Our History

While working as a referral surgeon in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area, Dr. Nichole Danova saw the need for a surgical referral service. Armed with a small staff, she opened Veterinary Surgical Center (VSC) in December 2009. VSC provided the area’s pets a dedicated veterinary surgical service. Thanks to the overwhelming support of the community and referring veterinarians, VSC quickly outgrew its space at Johnson College. Plans were drawn for a move to a larger space to allow the service to grow into a full-service veterinary facility. Veterinary Referral & Emergency Center (VREC) was formed and opened in South Abington Township in May 2010.
VREC is proud to provide distinctive and comprehensive veterinary services to the region’s pets. Currently, VREC offers emergency, surgery, internal medicine, exotic medicine, cardiology, and physical rehabilitation departments. VREC also has an on-site MRI, the only in the region.
VREC is one of the largest and most inclusive veterinary facilities in Northeast PA — and the only facility in Lackawanna County. Our staff has expanded to over 50 members, all focused on surpassing the needs of patients, clients, and referring veterinary community.
Our Staff

From the moment you walk through the doors, the clinicians, veterinary technicians, assistants, and client services staff at VREC are ready to deliver the best possible care for your pet — and for you. As fellow pet parents, we deeply respect the unique bond between people and their pets and utilize our expertise to uphold that special relationship.
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A Veterinary Team You Can Count On 24/7

VREC is available for your “pet peace of mind.” Our emergency staff is ready to assess and treat a wide variety of critical and trauma concerns. Here, we are patient-focused, meaning our veterinary teams work together to form a seamless network assuring unsurpassed continuity of care.
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