Associate Veterinarian

Benefits:

401(k) matching

Bonus based on performance

Dental insurance

Employee discounts

Health insurance

Paid time off

Profit sharing

Training & development

Vision insurance

Competitive salary

Flexible schedule

WE HAVE BUILT A BRAND NEW, BEAUTIFUL NEW CLINIC

And we are looking for that Rockstar Veterinarian to complement our culture and help us enjoy the journey in our new facility.

Dear Applicant,

My name is Dr. Dehna Shaffer. I have been the owner of Shaffer Veterinary Services since 2006. The practice has certainly evolved greatly since then. You see, I started off mobile in the very beginning. I sat on my clients’ couches and developed extremely personal bonds with them. Many are still my clients today.

I then was given an opportunity, in 2010, to take over a veterinary clinic that was quite honestly broken and bankrupt. I was told many times that Crowley would not support another veterinary clinic. None the less, I took over this lease hold that was never supposed to be a vet clinic, and I worked hard to build it into a trusted name in the Crowley community.

In the following years, we built the practice, cultivated our culture, and because a soft place to land for employees and clients alike. While many of our area’s colleges sold to corporate entities and have gone through those growing pain associated with the corporate transition, we continued steady growth toward a profitable and successful practice with just one doctor. I think there is a lot to be said for independent owners that can survive and flourish in the new corporate veterinarian environment and maybe I’m just a little proud of how well we have done.

I have always had the mindset that this clinic is my ministry. I am the “other” family doctor. As many times as I celebrate with a new little puppy and kitten, I see a family pet coming through my door with a human attached and both need healing and comfort.

Several years ago, it became very clear to me that we could not continue to keep growing in the space we were in. That led to the construction of our new clinic just 1.7 miles from the original Shaffer Veterinary Hospital. It is theoretically the southern border of Fort Worth, but we have a Burleson zip code, Burleson City limits a block behind us, and we can throw a rock out of the parking lot on two side and hit Crowley.

It is really a neat position to be in. I grew up in Fort Worth and absolutely love this town with it’s laid-back vibe and culture. For those of you who think Dallas and Fort Worth are the same town, they are not. Dallis is fast paced and busy and over an hour away. Fort Worth is way cooler and has a slower pace. Burleson and Crowley used to be the little towns that you moved to if you still wanted the rural feel, but close enough to the big city. All three towns have grown, and Burleson especially is becoming a hub for the surrounding communities with all the restaurants, hospitals, schools, shopping, and growing housing market that one could have for easy living.

I have been in the new clinic for a few months now. I have a full schedule every day and we are still turning people away. I can acutely see where we need to add another veterinarian and the added services that another veterinarian can provide.

I envision someone that has some experience under their belt, but I am not opposed to new doctors. I can see someone that can manage an exam room well, has competent surgical and medical skills, who wants to learn constantly, and someone who could possibly carve out their own niche within my practice doing the aspects of veterinary medicine that they love. I am looking for someone with leadership skills, who can contribute positively to our culture and family, and is just as excited as I am to see how we can make this little family practice in a beautiful new building grow.

You may be asking what a work week looks like. I honestly must admit, I used to be “that” vet that took all the walk-ins and emergencies and did surgery at midnight. But a lot changed in 2020 and that included my clinic. Our area has at least 5 emergency clinics in drivable distance that we can lean on. We also have multiple specialists in Fort Worth or Dallas to refer to. In 2020, I found that my time was needed in the exam room and not doing spays, neuters and being in surgery 3 hours per day. That is one area of service I am hoping to revitalize with a new associate. All of this is to say, I, myself am still learning that there must be a work-life balance, and we have creatively learned to use the resources around us to make work a little easier. How much you work is extremely negotiable as compensation and benefits are. I am hoping that we can not only grow this practice but meet our goals for our satisfying careers and flourishing families.

I wanted to take an opportunity to introduce myself because for so many years Shaffer Veterinary Hospital has been just me. My name is on the sign after all; however, it is entering a new phase now and I am looking for the right person to become a part of this family and help meet the needs of this community. I have been on an exciting ride for the last few years of my career, and I am so excited to see what else is in store. If you are interested in the least bit, I encourage you to reach out. Let’s have a conversation. Let’s see if we can meet some of your mutual goals and I would love to show off the new clinic.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Dehna L. Shaffer, DVM