There are only approximately 3,000 veterinary hospitals that hold the “AAHA-accredited” designation. AAHA was founded in 1933 and is the only association that provides voluntary accreditation to companion animal hospitals. They developed the Accreditation Program to raise the level of care provided to companion animals. They also wanted to increase loyalty and teamwork among veterinary staff members and provide a way for practices to show their excellence to their communities and clients. AAHA, along with a group of veterinary professionals, developed the The AAHA Standards of Accreditation as benchmarks of excellence. They also developed the evaluation system where practices are regularly evaluated by a Practice Consultant to ensure they meet AAHA’s standards.

Here is just a brief overview of the over 900 standards that practices are evaluated on every 3 years:
Anesthesia: Methods for assessing anesthetic needs in patients and appropriateness of equipment
Client Service: Communicates well with clients during all aspects of their visit
Contagious Disease: Protocols, processes and facilities to handle contagious diseases and avoid outbreaks
Continuing Education: Continuing education tools and opportunities for staff members
Dentistry: Safe dental procedures that protect both the patient and staff members
Diagnostic Imaging: Diagnostic imaging protocols that create a safe environment for both the patient and staff members
Emergency: Equipment handling and process for emergencies
Examination Room: Properly equipped for thorough examinations
Housekeeping: Cleanliness
Human Resources: Handling of personnel matters
Laboratory: Laboratory services for the prompt diagnosis of patients
Leadership: Leadership’s commitment to creating a positive work environment and providing high-quality care
Medical Records: Continuity of care through medical record details
Pain Management: Pain assessment, management and training
Patient Care: Humane and advantageous care to patients during all aspects of their visit
Pharmacy: Proper handling, storing and dispensing of medications
Safety: Safety of environment for patients, clients and team
Surgery: Patient safety in an aseptic environment with appropriate pre- and post-operative considerations

"There's nobody anywhere, no organization or government agency that oversees the quality of the services in an animal hospital. So this is a voluntary accreditation, and it does set you apart from your competitors."
— Robert M. Mason, DVM, Jefferson Road Animal Hospital, Kokomo, IN