2024 AAHA Community Care Guidelines for Small Animal Practice

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Community Health
• Animal Welfare

Background:

• Access to veterinary care is a significant challenge for many pet owners.
• Existing healthcare models may not adequately address community-specific needs.
• The veterinary profession faces increasing demands for accessible and affordable care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the concept of community care in veterinary medicine.
• To present the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Community Care Guidelines.
• To provide strategies for improving access to veterinary care through community collaboration.

Main Methods:

• Mobilizing community resources to support veterinary services.
• Implementing four core principles: urgent access, network collaboration, family-centered care, and redefined standards.
• Optimizing collaborative networks between private and nonprofit veterinary practices.

Main Results:

• The AAHA guidelines offer practical strategies for veterinary practices.
• Community care models can enhance the reach of veterinary services.
• Collaboration is key to addressing access-to-care issues.

Conclusions:

• Community care is a vital approach to expanding veterinary healthcare access.
• Collaboration between veterinary practices and community organizations is essential.
• These guidelines serve as a starting point for innovative solutions to keep pets with their families.