A good veterinarian will become your partner in helping your pet enjoy a healthy life, so choosing the right one is an important consideration.

When choosing your family's veterinarian, use the same care and criteria that you would in selecting your own physician or dentist.

Consider your priorities. Think about what is important to you when looking for a veterinarian. Some factors include quality care, location, cleanliness, office hours and cost/payment. What range of medical services do they provide? Do they keep patients overnight? Are they affiliated to emergency services for any off-hour care? Do they offer wellness packages? Do they perform their own surgery?

These are all important considerations in choosing a veterinarian. Your goal is to find the veterinarian who can best meet your pet’s medical needs and with whom you feel comfortable establishing a long-term relationship.

Where to find a veterinarian

--Ask for personal recommendations. Ask friends, family, neighbors, groomers or kennel managers for recommendations based on their personal experiences, as word-of-mouth is often the most reliable way to find a trustworthy veterinarian; you can also check if a practice is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) to ensure high standards of care.

--Breeders and breed clubs. Breeders and area dog breed clubs can be a good source of information. They have often established a strong relationship with a practice that is very familiar with the potential health-related problems for the breed.

--Directories and the internet. Online forums can be sources for contact information on local veterinarians. A word of caution about review sites: Although online review sites can be valuable for picking out a restaurant, we don't recommend you rely on them when choosing your veterinarian because the reviews may not reflect the average client experience. Personal references, such as the others we've listed here, are more reliable sources for finding a veterinarian.

--Contact your state veterinary medical association. Your state or local veterinary medical association can provide a list of licensed veterinarians in your area.

--Your current veterinarian. If you are relocating to another city or state, ask your current veterinarian if he or she can recommend a practice where you will be living. Many times, they have colleagues in other towns whose policies and services are like theirs. Your current veterinarian should also provide copies of your pet's medical records to the new practice to ensure your pet's medical history is available to the new staff.

When to look for a veterinarian

It's a good idea to start thinking about selecting a veterinarian before acquiring a new pet.

A variety of factors have contributed to the increased demand of veterinary services in some locations. Finding a family veterinarian today may be a little more challenging than it had been in the past. Getting into the veterinary practice of your choice as a new client could take weeks.

If you have recently moved to a new area, locate a veterinarian before your pet needs one. Try not to wait until your pet becomes ill or requires emergency care – and remember, though the internet can be a great source of information, it's not a substitute for proper veterinary care. It's best to have secured a doctor's name and number and become acquainted with the practice and staff before you need to find them during an emergency. Consider scheduling an initial visit soon after arriving at your new home. Your new veterinarian can suggest ways to help your pet become accustomed to your new environment and can inform you of any health risks unique to your area.

Initial consultation. On your initial appointment, assess the veterinarian’s communication style, comfort level with your pet, and overall practice atmosphere. Don’t be afraid to ask questions regarding your pet’s diet, vaccinations or dates for potential spay/neutering.

Below are some other questions to ask when meeting with veterinarians:

--Is the practice certified by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)?

--Do they have experience with your pet's breed or specific needs?

--What are their fees for routine services like checkups and vaccinations?

--What are their policies on after-hours care and emergencies?

Remember that veterinarians care as much about you as an owner as they do about your pets. They are there to give you the information and resources you need to take the best possible care of your pets. By taking the time to select the right veterinarian that you feel confident can provide for your needs as an owner and the medical needs of your pet, you will establish a satisfying and rewarding partnership.

For more information on responsible dog ownership, visit the American Kennel Club at www.akc.org.

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