Accreditation vital ‘stamp of approval’ for veterinary hospital
All facets of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) Veterinary Medical Centre (VMC) were recently under the microscope as the facility underwent its latest accreditation site visit — a rigorous process that resulted in renewed accreditation status from a leading North American organization for veterinary hospitals.
By Rigel SmithThe American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) reaffirmed the VMC’s accreditation following a full-day site visit on April 8. The outcome is a testament to the VMC’s ongoing commitment to providing top-tier veterinary care for animals across Western Canada. The WCVM’s VMC has held AAHA accreditation continuously since 1977.
Established in 1933, AAHA worked with veterinary experts to develop its accreditation standards as benchmarks of excellence for veterinary clinics and referral centres in the United States and Canada. Clinics must undergo an extensive evaluation to achieve AAHA accreditation and must be re-evaluated every three years to maintain their status.
Voluntary AAHA accreditation ensures that the WCVM’s teaching hospital remains current with developments in veterinary medicine and continues offering the highest quality of care and service. Only about 12 per cent of North American veterinary hospitals achieve this designation.
Tammy Lucas, the VMC’s chief operating officer, was part of the committee that prepared for the April visit. She says renewing the voluntary accreditation provides a meaningful “stamp of excellence” for the VMC.
“The AAHA accreditation is about more than just compliance — it’s about striving for excellence in every aspect of veterinary care,” says Lucas. “It’s an opportunity to examine how we do things and make sure we are providing the best possible service to our patients and clients.”
The accreditation process included facility tours and meetings with leadership and various teams to ensure all aspects of care aligned with AAHA’s high standards.
“Each department plays a crucial role,” adds Lucas. “From our reception team ensuring client communication is seamless to our technicians and veterinarians implementing best practices in patient care, it’s truly a team effort.”
Beyond patient care, AAHA accreditation also evaluates leadership, collaboration and wellness within the hospital. Lucas says these elements are especially important in a teaching hospital that trains veterinary students, clinical interns and residents.
“Students need to see that teamwork, communication and well-being are all fundamental to a well-functioning hospital,” she says.
Lucas adds that AAHA’s strong focus on safety is another key component — one that students carry with them into their future careers.
The accreditation also benefits the wider community. While clients may not always see the behind-the-scenes work at the VMC, Lucas hopes the AAHA’s “stamp of approval” offers reassurance about the level of care their animals receive.
“We’re a teaching hospital, but we’re also here to meet the needs of the community,” Lucas says. “Our clients want cutting-edge medicine, the best diagnostics and a team that’s up to date with the latest advancements. Accreditation ensures we meet those expectations.”
AAHA accreditation is just one of several certifications maintained by the VMC. The college’s veterinary teaching hospital also undergoes accreditation visits organized by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education, Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association (SVMA), and the University of Saskatchewan’s Research Ethics Board.
“These accreditations work hand in hand to ensure we meet the highest standards in veterinary education, research and clinical care,” says Lucas.
Throughout the accreditation process, Lucas and the VMC’s clinical team remained focused on continuous improvement.
“Our team is incredibly committed to what they do,” she says. “This accreditation is about maintaining that culture of excellence every single day.”