Texas A&M’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital Celebrates Level 1 Emergency, Critical Care Society Accreditation
Dr. Christine Rutter and Michaela Stavropoulos work with a clinical team to monitor a dog during a diagnostic procedure at the Texas A&M Small Animal Teaching Hospital.
The Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences’ (VMBS) Small Animal Teaching Hospital (SATH) recently received accreditation as a Level I Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS) Certified Facility.
This certification — the highest level of qualification — marks a significant milestone for the SATH in advancing patient care standards. Since 2018, the hospital had been certified as a Level II facility, which recognized the VMTH as one of the most advanced emergency and critical care facilities in the country.
“Achieving VECCS Level I Accreditation is meaningful for pet owners. It reflects a commitment to the highest standards in veterinary emergency and critical care, along with ongoing efforts to grow and improve,” said Dr. Stacy Eckman, the associate dean for hospital operations and chief executive officer for the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH), which comprises both Small and Large Animal Teaching Hospitals.
“The Emergency and Critical Care services, along with our Intensive Care Unit at the Small Animal Teaching Hospital, have done an outstanding job going above and beyond for our patients,” Eckman said. “If your pet ever needs urgent or intensive care, you can feel confident they are being treated in a facility that meets the most rigorous expectations. Because this accreditation is voluntary, it also speaks to a genuine dedication to patient care.”
VECCS offers a facility certification program to encourage facilities to provide exceptional emergency and critical patient care, with three certification levels based on operating hours, equipment, and personnel. VECCS also outlines standards for building infrastructure, staffing, equipment, supplies, medical records, and other resources required for certification.
As the only veterinary teaching hospital in Texas, the SATH manages more than 22,000 cases each year, supported by more than 60 veterinarians and more than 200 staff members who provide primary, emergency, and specialized care. The hospital works closely with referring veterinarians to offer advanced treatment options.
The VECCS accreditation reflects a sustained commitment to high standards of care, rooted in current practices and advanced clinical capabilities.
As a VECCS Level 1 facility, the VMTH is open 24 hours a day for emergency and critical patient care.
Level I facilities also are required to have:
- Backup power supply
- Invasive blood pressure monitoring equipment
- Bronchoscopy equipment
- CT scanner
- Echocardiography equipment
- ICU ventilator
- Capability to provide total parenteral nutrition
- At least one board-certified emergency and critical care veterinarian specialist
- At least two emergency and critical care veterinary technician specialists
“Earning Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society Level I certification is a direct reflection of our team’s dedication, training, and accountability,” said Jake Heidman, VMTH assistant hospital administrator. “It represents the work that happens behind the scenes every shift to ensure our patients receive the highest level of monitoring, treatment, and support.”
According to Jennifer Sheldon, emergency room veterinary technician supervisor, the team is very proud to be among the hospitals recognized at this level.
“Our Emergency Room and Critical Care teams provide around-the-clock, advanced care for the most serious and complex cases, and this distinction reflects the strength of that work. When deciding where to seek emergency care, this designation is an important factor to consider, and we are honored to hold a VECCS Level I designation,” Sheldon said.
VMTH clinicians, staff, and veterinary students are dedicated to improving lives through exceptional veterinary education, patient care, service, and discovery.
“This dedication drives the level of care our patients receive every day. Achieving distinctions like this reflects both the quality of medicine practiced within the VMTH and the commitment required to uphold those standards,” Eckman said. “As a teaching hospital, the VMTH continues to shape the next generation of veterinarians while delivering an exceptional experience for both patients and their owners across Texas and beyond.”
