Written by Addison Middleton

As a worried owner walks through the doors holding her trembling and sick dog, the receptionist is already calling the emergency team. ICU veterinarians begin their specialized care, blood work is rushed to the lab, and a surgeon is looking at scans planning the next steps for the pet; all services being done under the same roof in seamless coordination. 

This process is something very familiar to the Veterinary Care and Specialty Group (VCSG) in Chattanooga. With services such as emergency care, internal medicine, radiation oncology, surgery, rehabilitation and more, the mission of VCSG is to be a one stop shop for all pet needs no matter the time or lengths required. The treatments and equipment VCSG offer have allowed it to become one of the most advanced offices in America and a leading hub in the South Eastern area seeing around 10,000 – 12,000 pets every year, almost double compared to other vet offices. 

“What we’ve always tried to do with VCSG is give the convenience to owners so that people don’t have to take all that time off of work or so owners aren’t making thousands of appointments at 10 different hospitals trying to get the best care for their patient,” Liz Olley says. 

Olley stands in partnership at the forefront of VCSG as one of the hospital managers and founding members. Starting her career 18 years ago, Olley knew that she could be doing more. It was soon realized that Olley wasn’t the only one with the idea to expand. After building an idea and a team from the ground up, the Veterinary Care and Specialty group proudly opened almost nine years ago in 2016. 

“We saw the need for something bigger and something better”, Olley says. VCSG shines not only in their services, but also in their accessibility to owners. “Since opening our main ER building the doors haven’t shut in almost five years. We are open 365 days a year, 24 hours, on every holiday. We are always here.” 

The clinic is home to some of the most advanced services in the country and is able to treat animals from start to finish. From X-rays to surgery to rehabilitation, VCSG and their 28,000 square foot building offers it all. World renowned vets are pulled in to support the VCSG dream and continues to grow with the years. 

The rehabilitation center is only one of the shining examples of how VCSG stands to compare with others. Housing the largest animal rehab center in Chattanooga, services such as an underwater treadmill and swimming pool in their “wet room” and mobility equipment, shock wave therapy treatments and obstacle course equipment are just some of the services provided in the “dry room”. The head of the program holds a doctorate in human physical therapy and takes his findings and treatments over to the fluffy side to compare treatments and results between animal and human recovery. 

“Our specialists work with each other and intertwine so that a surgeon can consult with an internist, the internist can consult with a neurologist, and it all happens within the same visit,” Olley explains. 

The office’s new animal cancer center is just one example of the advancements that puts VCSG on the map for pet owners. They’re the only group in Tennessee with an operable machine called a Linear Accelerator which is used to shoot radiation into spots on an animal with inoperable tumors. Housing these treatments comes with a flood of loving owners wanting the best care for their furry friends who will stop at no lengths, or distances, for their pets. 

“Out of all of our patients about 20% come from the Chattanooga area and everyone else is in the tri-state area and then some,” Olley says. “They want to come here because it is a one stop shop.”

The heart of VCSG lies in the company’s love for animals. The idea for a congruent office with the maximum amount of treatments came from the idea to maximize an animal’s chances in life without extensive back-and-forth travelling and multiple visits to different offices. VCSG continues to work with owners to help them with any needs and give them a place where saving their animals doesn’t seem like an extensive hassle. 

“We got sick of having to euthanize animals because owners couldn’t afford to bring their animals in or to take time off of work,” Olley says. 

The ability to treat even the hardest cases is what keeps VCSG growing. Accessible pet care stands as a core value in the office and their staff. Veterinarians continue to give the highest level of care for every pet brought through the doors and the advanced assessments, treatments, and after care is what allows VCSG to be a continued guidepost for other animal care facilities in the country.

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Protected Pals

Written by Maya Spratley

“The patter of his feet crunching leaves while loud barks left his snout was all I could hear. Then all of a sudden I heard him let out a shrill cry,” Derek Lynn recalled about the fight his dog got into. “The other dog was twice his size and I knew immediately I  was going to need to have to get him to the vet.”

With the increased rates of illness and accidents that animals encounter, vet techs are urgering pet owners to look into pet insurance. 

Pet insurance is the animal equivalent of human health insurance. This form of security helps reimburse pet owners when medical complications should arise. This includes: accidents, illnesses, diagnostic tests, and hereditary conditions. 

According to Claudia Pullen, pet insurance is important to help protect animals in a time of need. This not only benefits the owner and the pet but also the veterinarian.

“Vet medical is one of the top cause for suicide within this country,” Pullen states. “Why? Because Fluffy comes in and the times Fluffy can be fixed by procedure or medication gets ignored then the price tag gets too big and we have to follow the owner’s instruction. If they do not want to surrender their pet then we have to euthanize them. It takes a toll on the vets knowing they could fix the situation but are not allowed.”

According to the Animal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty in Animals, each year approximately 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized. Out of this approximation 2 out of 3 pets are put down due to financial limitations. 

“One of my cats is prone to getting urinary tract infections. Having insurance saves me in the long run because the money begins to add up fast.”  stated Cailyn Olsen.

Many people are concerned about pet insurance, due to its lack of coverage for pre-existing conditions. Pet insurance ranges in cost depending on the animal. For dogs it is approximately $60 dollars a month compared to cats which is $32.

Individuals can purchase pet insurance through online plans, with their insurance providers, and stores such as Costco. 

“It’s a life. You need to be prepared for the times the animal gets injured and sick,” Pullen stated. “This is a life in their hands and unlike people they can not tell you the amount of pain they are in. You need to protect them as you would yourself.”

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