VCA RIVER - Regional Institute for Veterinary Emergencies and Referrals

Call Directions Website Contact the business

VCA RIVER - Regional Institute for Veterinary Emergencies and Referrals VCA Regional Institute for Veterinary Emergencies and Referrals is a veterinary emergency and special
(389)

Caring for animals requires a special breed of people - those with the knowledge and expertise to heal, plus the compassion to enhance healing and that's exactly what you'll find at the Regional Institute for Veterinary Emergencies and Referrals - RIVER

We're on the leading edge of veterinary specialty and emergency medicine, patient care, and education. Our top-ranked, board-certified veterinarians, skilled technicians and caring staff treat more than 11,000 patients a year. That means more than 200 referring veterinarians can expand the services they offer their clients. With our world-class technologically advanced surgical and diagnostic center, RIVER is a proven leader in providing advanced diagnostics, treatments and cures. We deliver specialty services in ophthalmology, surgery, internal medicine, cardiology, oncology, radiology and neurology along with critical and emergency care. RIVER is truly a unique facility with some of the most advanced veterinary equipment found in the country. This level and sophistication of care, similar to advanced human medical facilities, enables us to provide the highest quality specialty medicine possible. Most importantly, we value the human/animal bond and consider our patients part of the family. RIVER exists as a partner with your veterinarian, to provide the services and compassionate care required to go beyond the ordinary. When your regular veterinarian makes the decision that your animal family member needs the expertise and care of a specialist or has a critical emergency, RIVER is the world-class choice for your animal family member.

🐾❤️ HEROES BEHIND THE SCRUBS ❤️🐾🩺 Meet Max Smith, LVMT!With nearly 20 years in veterinary medicine and almost 4 years as...
10/21/2026

🐾❤️ HEROES BEHIND THE SCRUBS ❤️🐾

🩺 Meet Max Smith, LVMT!

With nearly 20 years in veterinary medicine and almost 4 years as a licensed technician, Max began in shelter medicine before discovering a passion for emergency and critical care! 🚨❤️

Max thrives on the unpredictable nature of emergency medicine, especially those intense, critical cases where quick thinking and teamwork make all the difference. Max's favorite part of RIVER? Simply taking care of the patients! 🐾

❤️ Thank you, Max, for your years of dedication, compassion for your patients, and the humor you bring to the RIVER team!

🐾❤️ HEROES BEHIND THE SCRUBS ❤️🐾🩺 Meet Fae B., LVMT!With 3 years in veterinary medicine and 2 years as a licensed techni...
10/21/2026

🐾❤️ HEROES BEHIND THE SCRUBS ❤️🐾

🩺 Meet Fae B., LVMT!

With 3 years in veterinary medicine and 2 years as a licensed technician, Fae's love for animals started before they could even remember! From watching Animal Planet and playing veterinary video games to practicing medicine on their stuffed animals, Fae was destined for a career caring for animals! 🐶❤️

Their passion lies in emergency and critical care, and their favorite part of RIVER is helping animals alongside people they enjoy working with!

❤️ Thank you, Fae, for your compassion, dedication, and the care you provide to our patients every night!

🐾❤️ HEROES BEHIND THE SCRUBS ❤️🐾🩺 Meet Amberly Long, LVMT!With 12 years in veterinary medicine and 5 years as a licensed...
10/20/2026

🐾❤️ HEROES BEHIND THE SCRUBS ❤️🐾

🩺 Meet Amberly Long, LVMT!

With 12 years in veterinary medicine and 5 years as a licensed technician, Amberly's passion lies in emergency and critical care, patient advocacy, and teaching the next generation of veterinary technicians! ❤️

Amberly originally dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, but discovered her true calling was providing hands-on nursing care, comforting patients, and being their voice when they couldn't speak for themselves.

Her favorite part of RIVER? Simply put, "I love that people care." ❤️

💬 Amberly's advice to future veterinary technicians:

"Remember why you wanted to get into this field in the first place. Hold on to that reason. Never let it go."

❤️ Thank you, Amberly, for your dedication to your patients, your passion for teaching, and the heart you bring to RIVER every day!

🐾❤️ HEROES BEHIND THE SCRUBS ❤️🐾🩺Meet Caitlyn Riley, LVMT!Caitlyn's journey in veterinary medicine began in 2014, workin...
10/20/2026

🐾❤️ HEROES BEHIND THE SCRUBS ❤️🐾

🩺Meet Caitlyn Riley, LVMT!

Caitlyn's journey in veterinary medicine began in 2014, working in a general practice before finding her passion for emergency medicine and surgery! After years of hands-on experience, she graduated from veterinary nursing school in 2025 and officially earned her LVMT license in May 2026! 🎓❤️

Her favorite part of RIVER? The incredible teamwork and shared dedication to caring for patients and supporting their families. With a special passion for surgery, Caitlyn loves being an advocate for patients and helping them through their recovery.

❤️ Thank you, Caitlyn, for your dedication to your patients, your passion for veterinary medicine, and the compassion you bring to RIVER every day!

🩺 Meet Jessica, LVMT (BS)!With nearly 9 years in veterinary medicine as a licensed technician, Jessica's passion for ani...
10/19/2026

🩺 Meet Jessica, LVMT (BS)!

With nearly 9 years in veterinary medicine as a licensed technician, Jessica's passion for animals started at a young age! After shadowing at a veterinary clinic in high school, she knew she'd found her calling. ❤️

One of Jessica's favorite things about RIVER is that no two days are alike! She loves making a difference in the lives of patients and their families while working alongside an incredible team.

❤️ Thank you, Jessica, for your dedication, compassion, and the difference you make for our patients every day!

🐾❤️ HEROES BEHIND THE SCRUBS ❤️🐾🩺 Meet Allie,LVMT!With 8 years in veterinary medicine and 7.5 years as a licensed techni...
10/19/2026

🐾❤️ HEROES BEHIND THE SCRUBS ❤️🐾

🩺 Meet Allie,LVMT!

With 8 years in veterinary medicine and 7.5 years as a licensed technician, Allie has a passion for emergency and critical care, especially caring for our tiniest and oldest patients! ❤️

Allie loves the unpredictability of working at RIVER, where every day brings new patients, challenges, and opportunities to learn. One of her most memorable patients was Darby, a three-legged senior Bichon who was surrendered at 15 years old and became her best friend for four more years! 🐶💕

❤️ Thank you, Allie, for your compassion, versatility, and dedication to giving every patient the love and care they deserve!

🩺 Heroes Behind the Scrubs: Celebrating the Heartbeat of Veterinary Medicine!Did you know becoming a Licensed Veterinary...
10/18/2026

🩺 Heroes Behind the Scrubs: Celebrating the Heartbeat of Veterinary Medicine!

Did you know becoming a Licensed Veterinary Medical Technician (LVMT) requires years of education, hands-on training, and dedication?

🎓 Our LVMTs complete an accredited veterinary technology program, pass the rigorous Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE), and maintain their professional licenses through annual renewals and continuing education.

🚨 From emergency triage and critical patient care to anesthesia monitoring, diagnostics, and patient advocacy, our LVMTs play a vital role in providing lifesaving care around the clock!

❤️ But there's more to these incredible individuals than their scrubs!

Throughout the week, we'll be introducing you to our Heroes Behind the Scrubs, sharing their stories, passions, personalities, and what makes each of them so special!

🐾 To our amazing VCA RIVER LVMTs, THANK YOU! Your knowledge, compassion, and dedication make a difference every single day. We couldn't do it without you! Join us as we celebrate LVMT's this week!

10/16/2026

🎃 Costumes, PSL's and scented candles... oh my! Be on the lookout for these potential pet hazards this fall. 🍂

And if you need support from your veterinary team, we're just a call away! Find your local VCA Animal Hospital at https://vcahospitals.com/find-a-hospital

10/14/2026

Every surgery starts long before the first incision. It starts with a veterinary technician who has spent years mastering their skills, anticipating needs, monitoring vitals, and showing up fully prepared for every patient who comes through the door.

Vet techs are the heart of every OR team, and their skill and dedication make a difference every single day. At some VCA specialty hospitals, we take surgical collaboration even further. Some of our teams include Certified Surgical Technologists (CSTs) — professionals who earned specialized degrees specifically to support surgeons in the OR.

The result? Less time under anesthesia. Better outcomes. And a team that truly works as one. 💙

Because every patient is somebody's pet — and they deserve nothing less than the best.

10/13/2026

Think you know your veterinary history? Let’s put it to the test. 🩺

As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we’re looking back at the breakthroughs that have helped shape veterinary care over the past four decades.

Take the 40 Years of Breakthroughs in Veterinary Medicine quiz from Clinician's Brief and see how you score!

👉 Take the quiz - https://www.cliniciansbrief.com/article/quiz-40-years-breakthroughs-vet-med

10/13/2026

What trick do you want to teach your senior dog?! Remember to have their favorite treat on hand 🍬

Curious about more ways to care for your senior pet? Find your local VCA Animal Hospital at https://vcahospitals.com/find-a-hospital

October is Pet Obesity Awareness Month. It’s easy to overlook a stray extra pound or two, but for our cats and small dog...
10/12/2026

October is Pet Obesity Awareness Month. It’s easy to overlook a stray extra pound or two, but for our cats and small dogs, that extra weight creates a real domino effect on their mobility and joint health! 📉🐾

Weight management isn't just about cutting kibble. Our physical rehabilitation programs use fun, low-impact exercises to help pets build strength and shed pounds safely.

Ready to get your furry friend moving comfortably again? Click the link below to learn more about our Physical Therapy team and drop by or ask an associate about a custom weight-loss and rehab plan today! ✨

https://vcahospitals.com/regional-institute/departments/rehabilitation

10/12/2026
10/10/2026

We take care of our patients.
We take care of each other, too.

Behind every stethoscope, every late-night surgery, and every comforting cuddle with your pet is a human being. Veterinary medicine is a career fueled by deep empathy, which also makes our teams vulnerable to compassion fatigue and burnout. This World Mental Health Day, we want to remind our community (and ourselves) that it’s okay not to be okay. Thank you for your patience, kindness, and support as we care for your beloved animals.

Show our team some love in the comments—your kind words mean the world to us. ❤️

PSA: Emotional support toys are welcome here too! Veterinary visits can be nerve-racking, so we love seeing the bravery ...
10/09/2026

PSA: Emotional support toys are welcome here too! Veterinary visits can be nerve-racking, so we love seeing the bravery that our patients exude 🤗

Find your local VCA Animal Hospital at https://vcahospitals.com/find-a-hospital

How are you and your four-legged MVP spending Saturday? Whether it’s high-stakes couch quarterbacking or stealing your s...
10/09/2026

How are you and your four-legged MVP spending Saturday? Whether it’s high-stakes couch quarterbacking or stealing your spot on the pillows the second you get up, we know who the real star of the watch party is. Drop a photo of your game day buddy below! 🏈🐾

10/08/2026

In honor of VCA's 40th anniversary, VCA Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Julia Georgesen, sat down with Dr. Beth Mollison on the Clinicians Brief Partner Podcast to reflect on the profession's most transformative shifts — and what's coming next.

From hand-developing X-rays to anesthesia simulation software, this conversation covers it all:
🐾 The evolution of pain management as a clinical outcome
📊 Preventative care shifting toward predictive medicine
🤝 Team-based care and empowering credentialed technicians
🧠 Why the future belongs to those with not just IQ and EQ — but AQ: adaptability quotient
💬 Heart-centered communication and what clients really remember

Listen now: https://www.cliniciansbrief.com/article/podcast-then-now-next-40-years-veterinary-medicine-dr-georgesen

Today is  ! When was the last time your pet had an eye screening exam? Annual eye screening exams allow for early diseas...
10/08/2026

Today is ! When was the last time your pet had an eye screening exam? Annual eye screening exams allow for early disease detection to keep their vision healthy 👀

Book your pet's nose-to-tail wellness exam at your local VCA Animal Hospital via https://vcahospitals.com/find-a-hospital

Address

2132 Amnicola Highway
Chattanooga, TN
37406

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when VCA RIVER - Regional Institute for Veterinary Emergencies and Referrals posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to VCA RIVER - Regional Institute for Veterinary Emergencies and Referrals:

Shortcuts

Share

Category