PetVet365 Becomes the First Group of Veterinary Hospitals in the U.S. to Earn Certified Autism Center™ Designation

Eight PetVet365 locations in Pittsburgh, PA, now hold Certified Autism Center™ designations.

PITTSBURGH, PA, UNITED STATES, August 12, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) proudly awards the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation to eight PetVet365 veterinary hospitals located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, making PetVet365 the first group of veterinary hospitals in the United States to earn this certification. To achieve the designation, at least 80% of client-facing staff across the Cranberry, Fox Chapel, North Fayette, Ross Park, Shadyside, South Hills, Wilkins Township, and Strip District locations completed specialized autism and sensory training to better understand and support autistic and sensory-sensitive pet owners and their families.

In addition to staff training, IBCCES conducted an onsite review at PetVet365 South Hills to create sensory guides and provide additional recommendations to further enhance accessibility.

“At PetVet365, we believe in creating a Fear Free experience for everyone—pets and the people who love them," says Dr. Ashley Smith-Miller, Veterinarian Owner, PetVet365 South Hills. "Our hospitals were intentionally designed to reduce fear, anxiety and stress for pets, so extending that same thoughtfulness to people with sensory sensitivities felt like a natural and important next step. As the parent of neurodivergent children, this work is especially meaningful to me. I am incredibly proud that my fellow veterinarian owners across Pittsburgh embraced this commitment and worked together to make our hospitals more welcoming, understanding and accessible for every family we serve.”

IBCCES autism and accessibility training helps veterinary hospitals create more inclusive experiences for every pet owner. By proactively removing barriers to care, hospitals can strengthen communication between veterinary teams and clients, build lasting trust within the communities they serve, and better meet the needs of autistic individuals, their families, and their pets. These efforts help create smoother visits, increase client confidence, foster long-term relationships, and enhance the overall veterinary care experience.

"PetVet365 has already built its hospitals around reducing fear, anxiety, and stress for pets, and this certification reflects the same thoughtful approach to supporting the people who walk through their doors," says Myron Pincomb, IBCCES CEO and Board Chairman. "By becoming the first group of veterinary hospitals in the U.S. to earn the Certified Autism Center™ designation, PetVet365 is demonstrating that accessibility and compassionate care extend beyond clinical excellence by creating an environment where every pet owner feels understood, supported, and welcomed."

To further support autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors, PetVet365 offers sensory kits to help reduce sensory overload and create a calmer experience during hospital visits. Depending on availability, these kits may include:
● Noise-reducing headphones
● Fidget tools
● Weighted blankets
● Other sensory support items

For 25 years, IBCCES has been a leader in providing autism, sensory, and neurodiversity training and certification for professionals worldwide, including those in healthcare, education, public safety, travel, and corporate sectors. As the only credentialing board offering these programs, IBCCES provides training from subject matter experts and autistic self-advocates, along with long-term support, continuous learning, onsite reviews, and renewal requirements to ensure continued growth and lasting impact.

To further support inclusivity efforts, all PetVet365 locations in Pittsburgh are featured on the IBCCES Accessibility App, which is free to download. This app provides individuals with a variety of disabilities real-time guidance on certified destinations, sensory-friendly spaces, and tailored recommendations. By connecting users to accessible locations worldwide, the app helps ensure seamless, enjoyable experiences for everyone.

IBCCES also provides access to resources such as AccessibilityCertified.com and AutismTravel.com, which are free online tools for families that list certified locations and professionals. Each organization listed on the sites has met IBCCES certification requirements.

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About PetVet365
PetVet365’s Pittsburgh-area hospitals provide a more comfortable, personalized veterinary care experience designed around the needs of pets and the people who love them. Locally led by veterinarian owners, each hospital combines exceptional medicine with a welcoming, Fear Free^® Certified environment featuring no waiting rooms, comfortable exam rooms and a thoughtful approach to reducing stress. Through their designation as Certified Autism Centers™, PetVet365’s Pittsburgh hospitals are furthering their commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive experience for every pet parent and family they serve. Learn more at PetVet365.com.

About IBCCES
Delivering the global standard for training and certification in the fields of autism, neurodiversity, and accessibility – IBCCES provides a series of certification programs that empower professionals to be industry leaders and improve the outcomes for the individuals they serve. For 25 years, IBCCES has been a global leader, setting the industry standard in autism and cognitive differences training. IBCCES works in over 125 countries and provides training in 8 languages, and its programs have been recognized around the world as the leading benchmark in training and certification.

In addition to individual certification programs, IBCCES partners with cities, destinations, and organizations on initiatives like the Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD) and Autism Certified City™ (ACC), ensuring autistic and sensory-sensitive residents and visitors feel welcomed and safe. Destinations that achieve the CAD designation have completed a specialized program that ensures a multitude of recreation, hospitality, and entertainment organizations have completed an autism and sensory-sensitivity training, certification, and IBCCES facilities review process. The ACC designation expands on that program and includes IBCCES training and certification for the public safety, education, healthcare, and workplace sectors.

IBCCES also created the Accessibility App, AutismTravel.com, and AccessibilityCertified.com – free resources for individuals with a variety of neurodiversities and disabilities, listing certified locations and connecting individuals to other resources and each other.

Meredith Tekin
IBCCES
+1 904-508-0135
marketing@ibcces.org
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