AAHA Practice of the Year: The Highest Honor in Veterinary Medicine
Each year, AAHA recognizes one veterinary practice throughout North America that exemplifies excellence in all aspects of veterinary medicine through its prestigious Practice of the Year award. This honor represents the pinnacle of veterinary achievement, celebrating practices that demonstrate:
- Exceptional patient care and client service
- Outstanding team collaboration and workplace culture
- Innovation in veterinary medicine and practice management
- Remarkable commitment to community engagement and education
- Leadership in advancing the veterinary profession
This recognition goes beyond meeting AAHA's rigorous accreditation standards—which is no easy feat. It celebrates practices that set new benchmarks for excellence in all aspects of veterinary medicine. Winners of this award represent the very best in our profession, serving as role models and inspiring other practices to elevate their standards of care.
In 2024, Canobie Lake Veterinary Hospital was delighted to be awarded the AAHA Practice of the Year designation! While we don’t want to boast, there is no higher achievement we could have attained and we are overjoyed that our exceptional devotion to our patients, clients, and team has been recognized.
What AAHA Accreditation Means for Your Pet
Unlike human hospitals, veterinary hospitals are not required to be accredited. We choose to undergo AAHA's comprehensive evaluation because we believe your pet deserves nothing less than the highest standard of care. Every three years, AAHA evaluates nearly 900 standards of veterinary excellence, including:
Advanced Medical Care
- Comprehensive pre-surgical assessments to ensure your pet's safety during procedures
- State-of-the-art monitoring equipment and expert staff during all anesthetic procedures
- Advanced diagnostic and treatment capabilities for complex medical conditions
- Emergency equipment and medications always at the ready
Safety and Cleanliness
- Infection prevention protocols that are up to human-hospital standards
- Regular sterilization testing of all surgical equipment and supplies
- Strict medication management and safety procedures, especially for controlled substances
- Detailed cleaning and sanitization protocols throughout our entire facility, from front to back
Professional Excellence
- Continuous staff education and training to stay at the forefront of the latest innovations in medicine and client care
- Meticulous medical record keeping for accurate transparency
- Regular review and updates of all safety protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
- Implementation of the latest veterinary best practices