a hands-on veterinary emergency program, for kids!
kids get to be
ER vets, too!
VEG Little Vets is an exciting, hands-on program that teaches young children all about ER veterinary medicine. Through weekly classes taught by VEG emergency vets and veterinary nurses, kids, ages 7-9, learn how to use real ER tools and medical equipment to diagnose and treat their very own pretend patients. Each session focuses on a different topic—from bones and blood to physical exams and surgery—and uses interactive lessons, games, and activities to show what actually happens in the ER. It’s a fun and educational way for little vets-in-the-making to learn what it’s really like to be an animal doctor—from someone who does it (and loves it!) every day.
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inspiring the next gen
For more than ten years, VEG founder, David Bessler, taught young children about the world of veterinary emergency. In his class, kids didn’t just hear about what happens in the ER, they experienced it—blood, guts, and all! After seeing how well children responded to the class, it was decided that Little Vets should expand to a broader audience. Combining the medical knowledge of VEG emergency vets and veterinary nurses with a curriculum designed by a seasoned elementary school teacher, the program was soon brought to life. Now VEG Little Vets can reach more kids who are curious about veterinary medicine—and inspire the next generation to help people and their pets when they need it most.
My son loved learning about different aspects of veterinary emergency medicine and enjoyed all of the hands-on activities—especially performing surgery and doing x-rays. He looked forward to Little Vets every week and even asked if he could take the class again!
My daughter has said multiple times that she wishes Little Vets was every day—she loved it! Thanks for all of the hard work and care you've put into the program!
My daughter had the most amazing experience. She loved learning interesting facts about animals and their anatomy, and about all of the machines that help keep pets safe. She especially loved learning how to put a cast on a pet!
My daughter came into this class very afraid of dogs. Little Vets created a safe environment for her to not only learn about helping dogs and other animals, but also become more comfortable with them. After graduating, she was inspired to spend time with real dogs and overcome her fear. I highly recommend this class!
My daughter was so excited about getting to help fix animals! She came home from every class talking about something new she learned and spent the remainder of the week telling anyone who would listen.
This was the perfect way to foster my daughter's love for animals!
My daughter loved learning about how to keep our dogs healthy and happy. She felt responsible and helpful at home after taking this class!
Meet The Collaborators
Little Vets was brought to life with the help of an amazing team of collaborators. Using their real-world knowledge and experience—from their favorite parts of the job to first-hand stories and photos from the front lines—our Little Vets contributors helped create an exciting, STEAM-based, kid-friendly curriculum that teaches children what it’s really like to work in the ER.
DR. DAVID BESSLER
DR. BETHANY WEINHEIMER
DR. MONICA STERK
DR. JONATHAN GRINDLEY
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Real ER Vets, Real Fun Learning!
VEG Little Vets was created with the help of VEG emergency vets and veterinary nurses, who bring their real-life ER experience and passion for veterinary emergency to the program. This includes our teachers, who provide a fun and interactive classroom experience for students, and our collaborators, who worked behind the scenes to contribute their knowledge to our exciting, kid-friendly curriculum that covers everything you need to know to be a Little Vet.
Let's Get Started
If you have any inquiries about our Little Vets program, feel free to reach out to us! To begin the process of inquiring about one of our classes, please fill out the form provided.
Meet The Collaborators
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DR. DAVID BESSLER
Dr. David Bessler is the Founder and CEO of VEG. He’s also an emergency doctor who loves being a hero to people and their pets when they need it most. Beyond helping customers, his favorite thing about VEG is the fun everyone has when they’re together. He lives in White Plains, NY, with his family, which includes Ferris, a Chihuahua mix, and Nico, a bearded dragon.
DR. BETHANY WEINHEIMER
Bethany Weinheimer has been at VEG for two years as the West Coast area medical director. She loves being a vet because she’s able to help and save the lives of animals when no one else can. Her favorite part about VEG is that customers get to stay with their pets throughout their entire visit—which allows pet owners to value and appreciate what veterinarians do and keeps their pets feeling safe and comfortable. Bethany has a Chocolate Lab named Zeba.
DR. MONICA STERK
Monica Sterk is an area medical director in the Northeast region and has been at VEG for four years. As a vet, she loves being able to help sick animals in need and comfort their families. As a VEG vet, she loves how we keep people and their pets together! Monica lives in Nanuet with her perfect dachshund/terrier mix, Schnitzel, and cats Delaware and California.
DR. JONATHAN GRINDLEY
Jonathan Grindley has been a medical director at VEG for two and a half years. He loves how his job allows him to help creatures who can't speak for themselves and support the human/animal bond. He loves how VEG is disrupting the industry and challenging the way we approach veterinary medicine and workplace culture. Jonathan lives in Brooklyn, NY, with his English Pointer, Nutmeg.
Meet The Teachers
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Dr. Daniel York
Dr. Daniel York has been at VEG for a year and a half, first in our New ER Doctor training program, and now as an ER veteriniarian. As a vet, he loves working day and night in the ER to help people and their pets and really make a difference. He also loves how at VEG pet owners can stay with their pets the entire time and see the care they’re receiving, so they can fully appreciate and understand the work we do. Daniel lives in White Plains with his dog, Ting.
DR. JASON DOMBROSKY
Jason Dombrosky has been at VEG since the beginning of 2020 and has been the medical director at VEG San Ramon since it opened. He loves being a vet because he can help people and their pets when they need it most. He really enjoys working at VEG because we are changing the face of veterinary medicine. He lives in San Ramon with his dogs (Winnie and Dash), cats (Mia, Pumpkin, Cupcake, Pickles, and Cali), tortoises (Hugh and Cleo), Lovebird (Lester), Pigs (Frank and Willow), Horses (Charm and Sam), Koi fish, and Finches.
Dr. Anna Foster
Anna Foster is a veterinarian and has worked at VEG for three years. She loves being a vet because she’s able to give people the gift of having happy and healthy animals for longer. Her favorite part of VEG is how we keep people and their pets together. Anna lives in New York with her cat, Francois.
DR. BROOKE BUTLER
Brooke Butler is VEG’s VP of Talent. In her five years at VEG, she has also worked as an emergency doctor and loves how vets are like detectives, putting together pieces of the puzzle to figure out what’s wrong with their patients. She also loves the transparency and openness of VEG, and how keeping people and their pets together helps us connect with customers. Brooke lives in New York, NY, with Sugar, her Border Collie mix.
DR. LAURYN BENSON
Lauryn Benson has been a medical director at VEG for three and a half years. She can’t imagine another field as rewarding as veterinary emergency—when she can help animals and their people it’s the best feeling in the world! She loves working at VEG because of the amazing culture and how fun is always celebrated—and encouraged! She lives in Melville, NY, with Boo, her 14-year-old Black Lab mix.
LIZZY BLATUS
Lizzy Blatus has been an emergency veterinary nurse at VEG for four years. She loves how her job allows her to experience many different aspects of veterinary medicine, from neurology to treating exotics. Her favorite part about VEG is the balance between animal and human care. She truly appreciates every "thank you" and loves knowing she made a difference for both the pet and the owner. Lizzy lives in Bronx, NY, with Zeda, her 16-year-old Siberian Husky.
JOELLE STINGONE
Joelle Stingone is a veterinary nursing development manager and has been at VEG since 2020. She loves collaborating with her team to manage cases and using her emergency and critical care skills to help her patients. Her favorite thing about VEG is how they support their people so they can grow personally and professionally. She lives in Yorktown Heights, NY, with her cat, Lotus, and leopard gecko, Prada
DANA FINNEY
Dana Finney is an area hospital manager at VEG San Ramon and has been with VEG since early 2021. She loves transparency at VEG and how we keep owners and pets together, so people are involved in their pets’ care. She lives with her four pets: Dozer, the Boston Terrier, Tonka, the Bully, and her cats, Pennywise and Cooper.
