Preparation for the evaluation covered all aspects of the hospital and required many months of  team work to complete all the tasks.   A full day inspection proved that the Ashland Animal Hospital passed all 900 standards.  

A special Thank You to our wonderful staff who perform their jobs with expertise, and go the extra mile to make Ashland Animal Hospital one of the highest quality animal hospitals in the country. 

You can feel confident that we are providing the highest quality and most up-to-date care for your pets by coming to the nationally accredited Ashland Animal Hospital.

Please click here to read more about:                        professional standards for AAHA accredidation.

The canine influenza virus, H3N8, is highly contagious and spreads especially rapidly among dogs living in a confined space, such as a shelter or kennel. The virus was first identified in 2004 and is suspected to have originated as an equine virus.

It's important to know that it's not the same as bird or swine flu and it's not transmissible to people, but people can carry it on their clothes or hands and infect other dogs.

Similar to other influenza viruses, H3N8 causes severe respiratory infection and cough.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), almost every dog that is exposed to the virus becomes infected, but only 80 percent develop clinical signs. The signs are similar to kennel cough, and canine flu is frequently misdiagnosed as such.

The first vaccine for H3N8 canine influenza virus (CIV) was granted a conditional license by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on May 27, 2009, for use by veterinarians in the United States.

Ashland Animal Hospital is currently accessing the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.  If it is determined that the vaccine is safe and in the best interests of our patients, we will notify you by email. 

To read more about canine influenza:

Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
Executive Office of Public Safety and Security
August 10, 2009

Taking your pets along is the most important thing individuals or families can do for their animals during a disaster evacuation.   Pets left behind can be injured, lost or killed during a storm, or in its aftermath.   Pet owners should include their animals in their Family Disaster Planning, before a storm or other disaster threatens.

 "Sometimes the family pet can be overlooked until the final moments before you and your family are about to evacuate," states Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Director Don Boyce. "Take the time now to develop a plan and assemble your pet's Disaster Kit to ensure your animal's safety and care if you are asked to evacuate."

 When you go, they go!

MEMA Pet Emergency Preparedness Plan

An excellent way to safeguard your pet is to microchip them.  The American Animal Hospital Association has created an Internet-based look up tool that assists with microchip identifica- tion by accessing participating pet recovery service registries.

This groundbreaking microchip look up tool is a free service and is endorsed by members of the Microchip Coalition.

 Learn more about our Microchipping services
at Ashland Animal Hospital.

On a sad day in August, calls were made and off duty staff came in to say their last farewells to Money, our hospital cat for the last 10 years.  She was well loved and especially enjoyed Fridays when she'd interrupt her sun bath for some cream cheese on bagel morning.