Konkuk Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital becomes the first non-US university to receive Level 2 certification by the Veterinary Emergency Critical Care Society (VECCS)

On October 1, Konkuk University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (Dr. Heon-Young Yoon) became the first non-US university to receive Level 2 certification as a veterinary emergency facility from the Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society (VECCS).

The international Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society (VECCS) conducts an evaluation and certification program to improve the standards of emergency and critical care in veterinary hospitals. The evaluation is based on hours of operation, equipment, staffing, building standards, infrastructure, supplies, medical records and resources, and awards three levels of certification to organizations that meet VECCS criteria.

Konkuk Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital is the first non-US university-affiliated vet hospital to achieve Level 2 certification from the American Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Association.  Since Level 1 certification by the American Veterinary Emergency Critical Care Association is only practical within the United States, Level 2 certification is the highest level of recognition available to veterinary hospitals outside the United States.

The Department of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care at Konkuk Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital is able to stabilize and assess pets during emergency visits, provide specialized care including blood transfusions and surgery, and operate an animal ambulance in conjunction with local hospitals through referral services.

Professor Han Hyun-jung of Konkuk University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, who led the implementation of the VECCS certification, said: "After opening the first animal blood donation center in Asia in 2022, we are the first non-US university to achieve VECCS certification. Significantly, the emergency medical center facility for veterinary care and the capabilities of Konkuk's veterinary hospital are recognized worldwide."