain accreditation, companion animal hospitals undergo regular The Midwestern University Companion Animal Clinic (CAC), one of three veterinary healthcare facilities operated by the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Animal Health Institute, has received a three-year renewal of its accreditation status by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).
The AAHA accreditation cycle is for a three-year term, and accreditation is achieved after a rigorous, comprehensive evaluation period during which the accredited entity must meet or exceed over 900 different standards set by the Association. The CAC’s Traditional/Primary Care and Referral Services of Anesthesia, Internal Medicine, Neurology, and Surgery were individually evaluated according to these standards and passed with high scores.
“I am tremendously proud of our faculty, staff, and students who prepared for this evaluation and who commit every day to upholding the standards of quality that allow us to meet and exceed the AAHA requirements for accreditation,” says Carla Gartrell, D.V.M., J.D., Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine. “Companion animals are so important to our communities, and consequently we strive to ensure that our quality of care is such that we provide real, lasting value to our patients and their owners.”
The Companion Animal Clinic has been AAHA accredited since its inception in 2015. This year, for the first time, AAHA has also accredited the CAC’s new mentorship and internship programs, which were established to encourage oversight and guidance for new junior faculty and recent Doctor of Veterinary Medicine graduates, respectively.
The American Animal Hospital Association was founded in 1933 and is focused on promoting high-quality standards for the rapidly evolving sector of small-animal private practice through accreditation and other initiatives. These standards were developed to raise the bar of veterinary excellence and have undergone numerous updates throughout the years, always reflecting current industry standards. About 15% of veterinary practices in the United States and Canada are AAHA accredited or preaccredited.
