Veterinary Surgical Specialists Named to Newsweek’s America’s Best Animal Hospitals 2026
TUSTIN, Calif. – Sept. 28, 2026 – Veterinary Surgical Specialists (VSS), Southern California’s most experienced and largest team of board-certified veterinary surgeons, has been named one of America’s Best Animal Hospitals 2026 by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group.
The recognition highlights animal hospitals across the country that were recommended by pet owners and evaluated based on quality of care, customer service, pricing and affordability. Hospitals accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) received additional consideration as part of the evaluation.
“Being named one of America's Best Animal Hospitals is a meaningful honor, and it belongs to every member of our surgical and support teams,” said VSS Hospital Director Sean Gastelum. “We’ve built this practice around a simple standard: extraordinary surgical care, delivered with the same compassion we’d want for our own pets. This recognition tells us that standard is being felt by the people who matter most: our patients, their owners and the veterinarians who trust us with their most complex cases.”
Since 1990, VSS has treated thousands of pets as a surgical partner to primary care veterinarians across Southern California. The practice’s board-certified surgeons, with more than 100 years of combined experience, use state-of-the-art equipment and minimally invasive techniques to perform some of the field's most sophisticated procedures.
VSS was also among the first specialty practices to earn AAHA's Accredited Referral Practice designation, meeting rigorous standards across more than 900 aspects of practice and patient care. Today, VSS is part of Veritas Veterinary Partners, a nationwide network of premier specialty and emergency veterinary hospitals.
“Newsweek is proud to partner with Plant-A Insights Groups for the second time to present America’s Best Animal Hospitals 2026, highlighting the 1,262 best hospitals offering the best care to beloved pets,” said Newsweek Editor-in-Chief Jennifer H. Cunningham. “We hope that this ranking will help you find the best place to take care of your beloved pets, whether they are furry, scaly or feathered.”
About Veterinary Surgical Specialists
Veterinary Surgical Specialists (VSS) is one of Southern California's leading veterinary surgery practices, bringing together board-certified surgeons and highly skilled support professionals. Founded in 1990 and based in Tustin, Calif., VSS has more than 100 years of combined surgeon experience and a state-of-the-art facility equipped with advanced diagnostic imaging and specialized surgical suites. VSS is among the first specialty practices to earn the American Animal Hospital Association’s (AAHA) Accredited Referral Practice designation. Learn more at vssoc-avsg.com/tustin-ca/surgery-center.
About Veritas Veterinary Partners
Veritas Veterinary Partners is a nationwide network of premier specialty and emergency veterinary hospitals committed to advancing veterinary medicine. Built around the principles of truth and trust, Veritas supports its hospital partners with recruitment, professional development and investments in advanced technology and state-of-the-art facilities. Veritas hospitals preserve their local identity and clinical autonomy while benefiting from the collaboration, expertise and resources of a national network. For more information on partnership and career opportunities, please visit veritasvetpartners.com.
Media Contact
Lauren Mueller
Veritas Veterinary Partners Director of Communications
Lauren.Mueller@veritasvetpartners.com
262-352-4656
