(317) 534-6000
Our Practice
Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Care is a state of the art, advanced animal health care facility, providing the latest in veterinary surgery, diagnostics, imaging and intensive care for dogs and cats on Indianapolis’ Southside, Greenwood and other surrounding communities. We focus on delivering that care in a way that places you and your pet as our highest priority. With us, you’re never just a number. You’ll be welcomed with open arms and caring, compassionate hearts.
Our dedicated team is available to handle even the most critical situations, 24/7/365. We also offer a wide variety of specialty services to manage your companion’s ongoing good health. Our patients have access to an elite team of doctors, specialists and support staff that are prepared to step in and handle all of your pet care needs at a moment’s notice. Our veterinary surgeons have combined experience that spans more than 70 years and are nationally recognized for their skills. You can feel confident that when your pet is with us, he or she is in caring, capable hands.
Our hospital is well equipped with advanced equipment and technologies that allow us to provide the highest standard of care for your pet. Our facility has the equipment to provide comprehensive in house testing for advanced diagnostic services, including digital x-ray, ultrasound imaging and CT scanning. We also have cutting edge surgical suites, well-stocked pharmacy, and much more.
Our feel at home exam rooms and the genuine concern our dedicated staff has for each and every one of our clients and patients are what sets us apart and makes us the emergency and specialty care center of choice for so many local pet lovers. Our doctors stay in touch with clients, providing daily updates, whether it’s an intensive care case in our ER, a referral to our surgical or internal medicine departments or something else. We’re ready to partner with you with the shared goal of helping your loved one remain as happy and healthy as possible.
At Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Care, we strive to offer not only sound advice, but also optimal veterinary care at affordable prices. Our job is not only to treat your pet when he or she isn’t feeling well, but also to work with you AND your family veterinarian to provide the highest level of care and service to you and your loved one. We will communicate with both you and your veterinarian through every step of the way to ensure that all members of your pet’s healthcare team are involved in his or her important health care decisions.
Whether your pet is arriving from one of our many referring veterinary practices or if you simply found us on your own, we promise to treat your four legged family member with compassionate care and involve you and your regular veterinarian in the management of your pet’s case. In addition to our specialist referral services, our emergency care team is available around the
clock and every day of the year for any pet related emergency that may arise. While you hopefully never have to experience such a situation, it's good to know that there's someone you can count on in your time of need.
Regardless of the reason you’re visiting our hospital, when you’re with us, you can expect to receive compassionate care and genuine concern, starting with the first contact via the phone with our receptionists, all the way through to our aftercare follow up, and every step along the way. We want you and your pet to feel as comfortable and at ease as possible with us, and we pledge to always go the extra mile in everything we do to achieve that goal.
We look forward to serving you and your loved one in every way we can and helping to improve the chances of you both enjoying many happy, healthy years of companionship with one another. To learn more about the services we offer, click here.
Reviews & Testimonials
See what some of our clients had to say about their visit with us!
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Meet Our Team
Dr. Joshua Bruce, DACVS-SA
Veterinary Surgeon
As a young kid, Dr. Bruce always wanted to take in all the stray animals he happened upon and care for them. He never grew out of that passion.
His love of surgery allows him to take an animal with a very real, very visible problem and provide a solution that changes that animal's life. He takes pride in being able to return a "normal" animal to its family. He enjoys all aspects of surgery, including soft tissue, orthopedic, and even neurological issues.
Dr. Bruce's family includes his wife, twin toddlers (affectionately called "Twinadoes") and Colt, a Border Collie. In his spare time, he and his wife enjoy finding new, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, watching sports (collegiate and pro), and has started to dabble in woodworking.
Dr. Bridget Dixey
Emergency Veterinarian
A graduate of Franklin Central High School, Dr. Dixey attended Purdue and received her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Sciences with a minor in Biology. She was a member of the Shelter Medicine Club, Pre-Vet Club and played intramural 4x4 sand volleyball. She then attended Lincoln Memorial University where she obtained her DVM. Her veterinary interests include small animal internal medicine, surgery, and emergency and critical care.
When not taking care of patients, Dr. Dixey enjoys going on hikes, walks/runs with her 6-year-old Dalmatian, Vegas, as well as working out at the gym, baking/cooking, traveling, trying out breweries and wineries, and just relaxing, watching TV with a pint of Häagen-Dazs ice cream.
We are excited to have Dr. Dixey as part of the Noah's & VSEC family!
Dr. Gena Fagerberg
Emergency Veterinarian
Dr. Fagerberg was one of those kids who wanted to be a Veterinarian. She's always liked the idea of being able to help creatures who can't explain where it hurts. She attended veterinary school at the University of Wisconsin, and has been with us since September of 2019,.
A self-proclaimed "bird nerd," Dr. Fagerberg has her Master's Degree in Avian Science through the University of California-Davis. She's worked with various parrots and raptors at flying shows around the country. Dr. Fagerberg also volunteers at the Red Wolf Sanctuary in Rising Sun, Indiana.
Her family includes her English Toy Spaniel, Walter, and her Tortie, Hecate. We are so thankful to have Dr. Fagerberg on our team.
Dr. Kristi Herr
Emergency Veterinarian
Bio is on its way!
Dr. Joni Kirch
Emergency Veterinarian
Dr. Kirch was born and raised in Indianapolis. From an early age, she knew her passion for animal care was something special—she never had a second thought about becoming a veterinarian!
In high school, Joni studied hard to be accepted into Purdue University’s pre-vet- program. After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Purdue, she was accepted into their School of Veterinary Medicine, graduating with her DVM in 1993.
As a veterinarian, Dr. Kirch enjoys all aspects of general practice. She finds the relationships she develops with families are the most rewarding parts of her job.
At home, Joni lives with Giggsy, a poodle rescue. When she’s not working, spending time with family, or caring for her pets, Dr. Kirch enjoys playing soccer, her hobby of 30 years. She even travels occasionally to play in tournaments! She’s also hiked through more than 30 of the country’s national parks, and plans to visit many more.
Dr. Austin Vaughn
Emergency Veterinarian
Dr. Vaughn's introduction to the veterinary world started at an early age in his hometown of Evansville, Indiana. He shadowed the family veterinarian in middle school, and worked his way up the ladder. In high school he was a Kennel Technician and then a Veterinary Assistant. His main area of interest is emergency veterinary medicine. and enjoys the wide variety of cases.
When not taking care of patients, Dr. Vaughn enjoys spending time with the love of his life, fiance' Ellie, and their dog, Rosie. They enjoy exploring local trails, restaurants, and craft breweries (especially ones that allow Rosie!).
We are excited to have Dr. Vaughn on our team.
Dr. Jim Naughton
Imaging
Bio is on its way!
Susie Crockett, CVPM
Practice Manager
Susie grew up in Fort Wayne, and moved to Indianapolis in 2003 after graduating from Purdue. She started working in Customer Service at a veterinary hospital in 1999 while attending college, and soon worked her way up to Office Manager and then Practice Manager. After graduating and working in the corporate world for a while, she quickly realized that the hands-on work with the clients and staff in a veterinary practice was her true passion.
She was encouraged to join a local veterinary managers group and met her first Noah’s employee there. She was soon introduced to the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association and Certified Veterinary Practice Manager Program. Susie worked incredibly hard to master the skills required and earned her CVPM designation in 2006.
She is a Board Member of the CVPM, and is an active member of the Veterinary Hospital Manager's Association and Veterinary Managers Association of Indiana. Susie has 2 kids who keep her incredibly busy, and a dog named Bradley.
Crystal Schaeffer, RVT
Surgical Team & Director of Technician Development
Mariah Bowens
Veterinary Assistant
Bio is on its way!
Sailor Fulkerson, RVT
Registered Veterinary Technician
Bio is on its way!
Josie Imus
Client Service Representative
A native of Fairbanks, Alaska, Josie had an early (and unique!) introduction to animals. Her family raised sled dogs, and her Mom even ran the Yukon Quest! Dog mushing was a big part of her family, and where there are working dogs - there are vet visits. Josie quickly became interested in veterinary medicine.
She worked as a Veterinary Assistant at multiple practices in Fairbanks before moving to Indianapolis and joining the VSEC team in 2015. Her family includes her girlfriend and their daughter, and their four-legged kids: dogs Trance, Basher & Goose, and cats Chaeli, Stitch & Olivia. They also have a very unique fish family - including Bucky, Steve, Clint, Phil, Kate Basil...and 4 catfish known as the Tracksuit Mafia.
Alisha Jones
Imaging Technician
To Alisha, working at Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Care is much more than just a job—it’s about her making a difference in the lives of pets and their owners each and every day. The feeling she gets when she knows she’s helped an animal is what keeps driving her forward!
Born in northern Indiana, Alisha started in the veterinary world 13 years ago. After initially working as a surgery technician, she found her true passion lay in radiology. She learned all she could about CT, MRI, and Fluoroscopy imaging and fell in love with it. In March of 2014, Alisha came to VSEC to continue working with Dr. Elkins, whom she’d worked with previously for 10 years.
Alisha is married to her husband Steve. Together they have a 13-year-old son, Chase, who keeps them very busy. The family has two dogs: Maddy, a pit-mix, and Guinness, a Chihuahua. Willow the cat rounds out the pets of the family. When she’s not working, Alisha enjoys re-finishing furniture, painting, organizing, cleaning, scrapbooking, and gardening. When she isn’t doing any of these things, Alisha loves to volunteer and helps out wherever she can!
Nikki King
Veterinary Assistant
Bio is on its way!
Megan Lucas
Veterinary Assistant
Bio is on its way!
Donna Luzzi
Client Service Representative
Donna has been a part of the VSEC team since 2016. She's always had a passion for animals and for helping people.
In her spare time, Donna and her husband, Rich, are active in animal rescue. They've been doing it for over 20 years! Their family includes Jersey (a Rottweiler/Chow mix), Champ (a Husky mix), and Movi (a purebred Rottweiler).
Lizzy Muller
Veterinary Assistant
Bio is on its way!
Hannah Pipes
Client Service Representative
Bio is on its way!
Emily Riemer
Veterinary Assistant
Bio is on its way!
Chelsea Roberts
Veterinary Assistant
Bio is on its way!
Katy Schuster
Veterinary Assistant, Surgery Team
Bio is on its way!
Brittany Searcy, RVT
Surgical Team
Growing up on the west side of Indianapolis, Brittany was the kid taking naps with the dogs outside—sometimes in the dog house! Her affinity with animals at a young age convinced her to become a veterinary professional.
Brittany applied to the Vet Tech Institute at International Business College and was quickly accepted. 18 months later she graduated with her Registered Veterinary Technician’s license. Now she loves coming to work every day at Noah’s Stop 11 Animal Hospital! She especially likes assisting with surgeries because of the challenge, and also is passionate about client education and helping pet owners understand their furry friends’ health.
Brittany’s personal interests include animal behavior, holistic medicine, traveling, crafting, and continuing her education. At home, she has five dogs: Snoopy, Tate, Lily, Chubbers, and Tyson, as well as two cats named Tootie and Lucy who enjoy basking in the sun.
Benjamin Thomas
Veterinary Technician
Cassidy Vanderpool, RVT
Registered Veterinary Technician
Bio is on its way!
Alli Weaver
Veterinary Assistant
Bio is on its way!
Leigh West
Veterinary Assistant, Surgery Team
Bio is on its way!
Mandy Young
Client Service Representative
Mandy was inspired to work in the veterinary profession by her Newfoundland dog. Since the Newfoundland breed comes with specific health concerns, Mandy had to be very responsible for her beloved pet’s health. It ended up sparking an interest in specialty veterinary medicine, and now Mandy gets to work alongside the pros at Veterinary Specialty and Emergency!
Mandy was born and raised as an only child in Indianapolis. After being a stay-at-home mom for many years, she wanted to re-enter the workforce. She began as a part-time receptionist, then worked full-time in the office of a local florist. When she heard about at opening at VSEC, she took a leap of faith and applied. She was hired on in May of 2014.
Along with husband of 20 years, Mandy lives with her two sons, one daughter, and three dogs: a 14-year old Alaskan Malamute, a seven-year-old pug mix, and her Newfoundland. Mandy says she loves spending time outdoors, as long as it’s not raining or humid! She also likes watching and participating in American Kennel Club dog shows. Her proudest moment came when her 20-month old female puppy took Best of Breed over several male dogs!
