Compassion-Satisfaction Accredited Workplace Program.
The accreditation focused on your team’s happiness
You can sit with us! Independent and group-owned practices can get accredited!
Unlike traditional industry accreditations that focus on patient care, clinical standards, or customer service, our Compassion-Satisfaction Accredited Workplace (CSAW) Program is the first and only veterinary accreditation centered on what truly makes a practice thrive—its people. We recognize that while high-quality medicine is essential, a fulfilled and supported team is the foundation of long-term success.
Our Compassion-Satisfaction Accredited Workplace (CSAW) Program is designed to enhance workplace well-being, prioritizing the mental and emotional health of veterinary professionals. Regardless of ownership (private or group-owned), any practice can participate. Join us to shape the future, together!
CSAW: An Accreditation Focused on Veterinary Teams
The CSAW Program was established in 2018 by VetSupport, a team with nearly 100 years of combined experience in veterinary medicine. Recognizing a gap in industry support for employee wellness, they created the CSAW program. In 2021, Encore Vet Group acquired VetSupport and took CSAW to the next level, ensuring that veterinary professionals everywhere can benefit from a program that puts their well-being first.
While other industry accreditations focus on standards of care, patient outcomes, and even client experience, CSAW stands apart by prioritizing workplace culture, leadership, and team fulfillment. We believe that when veterinary professionals are supported, their ability to provide excellent patient care naturally follows. In light of concerns within the veterinary profession, such as veterinary suicide statistics, we believe it’s more important than ever to promote veterinary suicide prevention through a culture of support and wellness.
Benefits of a Compassion-Satisfaction Accredited Workplace
By becoming a Compassion-Satisfaction Accredited Workplace, you demonstrate a commitment to your team’s mental health and happiness. Here are just some of the benefits:
Establish your practice as a leader in workplace well-being
3 live webinars for practice leadership, teaching the pillars for compassion satisfaction
Work with a CCFP to learn and grow within the pillars of compassion satisfaction.
Improve team morale, retention, and overall job satisfaction, through resources and an Employee Workplace Satisfaction Survey.
Bi-monthly wellness webinars and resources for the entire team
Access to a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional for guidance in challenging situations
as needed
How accreditation supports a positive veterinary environment
Encore Vet Group is proud to be the only organization offering this accreditation to veterinary practices. We believe that creating the best vet workplace means fostering a culture that promotes work-life balance, mental health support, and continuous professional development.
It’s okay to brag!
When you achieve Accreditation or Provisional Status, you’ll be able to publish one of these badges on your website and careers page!
How does the program work?
Step 1
Sign Up & Self-Evaluate – Practices begin by completing a self-evaluation to assess their current workplace environment.
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Step 2
Connect with Our Team – We’ll set up a consultation to review your evaluation, introduce our Employee Workplace Satisfaction (EWS) Survey, and determine readiness for the program.
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Step 3
Receive Your Accreditation Status – Based on your evaluation, EWS results and initial consultation, your practice will receive an accreditation status (either Accredited or Provisional), along with personalized feedback and goal-setting guidance.
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Step 4
Join the Program & Learn – Accredited and provisionary practices participate in a series of 3 live webinars for practice leadership, teaching the pillars for compassion satisfaction
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Step 5
Ongoing Support & Growth – We provide continuous support, including a six-month check-in with a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional to help maintain progress as well as bi-monthly on-demand webinars for your team.
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Step 6
Annual Reaccreditation – Each year, practices can renew their accreditation or transition from provisional to full accreditation, reinforcing their commitment to a thriving work culture. The reaccreditation process mirrors the initial accreditation process, ensuring that standards are consistently upheld over time.
CSAW Accreditation Criteria
Each practice is evaluated across six key pillars that define a thriving veterinary workplace:
Why choose Encore?
At Encore, we prioritize the happiness and wellness of our teams. By fostering a healthy veterinarian work environment and taking proactive steps like offering wellness programs, mentorship, and addressing concerns like veterinary suicide prevention, we are dedicated to making veterinary practices better places to work.