The Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS) has awarded its highest certification to Charleston Veterinary Referral Center, making it one of a select few Level I Certified veterinary hospitals in America and the only one in South Carolina to attain this designation.

David B. Sachs, DVM and Medical Director of CVRC during the certification process, said its purpose is “to recognize those hospitals that meet the extremely high standards and guidelines published by VECCS, whose goals are raising the standard of veterinary care while also increasing public and professional awareness of emergency and critical care providers.”

Chief of Critical Care, Kristin Welch, DVM, DACVECC, explained that the certification program designates three levels (I through III) based on operating hours, equipment and personnel. “A Level I emergency and critical care facility must have the resources and specialty training necessary to provide sophisticated emergent and critical care, using the requisite technologies. Second, it must be open to receive small animal emergency patients 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Finally, a Level I facility must have a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care on staff full-time and available for consultation 24/7.” 

Dr. Sachs concluded that “Being a VECCS Level I facility affirms that this respected society recognizes us among 'the best of the best.' It enables us to offer a level of care and service unparalleled in the Southeast and virtually the same as human trauma care facilities. We are able to treat the most critical patients and give comfort and confidence to their owners.”