(BPT) - Pet owners have many responsibilities, and keeping your pet healthy with veterinary care is a significant one. To help make sure your pet receives high quality medical care, several veterinarians offer advice on how to find the right vet for your pet.

Ask for recommendations
“A good way to begin your search for a high quality veterinary practice is to ask for recommendations from friends and family,” says Dr. Meredith Hope, fulltime Veterinary Technology instructor  at Brown Mackie College - Louisville. “Word of mouth from people with experience as a client can be valuable. You can also read online reviews and look at veterinary websites for information on specific doctors and practices.”

Dr. Barry Kellogg, senior veterinary advisor of the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association,  suggests paring down your list of options by looking for a practice that is certified by American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). This independent organization has developed accreditation standards to measure excellence in veterinary medicine. “AAHA represents the gold standard in quality,” Kellogg says. “Certification is voluntary and shows that a practice goes above and beyond to ensure certain standards are met both for the doctors and the facility.”