American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Aims to Elevate Veterinary Profession Through New Mentoring Guidelines

Lakewood, Co. – June 28, 2023 - The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is proud to announce the release of the 2023 AAHA Mentoring Guidelines, a comprehensive resource that empowers veterinary professionals to cultivate and nurture deeply beneficial professional relationships.

Developed by an expert task force comprised of veterinarians and technicians committed to raising the bar for our industry, these guidelines provide insights and strategies for implementing mentorship programs that address the pressing need to improve recruitment, retention, job satisfaction, and diversity within veterinary practices.

“We are incredibly excited about the work of this A-list task force of dedicated professionals who live and breathe this topic. These guidelines provide a roadmap to creating effective mentoring relationships by encouraging self-reflection, preparation, connection, and open dialogue,” says Jessica Vogelsang, DVM, AAHA Chief Medical Officer. “With the Mentoring Guidelines, veterinary teams can simplify their practice from the ground up by investing time and energy in the hardworking team who makes it all happen.”

Mentoring done right can reduce burnout and improve the well-being of mentors, mentees, and the entire profession. These guidelines offer a unique approach to mentorship by acknowledging that mentorship is not one-size-fits-all. The guidelines help professionals apply expert knowledge and guidance to the particular needs of their team or mentoring relationship.

“Mentorship is vital for every member of the veterinary profession at every stage of their career, particularly in an inherently stressful profession. I am so proud of all the individuals on the task force that put forward so much time and energy to ensure that these guidelines were practical and relevant in a rapidly evolving industry,” says Addie Reinhard, DVM, MS, cochair of the AAHA Mentoring Guidelines Task Force.

The release of the 2023 AAHA Mentoring Guidelines represents AAHA's ongoing commitment to supporting veterinary professionals and addressing critical issues such as mental health challenges, staffing, and underrepresentation. AAHA aims to empower the entire veterinary profession through these guidelines and foster a culture of support, resilience, and inclusion.

The 2023 AAHA Mentoring Guidelines are generously supported by Merck.

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About AAHA

Since 1933, the American Animal Hospital Association has been the only organization to accredit veterinary hospitals throughout the United States and Canada based on standards directly correlated to high-quality medicine and compassionate care. Our purpose is to simplify the journey toward excellence in veterinary practices. Accreditation in veterinary medicine is voluntary. The AAHA-accredited logo is the best way to know if a third party has evaluated a practice. Look for the AAHA logo or visit the accredited hospital locator on aaha.org.

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