Just Cats Proud to Earn AAHA Accreditation

This is a sponsored post by veterinarian Elizabeth Arguelles, owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza. She writes weekly on Reston Now.

Just Cats Clinic is proud to have recently become accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), an organization that helps veterinary practices operate at the highest level of client and patient care.

What is AAHA?

The American Animal Hospital Association is an international organization that has established standards widely viewed as the highest in the pet health care industry. As such, is it the only association that offers accreditation to animal hospitals in the U.S. and Canada.

To become accredited, a veterinary practice must agree to be evaluated according to 900 different industry standards. These include quality of care, diagnostics, pharmaceutical options, team management, anesthesia, medical recordkeeping, safety, and the facility and practice in general.

If a practice meets these criteria and passes the AAHA inspection, the clinic receives its accreditation, thereby putting it in a prestigious group of practices that provide the highest level of veterinary care. Every accredited hospital is reviewed and inspected every three years to ensure that the patients continue to receive care that is consistent with innovations in treatment options and technology.

AAHA accreditation offers veterinary hospitals the opportunity to take a holistic approach to the practice ensuring that every aspect of the clinic is run efficiently and to the highest standard. AAHA even requires all staff including assistants, technicians, front desk, doctors and management to complete a certain number of continuing education hours to ensure the practice, at every level, provides the best and latest in veterinary care.

How does choosing an AAHA-accredited hospital benefit you and your cat?

First, the AAHA seal of approval ensures that you and your pet receive the best possible medical treatment. Opting to visit an AAHA-accredited facility, like Just Cats Clinic, gives you the assurance that the clinic’s standards are consistent with the industry’s best. Accredited clinics work to provide high-quality care in areas such as anesthesia, contagious diseases, dentistry, pain management, general patient care, surgery and emergency services.

Furthermore, accredited veterinary practices can provide faster diagnostic services, such as x-rays and laboratory work, because those procedures are done in-house. AAHA also encourages practices to offer alternative approaches like acupuncture and laser therapy.

AAHA-accredited clinics will also ensure that your cat’s medical records are always complete and up-to-date, so that no past health issues are missed when you go in for your exam. An AAHA veterinary clinic’s exam for your pet includes additional checks like pain assessments, body condition scoring, dental health, and even nutritional evaluations each year.

Visit the AAHA website to find out more or to find an AAHA hospital near you.