The University of Florida Pet Emergency Treatment Services (UF PETS) of Ocala, Fla., recently gained accreditation from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). The designation recognizes the highest level of excellence, according to AAHA, and follows a rigorous review of the practice’s protocols, medical equipment, facility and client service. The main University of Florida Small Animal Hospital in Gainesville, Fla., received AAHA accreditation in both traditional and specialty veterinary medical care areas in 2015. “We are so pleased to have reached this important milestone, which reflects the high level of veterinary emergency and critical care expertise we offer to pet owners and to the referring veterinary community in Ocala and Marion County,” said Dana Zimmel, DVM, associate dean for clinical services and chief medical officer at the UF College of Veterinary Medicine. The UF PETS facility opened in 2012 as a collaborative effort between the university and Marion County-area veterinarians who recognized that the lack of after-hours emergency veterinary care was a critical issue in the community. The clinic is staffed by small-animal emergency and critical care clinicians with additional support personnel. UF PETS provides basic to advanced emergency care between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. during the week and around the clock on weekends and holidays, bridging the gap when veterinarians’ offices are typically closed, according to the university.
