For the Love of Pets

VEG shifts the standard of emergency veterinary care

By Chloe-Anne Swink  »  Photos by Bryan Goldberg

The typical emergency care model available to pet parents and their furry children often leaves much to be desired. As someone who’s been there, I can speak to the pain of leaving my beloved Siamese cat at the animal hospital for overnight emergency surgery. 

Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) has set a new industry standard. Founded by Dr. David Bessler and David Glattstein in 2014, VEG got its start in Whiteplaines, NY. As a career emergency veterinarian and a father, Dr. Bessler took inspiration from the pediatric care model. 

“The idea was, the biggest part was, to not separate people from their pets.” says Dr. Lindsey Geiger, Medical Director at VEG’s Boulder location. “If you took your kid into a human emergency room, they wouldn’t take them away from you and take them off to a different part of the hospital.”

VEG is open 24/7. Pet parents have the option to remain alongside their pet throughout the entire experience—including spending the night with them in care rooms fitted with Murphy beds. VEG also offers a free 24/7 phone triage service. Families can call their nearest location and consult with a veterinarian immediately to help navigate emergency concerns. 

Their genuine emphasis on putting pets and families at ease throughout a highly stressful time is reflected in every step, from administering care on the ground or in the owner’s lap to making an effort to alleviate some of the financial burden of emergency veterinary care. VEG Cares is a fund raised by the company to help subsidize emergency treatment for families who can’t afford it. 

With occurrences like rattlesnake bites and dogs swallowing foreign objects escalating during summer months, VEG offers welcomed reassurance for local pet parents. To learn more, visit veterinaryemergencygroup.com.