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What It Means To Be AAHA Accredited

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is an organization that sets very high standards of professional care that pets and clients should expect from an animal hospital. These high standards deal with not only what type of equipment a hospital needs to have, but also that the hospital is following the latest, most advanced treatment protocols set forth by experts.

If a hospital wants to receive AAHA accreditation, the animal hospital and protocols will be examined every three years to ensure that the standards meet or exceed their standards. We are proud to say Fox Animal Hospital is one of only 12% of all animal hospitals in the United States to have received the AAHA accreditation.

Fear Free Pet Care

Do you have a pet that is terrified of going to the vet? Does this make getting important treatments for them virtually impossible? At Fox Animal Hospital, we’ve been working hard to alleviate fear in our patients. How do we do it? By becoming Fear Free Certified Professionals!

Our team currently has a number of Fear Free Certified Professionals. We’re extremely proud of their achievements in this area of pet care, and we look forward to sharing what we’ve learned with you.

What it Means to be Fear Free Certified

To become Fear Free Certified, each individual team member must complete special courses in various areas of veterinary care to anticipate patient needs and behaviors. They also learn new handling techniques, along with ways to reduce stress in pets before they’re even brought through our doors. Some of the steps we take to create a more calming environment for pets include:

  • Bringing pets into exam rooms right away so they don’t have to encounter other animals in the lobby
  • Using feline pheromones to help cats feel more at-ease
  • Examining pets on the floor, in their carriers or on their owners’ laps
  • Speaking in lower voices and avoiding making loud and/or abrupt noises
  • A less “hands on” approach to handling animals
  • Using treats to distract pets during treatment
  • Being able to anticipate factors that may trigger anxiety or fear
  • …and more

If you have questions about the Fear Free program and how it benefits your pet or need to book an appointment, you are more than welcome to call us at (847) 869-4900 or use our online form.