(AVMA) added prevention of disease to the veterinary oath. Considering that the pet population is on the rise yet veterinary visits are declining, this change to the oath is very timely. AAHA is committed to ensuring that pets receive the preventive healthcare needed to keep them healthy and happy, and just as committed to providing tools to help veterinary professionals accomplish that. The various Guidelines published by AAHA are a great example of those tools. Four Guidelines specifically focus on being proactive in the prevention of disease, rather than being reactive and treating disease as it occurs: • The AAHA-AVMA Canine and Feline Preventive Healthcare Guidelines address the lack of understanding by the pet-owning public of the important relationship between regular health evaluations and the well-being of their pets. • The AAHA Canine Life Stage Guidelines and AAFP/AAHA Feline Life Stage Guidelines also address the importance of routine preventive care, along with the value of building strong relationships between the pet owner and the veterinarian. These Guidelines help veterinary teams understand unique and specific wellness and preventive healthcare necessary through the various stages of life, leading to the best possible care. • The AAHA Nutritional Assessment Guidelines for Dogs and Cats focus on the importance of nutritional assessments and dietary recommendations for every pet at every visit, including one of the fastest growing health issues facing both pets and humans today: obesity. As a veterinary professional, implementing any of the AAHA Guidelines will be beneficial to both your practice and the animals you serve. The Guidelines above are even more useful and powerful when integrated, with the focus on optimal preventive care. Wouldn't it be great to have more patients coming to you for preventive healthcare exams before problems start? All four of the Guidelines address prevention and have areas that overlap and complement one another. By combining them and implementing an approach to ensure all key topics and recommendations are covered during each visit, your team will be poised to provide optimal preventive care in a more efficient manner, leading to healthier patients and happier clients.

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