New ER Doctor (NERD) Program: Starts April 2026, Practicing Veterinarians - Pleasant Hill, CA

A passion for helping people and their pets

A valid DVM, VMD, or equivalent degree

Be a practicing veterinarian for 1+ years

A desire to live and breathe emergency medicine

A valid license to practice veterinary medicine, as well as a valid DEA registration in the state you will be completing your program by your start date

Ability to stand for prolonged hours, kneel, and work on the floor, as well as ability to lift up to 25 kg on own and able to support up to 40 kg with assistance

Work side-by-side with experienced VEG doctors who will mentor you through real ER cases, offering guidance and feedback every step of the way. This isn’t just shadowing—it’s hands-on learning with built-in mentorship.

New ER Doctors (a.k.a. NERDS!) get up-close, firsthand ER experience, working 3-4 hospital shifts per week (days, swings, and nights), as well as through weekly case discussions, literature reviews, and hands-on training at state-of-the-art facilities.

Learn best practices for client-centered communication and care, the VEG Way.

What CE experiences can you expect to attend during the program?

From hands-on training to weekly didactic learning, NERD program participants earn over 160 RACE-approved CE hours in just six months—which takes most doctors 10 years to complete! Some CE highlights include:

Abdominal, thoracic and cardiac point-of care ultrasound