Dr. Carl Veltri

Dr. Carl Veltri graduated from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine.  During his tenure at Tufts, he participated in the Aquavet program.   Dr. Veltri co-founded the only emergency practice in Berks County; Berks Animal and Emergency Referral Center.  He has served as Medical Director at several hospitals.   He enjoys the challenges of emergency care with close to three decades of experience in the field; with special interests in oncology, internal medicine and cardiology.

Dr. Veltri is a member of the International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Association and American Veterinary Medical Association.  Each year, he attends lectures and labs in critical care and emergency medicine and reads extensively on the subject to further his knowledge.

In his spare time, Dr. Veltri enjoys hiking, kayaking and birding.  He participates in the  annual  Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the Topton area.

Dr. Andrew Ernst

Dr. Ernst graduated from the Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in 2018. He is originally from Lancaster, PA and currently lives in Perkasie with his soon to be wife, Brittany and 3 cats, Beta, Gamma, and Gideon. He completed a small animal rotating internship at The Center for Animal Referral and Emergency Services in Langhorne PA in 2019. His interests include all aspects of feline medicine (with a special interest in feline infectious diseases). He enjoys reading, spending time with his family, and trying to keep his cats out of mischief. Dr. Ernst plans to continue his training and to specialize in veterinary emergency and critical care.

Dr. Kara Kruger

Dr. Kruger was born and raised in northeast Pennsylvania. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Marywood University and a Masters degree from East Stroudsburg University. She then went on to graduate from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine with her clinical training at Virginia Tech. After veterinary school she completed two small animal medicine and surgery internships in the Virginia-Maryland region, as well as training in veterinary rehabilitation through the University of Tennessee CCRP program. Now happy to be back in the region with wife Helen, a Sulcata Tortoise named Ernest, and two dogs, Elliot a German Shorthaired Pointer and Indigo a Blue Tick Coonhound. When not busy at work Dr. Kruger enjoys time hiking and training with the dogs for search and rescue.

Dr. Karen Patton

Dr. Patton grew up on a farm in western Kansas. She graduated with a BA in biology from Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS in 2003. She attended veterinary school at Kansas State University and graduated in 2008. Dr. Patton completed a rotating internship in Internal medicine, surgery, and emergency medicine at the university of Minnesota from 2008-2009. She has been practicing emergency medicine in Northeast Pa and the Lehigh Valley for the past 9 years. Her clinical interests include emergency medicine, internal medicine, and cardiology. Dr. Patton resides in Sellersville, Pa with husband, 3 children, 2 dogs, and 2 cats.

Dr. Heather Regan

Dr. Regan resides in Lehigh county and is originally from Nanticoke PA. She graduated from Penn State University in 2002. Dr. Regan is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine in 2007. Dr. Regan has extensive experience in emergency medicine and has been working as an emergency veterinarian since 2007. Dr. Regan is a member of the AVMA and VECCS. She is married and stays busy with her 4 children. Her family also includes 2 cats and 2 dogs. Dr. Regan enjoys outdoor activities, physical fitness and cooking.

Dr. Joshua Sprague

Dr. Sprague grew up in Tabernacle, NJ and graduated with a BS from Stockton University. He obtained his veterinary degree from the Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. Dr. Sprague has been practicing emergency medicine for all but 2 years since. His clinical interests in fluid therapy, pain management, and trauma. Dr. Sprague enjoys cooking, reading, and exploring the Lehigh Valley with his wife and 2 samoyeds.

Kacee Cope CVT
Hospital Administrator

Kacee has been an Allentown native her entire life. In 2009 she graduated from Lehigh Carbon Community College with a degree in Veterinary Medical Nursing and was also the class president of the student chapter of NAVTA. She has worked all aspects of the veterinary industry but enjoys small animal medicine the best! She lives nearby with her husband, two young children and dog Moose. In her free time she enjoys vegetable gardening, fishing and hiking.

Jessica Smith CVT
Nursing Supervisor

Jessica was born and raised in Berks county PA.  She graduated from Wilson College in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Medical Technology with a concentration in Biology, a liberal arts degree and a minor in music.  She has developed real enjoyment in anesthesia and surgery in small animals.  Jessica is married with 2 stepchildren and has 3 rescued dogs at home.  In her free time she is often at a BMX or sprint car race track.