AAHA honors the 2025 Accredited Practice of the Year

Harbor Point Animal Hospital in Mooresville, North Carolina, has been named the 2025 Accredited Practice of the Year (APOY) by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). The award recognizes veterinary practice that set the standard for excellence in medicine, leadership, and client care, and was presented to the honoree at AAHA Con ’25 in Chicago, Illinois.¹

AAHA is the only accrediting body for veterinary hospitals, requiring accredited hospitals to meet more than 900 rigorous standards across areas such as anesthesia, pain management, surgery, diagnostics, safety, and client communication. AAHA-accredited hospitals represent about 15% of all veterinary practices, according to a news release.¹

Photo courtesy of Encore Vet Group

Harbor Point was chosen as the APOY from more than 4500 AAHA-accredited hospitals in the US and Canada as this year’s top practice.¹ Other finalists included Stonebrook Family Pet Clinic in Frisco, Texas; North Shore Family Pet Hospital in Northbrook, Illinois; and Blue Springs Animal Hospital & Pet Resort in Missouri.²

“This award affirms the heart and passion behind everything we do,” Diane Vermillion, BS, RVT, VTS (ECC), practice operations coordinator at Harbor Point Animal Hospital, said in the release.¹ “Our mission has always been to change the way pets see the vet—by treating every client and patient like family, holding ourselves to the highest standards, and staying deeply connected to our community.”

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Harbor Point Animal Hospital is part of the Encore Vet Group network.Since opening in 2016, the practice has been recognized for its innovative approach to veterinary care, with a focus on reducing fear, anxiety, and stress in pets while delivering advanced, evidence-based medicine, according to the release. The practice is deeply rooted in the Mooresville community as partners with local rescue groups, supporting other small businesses, and participating in regional events.¹

“We hold ourselves to a high standard because we believe our patients deserve the best medical care, every time. We’re passionate about being different in the best way—reducing fear, anxiety, and stress wherever we can, while holding ourselves accountable to doing things the right way, not just the easy way,” Vermillion said in an interview with AAHA.²

Its recently renovated facility, state-of-the-art equipment, and expanding client base from the thriving Lake Norman region position the practice for continued growth. As part of that growth, Harbor Point is welcoming applications from associate veterinarians, credentialed veterinary technicians, and veterinary assistants eager to join its award-winning team, according to the hospital.¹

References

1. Harbor Point Animal Hospital named AAHA’s Accredited Practice of the Year. News release. September 23, 2025.
2. Dunwoodie C. Meet AAHA’s 2025 Accredited Practice of the Year. American Animal Hospital Association. September 16, 2025. Accessed September 23, 2025. https://www.aaha.org/trends-magazine/publications/meet-aahas-2025-accredited-practice-of-the-year-winner/