Written by Diane Vermillion, Practice Manager at Harbor Point Animal Hospital
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time when we pause to reflect on how we care for ourselves and each other…not just as individuals, but as a team and a profession. At Harbor Point Animal Hospital, that reflection has led us on a journey of growth, intention, and compassion. We are incredibly proud to share that we have achieved Gold-Level Compassion Satisfaction Accreditation under the newly enhanced CSAW standards.
Maintaining this accreditation wasn’t just a checkbox for us. It was a commitment and a promise to our staff who are the foundation of our purpose.
What inspired us to pursue renewing CSAW Accreditation?
Veterinary medicine is demanding. We all know the highs and lows and the emotional weight that sometimes follows us home. The decision to pursue the newly revised CSAW accreditation came from our leadership that doesn’t want to see the team just survive veterinary medicine. We want them to thrive in it! This gives us a framework of accountability to ensure that we provide ongoing support to our team who work so hard every single day.
As a practice manager, what does this mean to me personally?
This accreditation means everything. It falls in line with our AAHA accreditation status, Fear Free principles and company’s values: Client Comfort, Patient Comfort and Staff Comfort. It also means that the work we’ve done—the difficult changes, the honest conversations, and the focus on individual wellness—has had a real impact. It reminds me that my leadership isn’t just about schedules and metrics; it’s also about people that perform the work daily to maintain a culture where our team feels seen, heard, and supported.
What did we think of the enhanced evaluation process?
The new evaluation process was rigorous, intentional, and aligned with the realities of modern veterinary practice. The criteria pushed us to look at policies and wellness perks and the culture they foster.
Advice for other practices considering CSAW Accreditation?
Do it. The people are your framework and when you have a happy and engaged staff, veterinary medicine will thrive.
CSAW is a mindset so start by listening to your team, create a space for honest feedback and be ready to change. Lean into discomfort. There might be things you uncover that are hard to hear, but that’s where the growth happens. Celebrate your wins and acknowledge where you need support. Your team will feel the difference.
Why does mental wellness matter so much in veterinary medicine?
We know this field is associated with a higher risk of mental health issues, including burnout, depression, and even suicide, compared to other professions and the general population. Mental health awareness isn’t something to add when things are calm. When we prioritize mental wellness, we preserve the quality of care our patients and clients receive. Their wellbeing is not a luxury. It’s essential and worth protecting.
What are we excited about this year?
At Harbor Point, we’re excited to celebrate the small wins. We look forward to exploring new local wellness partnerships to hold true to our ‘Staff Comfort’ value. We are committed to hosting monthly staff events like lunch ‘n learns and team outings and engage in community-building events.
Above all, we’re excited to keep showing up for each other. With 99% of our team members affirming that leadership and coworkers care about them, our culture is rooted in trust, rich communication, and support.
From our Harbor Point family to yours: Happy Mental Health Awareness Month. We’re all in this together.
