About Veterinary Emergency Services

Veterinary Emergency Services was founded in 1998 by a group of veterinarians from Verona, VA and the surrounding local area. Their goal was to establish a local animal hospital that provides high quality emergency pet care for critically ill or injured animals during the hours when regular veterinarian offices are closed. Now a veteran owned and operated business, we carry on that mission to this day!

We are here to help you through the toughest times you are likely to experience as a pet owner. Our state-of-the-art facility is open whenever you need us – 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, including holidays! We are fully equipped to diagnose and treat any veterinary emergency. We primarily see cats and dogs.

If you live closer to the Charlottesville area and have an urgent care need, we refer clients to our sister clinic, Hollymead Veterinary Hospital (formerly VETSS) to ensure they’re in good hands.

Renee Addison, DVM

Originally from Stuarts Draft, Virginia, Dr. Addison has lived in exotic places around the world. These include tropical islands, such as Maui and St. Kitts, as well as the austere deserts of Djibouti in eastern Africa. Dr. Addison also has a varied and extensive medical background. She has been a rescue squad medic, a United States Navy Hospital Corpsman (combat medic), and spent years as a veterinary technician before finally becoming an ER doctor.

She completed her small animal medicine and surgical rotating internship at VCA Animal Referral and Emergency Center of Arizona. After, she was their overnight emergency doctor for several years. Dr. Addison is happy to be home, and proud to be a team member at Veterinary Emergency Services. She spends her off time with her wife and their two children along with five dogs, three cats, numerous fish, a parakeet and a gecko.

Kate Stauffer, DVM

Dr. Stauffer joined Veterinary Emergency Services as a relief veterinarian in April of 2019 and became a full-time associate in October 2020. Growing up in a house full of dogs, cats, rabbits, rats, hamsters, and even hermit crabs, she always knew she wanted to be a veterinarian. After she received her DVM from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg in 2012, Dr. Stauffer worked in daytime general practice for 8 years. She joined VES full-time after discovering her love of emergency care as a relief ER doctor.

These days, she has far fewer animals than she did while growing up; just three rambunctious dogs, Lena, Bindi, and Nora (who came to her as a homeless VES patient). Outside of the clinic, she enjoys crocheting, reading, and traveling with her husband and children.

Patrick Robertson, DVM

A member of the VES team since September 2022, Dr. Robertson originally hails from Alberta, Canada. He discovered his love for veterinary medicine and the ability to have a direct and meaningful impact on the lives of animals while volunteering with a wildlife rescue in Ecuador. He went on to earn his DVM from the University of Saskatchewan, Western College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Robertson has special interests in wildlife/exotics and surgery. He appreciates working as part of a team to solve problems and that he is always learning something new at VES.

At home, Dr. Robertson has a small menagerie: 2 dogs (Lilah and Eloise), 2 cats (Charlotte and Rosie), an African Grey parrot (Zoey), a hamster (Clover) and a chinchilla (Lupin). He enjoys skiing, hiking, exploring and traveling.

Jessica Wenger, LVT

Jessica is our lead veterinary technician. A Virginia native, she joined VES in May 2016. She received her Associates degree in Veterinary Technology from Blue Ridge Community College. Prior to becoming a member of the VES family she worked at a practice in Salem, VA.

When not at work, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, and spending time with her family. She has four dogs, three cats, and a horse.

Crystal Frye

Crystal, who joined VES in August of 2009, is our lead veterinary assistant. Growing up, she had a love and passion for animals and was constantly surrounded cats, dogs, and livestock. Crystal volunteered at small animal practice in her hometown throughout high school to gain experience in the field. After graduating, she worked at The Homestead Resort as a trail guide at their stables for 4 years interacting with guests and caring for the horses on a daily basis.

Crystal moved to the Shenandoah Valley in 2007 and she currently resides with her three dogs: Zeus the miniature pinchser, Flame the smooth collie, and Pax the German Shepherd. She also has Nipper, a quarter horse cross, who moved with her to the Valley in 2007. She dearly misses her pet boxer Bentley, who she lost in 2019. Bentley was well-known in the community due to frequent public appearances at events like the Augusta County Fair. 

Morgan Grogg

Before coming to VES in December of 2018, Morgan worked in a local day practice. Working with animals has always been a passion of hers, and she feels lucky that she has an opportunity to do so night after night.

In her free time, she enjoys hiking and thrift shopping. She has a collection of about 350 vintage Pyrex dishes. Her Great Pyrenees, Josie Mae, is a certified canine blood donor for VES. She also has five cats: Gabby, Addy Bug, Letty Jo, Burr, and Stewart.

Teresa Grogg

Teresa has worked at VES since May of 2005. She lives in Churchville with her husband Raymond and son Robert. She has two dogs: Molly and Katie.

When not at work, she enjoys Garden Tractor Pulling, collecting and showing farm toys, hunting, and fishing. She is a support member of the Churchville Volunteer Fire & Rescue Squad, a member of the Western Augusta Steam and Gas Club, the Virginia International Harvester Club, the Shenandoah Valley Garden Tractor Pullers, and the Little Switzerland Strutters.

Millie the Cat

Millie joined the VES team in 2017. She is a 5 year old domestic shorthair. When the practice is quiet, she will come out of her private bedroom and visit with the staff. If you walk by VES during the day, you may see her sunning herself in front of the door, watching the people and cars pass by. She has helped save 15 feline lives through blood transfusions.