Associate Veterinarian

Associate Veterinarian - Ponchatoula & Independence, LA Hickory Small Animal Hospital is seeking an Associate Veterinarian to support our two AAHA‑accredited small animal hospitals in Ponchatoula and Independence, Louisiana. We welcome both experienced veterinarians and new graduates with an interest in small animal general practice, preventive care, and primary care surgery who are excited to grow in a supportive, team‑oriented environment. What We Offer Competitive base salary + production‑based compensation (paid quarterly, no long‑term negative accrual) Sign‑on bonus and retention bonus opportunities Relocation assistance Flexible scheduling to support work‑life balance About You You’re a dedicated small animal veterinarian (or upcoming graduate) who enjoys building lasting relationships with clients while delivering high‑quality, compassionate care. Whether you’re early in your career or bringing years of experience, you’re motivated to continue learning, growing, and contributing to a collaborative team. You’re comfortable (or eager to become comfortable) managing wellness, preventive care, and sick/urgent cases, and you bring a thoughtful, team‑first approach to patient care. You value mentorship, communication, and a positive work environment where you can develop your skills and confidence. What You Bring Interest or experience in small animal medicine (dogs & cats) Comfort with or desire to learn wellness exams, preventive care, and sick visits Interest in primary care surgery (spay/neuter, dentistry, soft tissue procedures) Strong communication skills and a willingness to build client trust Ability to collaborate across multiple hospital teams Commitment to maintaining AAHA standards of care About Hickory Small Animal Hospital Hickory Small Animal Hospital operates two well‑established, AAHA‑accredited small animal general practices in Ponchatoula and Independence, serving a broad region across Tangipahoa and Livingston Parishes. Our hospitals are known for delivering high‑quality veterinary care, building strong client relationships, and maintaining advanced medical standards. Across both locations, you’ll experience a diverse case mix, including wellness and preventive care, vaccinations, dentistry, diagnostics, soft tissue surgery, grooming, and boarding, allowing you to practice comprehensive medicine at your own pace and comfort level. Our veterinarians are supported by collaborative, experienced teams and benefit from a culture that emphasizes mentorship, growth, flexibility, and teamwork. What Sets Us Apart Two AAHA‑accredited hospitals with strong reputations in southeast Louisiana Broad caseload including wellness care, sick visits, surgery, dentistry, and diagnostics Supportive environment with mentorship opportunities for new graduates Opportunity to work across two collaborative, team‑oriented locations Established, loyal client base across multiple communities Commitment to high medical standards and continuous improvement Backing of Thrive Pet Healthcare with access to tools, resources, and career development Locations Ponchatoula Location: Our Ponchatoula hospital is a high‑performing, team‑driven practice with a tenured staff and a strong reputation across Ponchatoula, Hammond, and Springfield. Since opening in 2009, we’ve continued to grow by investing in our people, technology, and medical protocols while maintaining a collaborative, positive culture. Independence Location: Our Independence hospital is a Feline‑Friendly certified, AAHA‑accredited practice and the first of its kind in the region. We serve clients across Independence, Tangipahoa Parish, Livingston Parish, Loranger, Montpellier, and Amite City, offering primary care and wellness services in a welcoming, community‑focused environment. Consistent Scheduling Monday-Friday: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM Saturday: 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM Benefits – Our Care In Action Thrive offers a suite of benefits to support team members’ emotional, physical, professional, and financial wellbeing. In addition to our health and life insurance, and short‑ and long‑term disability plans, we offer eligible team members: Competitive pay 401(k) with employer match Mental health resources, including easy access to therapy through Lyra Health Paid parental leave Purr‑ental leave for when you adopt a pet Subsidized backup childcare and elder care Expert advice, support and network discounts for fertility and family planning FREE CE courses Pet perks and veterinary service discounts Student loan support tools and assistance *Some benefits shown are only for full‑time team members who work 30 hours or more per week. Certain benefits may be subject to waiting periods or length of service requirements. Experience & Skills Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM / VMD) or equivalent degree required State Veterinary Board License and must be in good standing for the state in which they intend to be hired, prior to their start date Active DEA license or DEA licensure eligible Contact To learn more about this opportunity, apply today, or reach out to us at View email address on click.appcast.io. #J-18808-Ljbffr Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education