Associate DVM

Position Overview
Cook Veterinary Hospital is seeking a compassionate, motivated, and skilled Associate Veterinarian to join our independently owned small animal practice in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Established in 1967, Cook Veterinary Hospital has a long-standing reputation for providing quality veterinary medicine and personalized care. We are a small, growing practice with one full-time veterinarian, relief veterinarians when needed, and a dedicated support team.

We are looking for a veterinarian who enjoys the variety of general practice, values strong client relationships, and is passionate about providing excellent medical and surgical care.

A strong interest in surgery is highly desirable. We are particularly interested in someone who enjoys performing surgical procedures or would like to further develop their surgical skills.

We also encourage veterinarians to pursue their individual professional interests. Whether your passion is surgery, theriogenology, exotic animal medicine, dentistry, or another area of veterinary medicine, we are interested in supporting your professional development and exploring opportunities to expand our services.

For the right candidate, there may also be opportunities for future practice buy-in or ownership.

Primary Responsibilities
Medical and Patient Care

• Perform comprehensive physical examinations and wellness evaluations for small animal patients.
• Diagnose and treat a variety of medical conditions and illnesses.
• Develop individualized diagnostic and treatment plans based on patient needs and client circumstances.
• Interpret laboratory results, radiographs, and other diagnostic findings.
• Prescribe and administer medications and treatments appropriately.
• Provide preventive care, including vaccinations, parasite prevention, nutritional counseling, and wellness recommendations.
• Manage urgent and sick patient appointments, providing appropriate stabilization, treatment, or referral when necessary.
• Provide compassionate end-of-life care and guidance to clients.

Surgery and Dentistry

• Perform routine surgical procedures, including ovariohysterectomies, castrations, mass removals, and other soft tissue surgeries within the veterinarian's experience and training.
• Perform or assist with dental procedures, including oral examinations, dental radiograph interpretation, and extractions when appropriately trained.
• Evaluate surgical candidates and develop appropriate anesthetic and pain management protocols.
• Work closely with veterinary technicians to ensure safe anesthesia, patient monitoring, and postoperative recovery.
• Communicate surgical findings, outcomes, and postoperative instructions clearly to clients.
• Demonstrate an interest in expanding surgical capabilities through continuing education, mentorship, and hands-on experience.

Client Communication and Education

• Build trusting, long-term relationships with clients through compassionate, honest, and professional communication.
• Clearly explain diagnoses, diagnostic recommendations, treatment options, and associated costs.
• Educate pet owners about preventive care, disease management, and responsible pet ownership.
• Provide thorough discharge instructions and appropriate follow-up recommendations.
• Collaborate with clients to develop realistic treatment plans that prioritize patient welfare.

Medical Records and Team Collaboration

• Maintain accurate, thorough, and timely medical records in accordance with professional and legal standards.
• Ensure appropriate documentation of physical examination findings, diagnostic results, treatments, prescriptions, and client communications.
• Work collaboratively with veterinary technicians, assistants, receptionists, and other veterinarians to provide efficient patient care.
• Provide clear medical direction to support staff and promote effective communication throughout the hospital.
• Contribute to a positive, respectful, and supportive work environment.
• Participate in discussions regarding medical protocols, workflow improvements, and practice development.
  
  

Professional Development and Growth
At Cook Veterinary Hospital, we recognize that veterinarians have different professional interests and career goals.

We want our associates to enjoy practicing veterinary medicine and have opportunities to pursue the areas they find most rewarding.

We are open to supporting the development of additional services based on an associate's interests, experience, and the needs of the practice. Areas of potential growth include:

• Advanced soft tissue and orthopedic surgery
• Theriogenology and reproductive medicine
• Exotic animal medicine
• Advanced dentistry and oral surgery
• Integrative and complementary veterinary medicine, including acupuncture, rehabilitation, herbals
• Other specialized areas of veterinary interest

We welcome new ideas and encourage professional growth through mentorship, continuing education, and collaboration.

Potential Practice Ownership Opportunity
As an independently owned hospital with plans for continued growth, we recognize the value of developing long-term professional relationships.

For an associate interested in practice ownership, there may be an opportunity to explore future buy-in, partnership, or ownership arrangements.

This opportunity is entirely optional and would depend on mutual interest, professional compatibility, and future discussions.

We would love to find someone who shares our commitment to quality medicine and could envision helping shape the future of Cook Veterinary Hospital.

Our Core Values
We believe a positive workplace begins with shared values.

• Honesty: Communicating openly and ethically with our clients and coworkers. Being able to share and be yourself without judgement is important to us.
• Reliability: Being dependable, accountable, and committed to our patients and team.
• Respect: Treating clients, patients, and coworkers with kindness, compassion, and professionalism.
• Efficiency & Accuracy: Providing excellent medical care while maintaining attention to detail, accurate documentation, and efficient workflows.
• Having Fun While We Work: Maintaining a positive attitude, supporting one another, and remembering that veterinary medicine should be rewarding and enjoyable.

Compensation
Competitive salary based on experience, qualifications, and surgical proficiency.
Opportunities for professional development and mentorship.
Potential for long-term career advancement and future practice ownership discussions.

Why Cook Veterinary Hospital?
If you're looking for a practice where your opinions matter, your professional interests are encouraged, and you can develop meaningful relationships with your patients and clients, Cook Veterinary Hospital may be an excellent fit.

We offer the opportunity to practice quality veterinary medicine in a small, independently owned environment without the rigid structure often associated with larger corporate hospitals. We feel that time off is important so flexibility in scheduling is available. Making it home in time for dinner, whether you have a human family, a pet family, want to work out, want to explore the area, or just want to binge watch your favorite show after work is a priority for us.

We're looking for someone who wants to become a valued member of our team and grow with us.

If you love veterinary medicine, enjoy surgery, and want to work with people who genuinely care about their patients and one another, we encourage you to apply!

Required Qualifications

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) degree from an AVMA-accredited veterinary school or equivalent recognized qualification.
• Current Colorado veterinary license or eligibility for licensure.
• Strong foundation in small animal medicine, diagnostics, and preventive care.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and client education skills.
• Commitment to high-quality medicine and ethical veterinary practices.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining a collaborative, team-oriented approach.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Willingness to support and uphold the hospital's core values.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience or strong interest in small animal surgery.
• Proficiency in routine soft tissue surgical procedures.
• Interest in expanding surgical skills or developing additional areas of expertise.
• Experience in general small animal practice.
• Enthusiasm for contributing to the growth and development of an independently owned veterinary hospital.
• Recent graduates are encouraged to apply. Mentorship is available for veterinarians who are motivated to develop their clinical confidence, medical decision-making, and surgical skills.