Now offering appointments as early as 8 AM, Monday through Friday!
Recognized Standards of Veterinary Excellence
TotalBond Veterinary Hospital at Forestbrook is proud to be an AAHA Accredited Hospital. Additionally, our team members are Fear-Free Certified, Low-Stress Handling Certified, and Dr. Epstein is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Canine & Feline Practice, as well as an IVAPM Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner. If you want to understand more about how these accreditations affect your pet’s care, reach out to us!
AAHA Accreditation
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is the only organization that accredits veterinary practices in the United States. AAHA accreditation requires passing rigorous evaluations in areas such as patient care, pain management, communication, and organizational quality. Only about 15 % of North American small animal practices are AAHA-accredited, and Forestbrook proudly holds this distinction — a symbol of advanced standards in veterinary medicine.
American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) Diplomates
The ABVP certifies veterinarians who have demonstrated advanced expertise in specific areas of veterinary medicine. To achieve Diplomate status, veterinarians must complete a demanding process of education, continuing studies, testing, and recertification. At Forestbrook, Dr. Mark Epstein completed his ABVP Board-Certification in Canine & Feline Practice in 1993, and continues to regularly re-certify. These certifications highlight deep clinical proficiency and commitment to ongoing excellence, with only 470 Canine-Feline Practice Diplomates in the U.S. and Dr. Epstein one of only 8 in the Charlotte, NC region. Dr. Epstein is also a Founding Fellow of ABVP Companion Animal Pain Management.
Fear Free Certification
Fear Free certification is awarded to team members who have completed extensive training in reducing fear, anxiety, and stress in pets during veterinary visits. This certification emphasizes pet comfort, improving the emotional experience of care and helping ensure calmer, safer visits for animals.
Low Stress Handling Certification
This certification reflects training in techniques that help minimize stress responses in pets during handling and procedures. Staff certified in Low Stress Handling are skilled at recognizing subtle signs of fear and adjusting their approach to improve comfort and cooperation for pets of all temperaments.
International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) & Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner
Forestbrook’s team includes clinicians with credentials from the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management. For example, Dr. Epstein has achieved Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP) status through IVAPM and has served in a leadership role within the organization, underscoring the hospital’s commitment to sophisticated pain management strategies.
