Accreditations
From the inception of our practice, we have seen ourselves as dedicated professionals working together to do an excellent job for our clients, patients, and the profession. We attribute our success to our well-trained compassionate staff and the variety and quality services we offer.
AAHA-Accredited Practice
AAHA-accredited practices are at the heart of better care for pets and their people. They hold themselves to a higher standard (up to 900 higher standards, in fact). Pets are their passion and keeping them healthy is their number-one priority.
AAHA is the only organization that accredits veterinary practices in the United States and Canada. Practices that choose to pursue accreditation are evaluated on stringent quality standards that encompass all aspects of veterinary medicine—from pain management and patient care to team training and medical recordkeeping—and are continuously updated to keep accredited practice teams at the forefront of the profession.
Today, only 12%–15% of veterinary practices in the US and Canada hold the “AAHA-accredited” designation.
AAHA’s standards of accreditation for general veterinary practices are listed below:
- Anesthesia
- Client Service
- Continuing Education
- Dentistry
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Emergency and Critical Care
- Internships
- Laboratory
- Leadership
- Patient Care
- Pharmacy
- Safety
- And more!
Learn more about what makes a veterinary practice AAHA Accredited by watching the video below.
Thanks to these goals we have multiple accreditations and awards in our field. These include our clinic being certified by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) as an Accredited Member since 1997, the featuring of our clinic as the winner of the Hospital Design Competition in the June 2002 issue of Veterinary Economics, and by our practice keeping an A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau.
At Hartrick Veterinary Clinic, we love our feline friends! That’s why our team is passionate about educating the community and our clients about declawing alternatives, zoonotic disease, and ensuring an enjoyable experience at your next vet visit.
Cat-Friendly Practice
The Cat-Friendly Practice® program is a global initiative designed to elevate care for cats by reducing stress and making visits easier for cats and caregivers. This is accomplished by supporting the veterinary team so the entire staff is educated and knowledgeable about your cats’ distinct needs and behaviors.
Cat-Friendly Practices® must also meet specific criteria within their practice to earn this designation, which includes providing a waiting area for cats that is separate from other animals (or alternative options to reduce stress prior to entering the exam room) and implementing best practices to reduce stress throughout the visit (exam room, physical exam, pain management, operating and anesthesia, dentistry, diagnostic imaging, and more).
When you visit a Cat Friendly Practice® you can expect the veterinary team to:
- Understand the unique needs and behaviors of cats.
- Have a feline-friendly environment and make veterinary visits more cat friendly.
- Understand how to approach and handle cats in a gentle, empathetic, and caring manner.
- Have the appropriate equipment and facilities needed to diagnose and treat feline patients.
- Meet specific standards for the facility and care of hospitalized cats.
2025 BBB Torch Award for Ethics Winner
We are incredibly proud to be the recipient of the Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethics, one of the highest honors a business can receive for integrity and ethical business practices. This award is given to companies that go above and beyond to build trust with their clients, uphold transparency in all interactions, and demonstrate a strong commitment to doing what is right—even when no one is watching.
At Shallowford Animal Hospital, this recognition reinforces what we strive to do every day: provide honest, compassionate care in a respectful, family-like environment. From medical recommendations to financial transparency, we believe in clear communication and ethical decision-making at every step.
Being named a Torch Award winner is not just a badge of honor—it’s a reflection of our values and a promise to our clients and community that we will always prioritize integrity, accountability, and the well-being of your pets.
BBB Accreditation
Shallowford Animal Hospital is proud to be a BBB Accredited Business, a distinction awarded to organizations that meet the Better Business Bureau’s high standards for trust, honesty, and transparency.
BBB Accreditation means we are committed to operating with integrity—resolving concerns fairly, advertising honestly, and upholding a consistent record of excellent service. It shows our clients that we take accountability.
