Dr. David Luttinen and his wife, Jennifer, bought the Wheaton Way Veterinary Clinic in August 2005.

Four short months later, the Bremerton veterinary clinic achieved something only 15 percent of all small animal veterinary practices do in the United States.

The Wheaton Way Veterinary Clinic is the only Bremerton veterinary practice that is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), according to Luttinen.

“Wheaton Way Veterinary Clinic belongs to a select group of practices that are committed to meeting the highest standards in veterinary medicine,” AAHA President Anna Worth stated in a news release. “By attaining accreditation, Wheaton Way Veterinary Clinic is demonstrating its dedication to offering the best care to its patients and clients.”

The veterinary practice passed this year’s accreditation with a score of 92 percent. Luttinen said it typically takes a full day for AAHA officials to evaluate veterinary practices.

“They come in and check over 900 standards,” Luttinen said. “It’s pretty rigorous.”

AAHA officials look at a variety of things including the hospital’s facility, medical equipment, practice methods and pet health care management.

The Wheaton Way Veterinary Clinic has three veterinarians and several veterinary technicians, including Luttinen’s wife. Various specialists come to the Bremerton veterinary practice throughout the week to perform ultrasounds, dentistry work and other specialized procedures on the dogs, cats and other animals that are treated at the facility.

“We’re trying to be a very progressive hospital with fair prices,” Luttinen said.

He said the Wheaton Way Veterinary Clinic does not receive anything special for being accredited by AAHA. He said he and his wife simply have “high standards” and want their practice to be the best it can be.

“This is basically for our own peace of mind that we’re holding ourselves to a higher standard,” he said.

Luttinen said by becoming and staying accredited through AAHA, he, his wife and the clinic staff show they truly care about the animals they treat on a daily basis.

“It’s something that Brem-erton should be really proud of actually,” Luttinen said.