VCA Regional Institute for Veterinary Emergencies and Referrals

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Cassy Englert. She has been an absolute blessing in Chanel’s rehabilitation journey. From the very beginning, Cassy has gone above and beyond to ensure Chanel receives the best possible care, and it is clear that she genuinely loves what she does. What sets Cassy apart is the compassion, patience, and kindness she shows every single visit. She doesn’t just treat Chanel as a patient—she treats her like family. The love and care she pours into her work are evident in every interaction, and Chanel absolutely adores her. As a pet parent, it means everything to know that someone truly cares about your dog’s well-being. Cassy has been incredibly supportive, attentive, and dedicated, always taking the time to make Chanel comfortable while encouraging her progress. Her expertise is amazing, but her heart is what makes her truly exceptional. We are beyond grateful for everything Cassy has done for Chanel and our family. If you’re looking for someone who is knowledgeable, compassionate, and genuinely invested in your pet’s recovery, I wholeheartedly recommend Cassy. She is simply the best.

I was so blown away by this facility’s customer care, start to finish. Despite it being an emergency clinic, I felt like the staff were very patient and compassionate, especially when it came to providing options for treatment and being transparent about the cost. There were also so many thoughtful details, like activity kits offered in the lobby, coffee and live plants everywhere. They even called to check in after our visit and sent a sympathy card when we ultimately had to put our sweet cat down. Despite a tragic ending, I was amazed by the way this staff helped us during such a hard time.

The vets and staff at VCA River took excellent care of my Golden Retriever, Brinkley, in May 2025 when he had an emergency surgery to remove a GI block and then again in January when things took an unfortunate turn and we lost him. They are very thorough, compassionate, thoughtful and caring. I would recommend taking your pet here in any emergency situation. We live an hour away, but its worth the drive. Thank you to Dr. Smith, Kat, I'm sure I'm missing someone. One last thought, they actually react in an emergency. It was very impressive!

My pup got into something she shouldn’t have. VCA had me call poison control while waiting in the lobby. They induced vomiting while i spoke with poison control. Ultimately, poison control said my pup would be okay without treatment. Despite the fact that they had already administered care, they completely waived any exam/treatment fees, which likely would have been over $500. The staff was caring, kind, compassionate and attentive. We are so grateful for their care and generosity. Hopefully, we don’t have any make ER visits in our future… but we know where we are going if we do!

I brought my baby home from VCA yesterday after a 3-day hospitalization and I cannot recommend them enough! He came in very rough shape and they were quickly able to check him out and tell me exactly what was wrong. All of the staff are friendly and they realistically explain the situation without being insensitive. They saved his life and I'll always be thankful.