What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Veterinarian - Small Animal position at Heritage Vet Partners?
Animal Medical Centers – Spencer is looking for a full-time, companion animal-focused Associate Veterinarian to join our growing, well-established practice — new graduates are welcome! While we’re a mixed animal clinic, this role lets you focus exclusively on small animals, with real opportunity to expand and grow that side of the practice to fit your professional interests. You’ll also have mentorship and case collaboration access across our Hartley and Sheldon locations, giving you more support than a typical small-town practice offers.
Highlights
Animal Medical Centers – Spencer is a well-established mixed animal practice in Northwest Iowa, part of a 10-doctor team that values quality medicine, teamwork, and strong community relationships. While the practice sees a full mix of species, this role is dedicated exclusively to small animal medicine — giving you the space to build and grow that caseload rather than working it in around other cases.
Associates also benefit from mentorship and case collaboration with veterinarians at our Hartley and Sheldon locations, expanding your support network well beyond our own clinic.
You’ll Be Working Alongside
Spencer is located in Northwest Iowa, offering a charming downtown shopping atmosphere and genuine hometown hospitality. The Iowa Great Lakes area is close by, offering excellent outdoor recreation opportunities.
Our Offer
Animal Medical Centers has partnered with Heritage Vet Partners (HVP), the nation’s leading veterinary partnership for mixed and large animal practices. HVP values the legacy and customer relationships that practices have built and aims to enhance that foundation with exceptional support.
Together, we can better meet the changing needs of our customers and the industry. Partner practices and veterinarians share in HVP’s success through stock ownership while maintaining existing leadership and culture.
HVP currently has multiple locations throughout the US with a vast offering of practice types and specialties! Visit us at https://heritagevetpartners.com to learn more!
Highlights
- Join a collaborative 10-doctor team across our network, with mentorship access at our Hartley and Sheldon locations
- A true growth opportunity — practice small animal medicine exclusively, with room to expand and shape those services around your own interests
- Charming downtown Northwest Iowa, just an hour from the Iowa Great Lakes for outdoor recreation, with favorable on-call and weekend expectations
Animal Medical Centers – Spencer is a well-established mixed animal practice in Northwest Iowa, part of a 10-doctor team that values quality medicine, teamwork, and strong community relationships. While the practice sees a full mix of species, this role is dedicated exclusively to small animal medicine — giving you the space to build and grow that caseload rather than working it in around other cases.
Associates also benefit from mentorship and case collaboration with veterinarians at our Hartley and Sheldon locations, expanding your support network well beyond our own clinic.
You’ll Be Working Alongside
- Dr. Mark Rees (Iowa State ‘95)
- Dr. Jeremy Bedford (Iowa State ‘01)
- Dr. Janessa Mechler (Iowa State ‘09)
- Dr. Victoria Foerster (Iowa State ‘11)
- Dr. Katie Kiepe (Iowa State ‘22)
- Dr. Jeremy Stuart (Kansas State ‘06) – Hartley, IA
- Dr. Aaron Nystrom (Minnesota ‘10) – Hartley, IA
- Dr. Katie Paulus (Iowa State ‘11) – Hartley, IA
- Dr. Lisa Yeske-Livermore (Iowa State ‘15) – Hartley, IA
- Dr. Sandra Schmith (Iowa State ‘87) – Sheldon, IA
- Dr. Rebecca Cuperus (Minnesota ‘03) – Sheldon, IA
- Dr. Megan Klein (Iowa State ‘24) – Sheldon, IA
- Provide comprehensive medical, surgical, and preventive care for small animal patients
- Utilize in-house diagnostics, digital radiography, and therapeutic equipment to form accurate treatment plans
- Collaborate closely with a well-trained, experienced support staff
- Maintain strong communication and build lasting relationships with a loyal client base
- DVM or VMD degree required; active Iowa veterinary license, or eligibility to obtain one prior to start date
- Open to both experienced veterinarians and motivated new graduates looking for strong mentorship
- Dedicated to team collaboration and high-quality patient care
- Comfortable building lasting relationships with clients and colleagues
- Excited by the opportunity to help shape and grow a dedicated small animal service line
Spencer is located in Northwest Iowa, offering a charming downtown shopping atmosphere and genuine hometown hospitality. The Iowa Great Lakes area is close by, offering excellent outdoor recreation opportunities.
Our Offer
- Competitive salary based on experience
- Competitive PTO plan
- CE Allowance, including paid time off for training
- Professional liability insurance and association dues covered
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401K with employer match
- Full Benefits Package (STD, LTD, Life, Accident, more!)
- Up to eight weeks PAID parental leave* (after 6 months)
- Accelerated ownership opportunity with our Associate Equity Program!
- 6 weeks paid medical recovery time for birth mothers 2 weeks paid bonding time for all parents
Animal Medical Centers has partnered with Heritage Vet Partners (HVP), the nation’s leading veterinary partnership for mixed and large animal practices. HVP values the legacy and customer relationships that practices have built and aims to enhance that foundation with exceptional support.
Together, we can better meet the changing needs of our customers and the industry. Partner practices and veterinarians share in HVP’s success through stock ownership while maintaining existing leadership and culture.
HVP currently has multiple locations throughout the US with a vast offering of practice types and specialties! Visit us at https://heritagevetpartners.com to learn more!