Sunday’s recap: 8 resources for choosing the best veterinarian

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Lots of pet owners stress about finding a veterinarian. If you’re one of them, don’t worry! Finding the right is much more than just seeking out a medical professional. You need an expert in veterinary medicine and someone who will meet the needs of you and your pet. Choosing the best veterinarian is time consuming, but it will pay off big in the long run.

The absolute worst time to look for a veterinarian is when you need one. If your dog is in pain or something is wrong with her and you don’t know what to do, you’re going to be more likely to settle for the first vet that you find. You’ll want to find a vet as soon as possible to make sure your pet gets cared for quickly.

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Planning ahead is the best thing that you can do. Start researching veterinarians in your area before you get a dog. If you’ve decided to adopt a pet, you know you’ll need a vet. Why wait to find the right veterinarian until you’re crunched for time?

8 Resources for Choosing the Best Veterinarian

1. The Humane Society of the United States

Narrowing your veterinary search isn’t difficult. Once you weed out the ones that don’t have the proper credentials, you’ll already be well on your way. As The Humane Society of the United States explains in this article, there are a few specific credentials that you’ll need to look for. If you’re in search of a veterinary specialist there are other certifications that you need to ask about.

• Check for accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association. AAHA accreditation means that a veterinary hospital has voluntarily pursued and met AAHA’s standards in the areas of facility, equipment and quality care. If you’re looking for a specialist, ask about board certification. This means the vet has studied an additional two to four years in the specialty area and passed a rigorous exam.

2. The American Animal Hospital Association

As the previous article mentions, it is best to check for a vet that is accredited by the AAHA. Veterinary hospitals do not need this accreditation to practice veterinary medicine, but if they put in the work to become accredited it shows that they are committed to meeting standards in many different areas of the field.

An AAHA accreditation means that the veterinary hospital is willing to prove that they provide safe, high-quality care for all of their patients. If you’re curious about what it takes to be accredited by the organization, check out this article on their website.

• Hospitals that are accredited by AAHA meet high veterinary care standards. Each hospital voluntarily completes a detailed evaluation of its services and equipment. Then a practice consultant thoroughly evaluates the hospital to make sure it meets AAHA’s high standards in the areas of:

• emergency services
• pain management
• contagious diseases
• surgery and anesthesia…

3. The American Veterinary Medical Association weighs in

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