AAHA has offered accreditation since its inception in 1933, when leaders in the organization and other veterinary experts teamed up to create specific standards for practices of care for companion animals. Over time, these principles have been updated to reflect improved standards of animal care.
To become accredited, a non-accredited member practice must apply and make use of the AAHA accreditation evaluation tool on the AAHA website. A practice consultant will follow up on the application, and the applying veterinary hospital will receive notice about three months prior to the evaluation. Once evaluation fees are paid and the evaluation has been completed, if the applicant is accepted for accreditation, it will receive an AAHA letter of congratulations and certificate and can begin using the AAHA Accredited Practice designation.