Charleston Animal Society re-accredited by AAHA

Organization Achieves Highest Level of Veterinary Excellence

Charleston Animal Society has once again achieved the highest level of veterinary excellence following a thorough evaluation by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).  Charleston Animal Society was the first combined animal shelter and veterinary clinic in the southeast to earn AAHA accreditation in 2015 after a rigorous review of the organization’s practice protocols, medical equipment, facility and client service.

Currently, only 12% – 15%  of the country’s animal hospitals are accredited.  There are only nine (or approximately 10%) out of over 80 animal hospitals in our tri-county area that are AAHA-accredited.

“This year’s re-accreditation process was more challenging than in the past, because we had to do everything virtually, due to the COVID-19 national health emergency” said Lucy Fuller, DVM, Charleston Animal Society’s Senior Director of Veterinary Care. “But our team pulled together and we are proud to maintain this level of excellence.”

Only the top small animal hospitals in the United States and Canada have achieved accreditation by the Association. Unlike human hospitals, not all animal hospitals are required to be accredited.

Accredited hospitals are the only hospitals that choose to be evaluated on approximately 900 quality standards that go above and beyond basic state regulations, ranging from patient care and pain management to staff training and advanced diagnostic services.

WHY ACCREDITATION MATTERS

AAHA-accredited hospitals are recognized among the finest in the industry and are consistently at the forefront of advanced veterinary medicine. AAHA standards are continuously reviewed and updated to keep accredited practices on the cutting edge of veterinary excellence.

Pet owners look for AAHA-accredited hospitals because they value their pet’s health and trust the consistent, expert care provided by the entire health care team. At AAHA-accredited practices, pet owners can expect to receive the highest quality care from well-trained, professional veterinary teams.

 “We want people to know that when they bring their pet to us for a spay or neuter, their pets will be treated with a level of professionalism and excellence as if they were our own,” Dr. Fuller said. For more information about accreditation, visit:  https://www.aaha.org/your-pet/why-accreditation-matters/