Is Kentlands Veterinary Hospital AAHA-Accredited, and What Does That Mean?

Updated

Yes. Kentlands Veterinary Hospital in Gaithersburg, MD, states that it is an American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accredited facility. According to the hospital, accredited hospitals regularly undergo evaluations to confirm they meet or exceed AAHA's standards of care. Those standards cover nearly every aspect of hospital operations, including surgery, exam facilities, patient care, cleanliness, client service, emergency services, diagnostic imaging, and anesthesiology.

What AAHA Accreditation Means in Practice

AAHA accreditation is a voluntary quality-review process for veterinary practices. The hospital's own description frames it as an ongoing commitment rather than a one-time label: the facility is evaluated on a recurring basis against standards that touch both medical care and the client experience.

For a pet owner, that translates into a few checkable areas:

  • Surgical and anesthesia standards — the hospital says these are within the scope of AAHA review.
  • Facilities and cleanliness — exam rooms and general hospital upkeep are part of the evaluation.
  • Diagnostic imaging — imaging services fall under the same standards.
  • Client service and emergency services — not limited to clinical care alone.

How Selective Is AAHA Accreditation?

The hospital states that only about 15% of animal hospitals in the United States and Canada are accredited by AAHA, which it describes as a recognized benchmark for quality care in veterinary medicine. That figure is the hospital's own characterization; if the accreditation status matters to your decision, you can verify it directly through AAHA's hospital locator rather than relying on any single website.

Why This Might Matter for Your Choice

Accreditation is one input among several when choosing a vet. It speaks to process and facility standards, not to outcomes for a specific condition. Kentlands also notes that it has served the Gaithersburg community since 1997 and offers services spanning routine and preventive care, early detection and treatment of disease, medical and surgical care, plus holistic care, rehabilitation, acupuncture, chiropractic care, herbal therapy, and end-of-life care.

If your priority is a practice that has opted into an external standards review, the AAHA status is a relevant signal. If your priority is a specific service or specialist, confirm that service directly with the hospital before booking.

How to Confirm Before You Book

  1. Check the hospital's accreditation claim against AAHA's official directory.
  2. Ask the hospital which services you need fall under its accredited scope.
  3. Call (301) 519-7944 or use the Book Appointment option on the site to confirm availability.

The hospital lists urgent care among its services, but the site does not specify walk-in policies or after-hours emergency coverage, so call ahead if your pet's situation is time-sensitive.