Veterinary Emergency & Specialty of Tidewater

09/22/2026

Some people find their calling by taking the scenic route, and we’re very glad Dr. Schmidt’s brought her to VEST! 💜🐾

After working in several areas of veterinary medicine, Dr. Schmidt discovered that the ER is where she feels most at home. She especially values the opportunity to guide families through the unexpected and provide compassionate care during some of the most stressful moments of pet ownership.

A Virginia girl at heart, Dr. Schmidt is also happy to be raising her family close to the coast she loves.

We’re so happy Dr. Schmidt has found her way to VEST. Please help us officially welcome her to the crew!

08/14/2026

🎉 Please join us in officially welcoming Dr. Matthew Criscione to VEST! 🎉

Dr. Criscione has spent the past couple of weeks getting settled in, meeting our crew, and jumping into patient care, and we are so excited to have him as part of VEST!

Originally from the Jersey Shore, Dr. Criscione earned his DVM from Louisiana State University, where he pursued an Exotics, Wildlife, and Zoological Medicine clinical track and worked extensively with the Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana, particularly in raptor rehabilitation. He is also a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist and has used acupuncture to treat not only companion animals, but some pretty unique patients including opossums, hawks, and owls!

Following veterinary school, Dr. Criscione completed a small animal rotating internship at Cornell University and a surgical internship at Colorado Animal Specialty & Emergency (CASE), gaining advanced experience in emergency medicine, surgery, critical care, and complex medical and surgical cases.

Dr. Criscione brings an impressive breadth of advanced training, knowledge, and clinical skills to VEST. His diverse experience across emergency medicine, critical care, surgery, and integrative medicine will be an incredible resource for our team and, most importantly, will expand the expertise and options we are able to offer our patients when they need us most.

Outside the hospital, Dr. Criscione enjoys watercolor painting, hiking, rock climbing, exploring the outdoors, and experimenting with new vegetarian recipes.

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Criscione to the VEST family and excited for our clients, patients and referring veterinary community to get to know him. Welcome to VEST, Dr. Criscione! 💜🐾

12/19/2025

To be available when you need us most this holiday season, we’ve expanded our hours. VEST will provide 24-hour emergency care from December 19 through January 7. Our emergency crew will be on-site around the clock to assist with any urgent or emergent needs.

In addition, cardiology appointments are available January 3rd & 4th. ❤️

If your pet needs immediate care:
📞 757-841-VEST (8378)

Wishing you a joyful holiday season. 🐾🎄

12/02/2025

💜 Cardiology appointments available this Sunday! 💜

Dr. Brad Harris, DACVECC, DACVIM (Cardiology) is here to help your pet’s heart stay healthy and strong. We have a few openings available for Sunday only.

📞 Call us to schedule! 757-841-VEST (8378)

11/26/2025

On Thanksgiving, we’re grateful for the pets and people we serve. 🍁
To support our community this holiday week, we’ve expanded our 24-hour coverage to 7 days, with our emergency team available tonight and throughout Thanksgiving day and overnight for emergent cases. Critical care services will also be available during daytime hours through the week.

If your pet needs immediate care:
📞 757-841-VEST (8378)

Stay safe, enjoy your holiday, and know we’re here if you need us. 🐾💜

11/14/2025

At VEST, our mission is to care for pets and their people.

This month, we’re extending that mission beyond our hospital walls through a Canned Food Drive & Fundraiser benefiting our local food bank.

📦 Drop off canned goods in our lobby
💙 Make a monetary contribution if you prefer
🐾 Share and help spread the word

For financial contributions, 👉 https://www.justgiving.com/page/vestvets

Supporting families in need is one more way we can inVEST in our community. Thank you for joining us in giving back.

09/07/2025

🚨 Exciting News at VEST! 🚨

We’re growing to serve you and your pets, even better! 🐾💙
We’re thrilled to announce two brand-new specialty services now available:

❤️ Cardiology – Helping pets with heart conditions live longer, healthier, tail-wagging lives. Dr. Bradley Harris, DACVIM (Cardiology) will be joining us and available for cardiology services starting the end of September.
👁 Ophthalmology – Keeping those puppy-dog eyes (and kitty stares) clear, bright, and comfortable. We're partnering with Animal Vision Center of Virginia to bring these services to VEST. Appointments are available now!

Our board-certified specialists are here to provide advanced diagnostics, treatments, and compassionate care—right here in one convenient location.

📅 Appointments are now open!
📍 6095 Indian River Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23464
📞 Call us at 757-841-8378 to learn more.

🐶🐱 Because your pets deserve the very best—nose to tail, and heart to eyes. 💖👀

08/15/2025

🌟 Meet Dr. Angelique “Dr. A” Agafonovas! 🌟

Originally from Charleston, SC, Dr. A earned her B.S. at Clemson and her veterinary degree at the Royal Veterinary College in London. She has a special interest in small animal emergency medicine and is excited to begin her internship year here at Veterinary Emergency & Specialty of Tidewater.

At VEST, we are proud to serve as a teaching facility, contributing to the development of veterinary professionals. We’re thrilled to support Dr. A as she continues her journey in emergency and specialty care.

Outside the hospital, you can find her hiking, traveling, line dancing, or enjoying the beach with her constant shadow, Enzo the Standard Poodle. 🐾

Help us give Dr. A a warm VEST welcome!💜

02/21/2025

❄️ Snow or shine ☀️, we’re here for you!
🕖 24 hour care from 7AM Friday through 6PM Wednesday
📍6095 Indian River Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23464

Emergency & specialty veterinary care in Virginia Beach, VA.

02/16/2025

Exceptional Care, Specialized Services 🐾

At VEST, our board-certified criticalists, Dr. Jacqueline Nobles, DACVECC, and Dr. Beth Tynan, DACVECC, along with our skilled emergency veterinarians and dedicated staff, work together to provide exceptional care for every patient entrusted to us.

Our criticalists offer specialized services through our ER or by referral, ensuring that your pets receive the highest standard of care in every situation.

These services include:
🔳 Critical Care: Expert care for critically ill patients hospitalized in our ICU.
🔳 Scheduled Outpatient Procedures: Referral-based, non-emergency procedures for stable patients.
🔳 Advanced Diagnostics: State-of-the-art testing and diagnostic services tailored to your pet’s needs.

🕚 Open 24 hours from Friday morning through Wednesday evening.
📍Located at 6095 Indian River Road, Suite 200, Virginia Beach, VA 23464