Denver Animal Protection Named One Of Top Vet Clinics In U.S.

DENVER, CO — Many animals in Colorado owe their lives to Denver Animal Protection and its highly-skilled veterinary team, which is now one of just three municipal shelter clinics in the nation to earn the highest level of veterinary excellence.

The shelter has achieved accreditation with the American Animal Hospital Association after an extensive evaluation process, which included standards such as patient care, pain management, staff training and advanced medical diagnosis. The clinic underwent testing of around 900 quality standards that "go above and beyond basic state regulations," Denver health officials said.

“AAHA-accredited hospitals and clinics are recognized among the finest in the industry, and they must meet stringent quality standards to become accredited,” Louisa Poon, a veterinarian with Denver Animal Protection, said in a statement. “Animal welfare is our passion and keeping the animals at DAP healthy is our highest priority.”

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Unlike human hospitals, not all animal hospitals and shelters are required to be accredited. The American Animal Hospital Association is the only organization that accredits veterinary practices in the U.S. and Canada, and only 12 to 15 percent of practices are accredited, health officials said. The association said it continuously updates its strict quality standards to "keep accredited practice teams at the forefront of the profession."

A 5-year-old boxer mix named Nala owes her life to Denver Animal Protection. She came into Denver Animal Shelter seriously injured from a dog fight, with significant bite wounds on her neck and chest that became severely infected, Denver health officials said. She also had severe digestive problems and broken and infected teeth. Her condition was so critical, veterinary staff had to sedate her to treat her extensive injuries.

Because of expanded resources, the veterinary team at went to work to offer Nala the "very best care possible," officials said.

"Nala is healthy today. But her journey wasn’t easy. It took a month of expert medical treatments, including surgeries to her chest and mouth, along with significant recovery. She is one of hundreds of animals treated each year at DAP that are fully healed and ready for new homes of their own."

"Thanks to the dedicated team at DAP, she gets a second change at a good life with owners that love her like family."

More information about the shelter clinic and its adoptable pets can be found here.