Accreditation 'stamp of excellence' for teaching hospital

All facets of the 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.

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) reaffirmed the VMC’s accreditation following a full-day site visit on April 8 — a testament to the VMC’s ongoing commitment to providing top-tier veterinary care for animals across Western Canada. The WCVM’s VMC has continuously held AAHA accreditation since 1977.

Veterinary clinics and referral centres 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 AAHA 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.”

AAHA accreditation is just one of several certifications maintained by the VMC. Since September 2024, the college’s veterinary teaching hospital has undergone successful accreditation visits for the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education, Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association (SVMA), and the University of Saskatchewan’s Research Ethics Board.

In March 2025, the AVMA Council on Education granted full accredited status to the WCVM with a minor deficiency in its physical facilities. The AVMA describes a minor deficiency has one that has "minimal or no effect on student learning or safety and is readily corrected by the college within one year."

“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. This accreditation is about maintaining that culture of excellence every single day.”