Associate Veterinarian- Den Herder Veterinary Hospital- Waterloo IA

You will find a professional home at Den Herder Veterinary Hospital, a premier AAHA-accredited practice in Waterloo. With an impressive 4.8-star Google rating, our hospital is recognized for delivering a superior standard of medical care. We offer a comprehensive suite of services ranging from advanced surgery and internal medicine to exotics and urgent care. By joining our team, you are aligning yourself with a practice that values clinical excellence and constant innovation. Your career will find the perfect environment to grow as you collaborate with teammates who are passionate about mentorship. We provide the resources you need to succeed, whether you are looking to sharpen your surgical skills or expand your diagnostic knowledge. Our collaborative culture ensures that you are part of a forward-thinking collective that celebrates professional milestones. This is an ideal setting for any veterinary professional eager to make a meaningful impact. Beyond the clinic, Waterloo offers an exceptional quality of life. Nestled in the Cedar Valley, the city provides a welcoming atmosphere with a low cost of living and short commute times. From scenic trails to the revitalized downtown riverfront, there is always something to explore. You can achieve a genuine work-life balance here, enjoying the charm of a close-knit community while having access to the diverse cultural opportunities of a growing area.

Additional Hospital Information & Who We are Looking For: 

• Interest In: Small-animal general practice, preventative care, wellness exams, surgery, dentistry, senior pet care, urgent care cases, end-of-life care, and compassionate client communication. Exposure to advanced diagnostics including imaging (CT/MRI through referral collaboration), chemotherapy support, and exotic pet care is a plus.

• New Graduate or Experienced DVMs: Whether you're a new graduate looking for a strong foundation or an experienced veterinarian seeking your next opportunity , we'd love to connect. We recognize that every veterinarian has different career and lifestyle goals, which is why we're open to discussing full-time or part-time opportunities and creating a schedule that works for both you and our team.

  New graduates will benefit from our well-developed, structured one-year mentorship program . Your schedule will intentionally overlap with your dedicated Clinical Mentor , so you'll never feel like you're navigating cases alone. Beyond day-to-day clinical guidance, you'll participate in regular mentor meetings, goal-setting workshops, and soft-skill coaching focused on client communication and professional development.

  Before your first day in practice, you'll have opportunities to build confidence through hands-on surgical and dental wet labs . Our 5-day Surgical Mentorship Program provides individualized learning in a small-group setting, where participants typically perform 20–40 surgeries under the guidance of experienced mentors. You'll also attend a 2-day Dental Wet Lab , led by one of our board-certified dental specialists, to build confidence in foundational dentistry skills before entering practice.

  We believe a new graduate would bring fresh energy, curiosity, and new perspectives to our already collaborative team. You'll be surrounded by experienced professionals who genuinely enjoy mentoring, teaching, and celebrating each milestone as you build confidence in your first years of practice.

  Experienced veterinarians will enjoy the autonomy, collaboration, and support to continue growing their clinical interests because learning doesn't stop after graduation. In addition to generous continuing education benefits , you'll have access to our Clinical Tracks Program , offering complimentary RACE-approved CE led by our own board-certified veterinary specialists. Whether your passion is surgery, dentistry, internal medicine, exotics, leadership, or another area of veterinary medicine, we'll help you continue developing the skills and interests that matter most to you.

  Have a special interest? Let's talk about how we can help make it a larger part of your everyday practice.

• Supportive, Experienced Technical Staff: Dedicated and knowledgeable support team focused on patient care, client education, anesthesia support, laboratory diagnostics, dentistry, and smooth appointment flow — allowing doctors to focus on medicine while delivering an excellent client experience.
• Layout Specifics: Well-equipped, AAHA-accredited facility featuring multiple exam rooms, a dedicated surgery suite, full dental equipment, in-house diagnostics, radiology, advanced monitoring, and a thoughtfully designed treatment area to promote efficiency and low-stress visits.
• Collaborative Team Environment: Join a team that values compassion, communication, and community involvement. Doctors support one another, share knowledge, and work together to provide “peace of mind” care for both pets and their families.
• Patient Mix: Primarily small-animal general practice seeing dogs and cats, with the added opportunity to work with a well-established exotic caseload for veterinarians who have a strong interest in exotics. While experience or interest in exotics is not required , the hospital offers exposure to a wide variety of exotic species for doctors who are excited to expand or utilize that skill set.
  • You do have an interest in exotics? We see small animals and a robust exotic caseload. Our team has expertise with birds, ferrets, rabbits, chinchillas, rats, mice, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, raccoons, skunks, snakes, a variety of lizards (including chameleons, bearded dragons, and iguanas), turtles, tortoises, frogs, and hedgehogs. See more here (even deer!):  

Website:  

Location : 4041 Hurst Dr, Waterloo, IA 50701

Apply today for immediate consideration! If you have the drive, passion, and medical skills we’re looking for, we’d love to meet you. For confidential consideration, please send your resume to Katie Shaffer at:  View email address on tracking.magellano.ai

All applications and conversations are upheld with the utmost discretion and professionalism.

Why Waterloo, IA?

Located in northeast Iowa, Waterloo offers the perfect balance of small-city charm and everyday convenience . The area features an affordable cost of living, short commutes, and a strong sense of community, making it an ideal place to put down roots. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy nearby parks, trails, and river access, while the city also offers local restaurants, breweries, arts and culture, and family-friendly activities. Did you know we have a theme park AND a waterpark in Waterloo? With easy access to larger metro areas like Cedar Falls and reasonable drives to Des Moines, Iowa City, and Minneapolis, Waterloo provides a comfortable lifestyle without the stress or expense of a major city.

Great resource regarding living and working in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area:

What Your Day-to-Day Looks Like

• Build Lasting Relationships: Connect with clients and their pets, becoming their trusted partner in a pet's lifelong health.
• Practice Your Best Medicine: From diagnosis to treatment, you'll lead patient care with the freedom to uphold the highest standards.
• Educate and Empower: Clearly communicate findings and treatment plans, empowering clients to make informed decisions.
• Collaborate and Grow: Work alongside a supportive paraprofessional team, contributing to a positive hospital culture.

Who We're Looking For

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree.
• A valid state license and in good standing to practice.
• A collaborative spirit and a dedication to practicing the highest standard of medicine.
• Excellent communication skills with a positive, friendly attitude.

How You're Supported

As part of the Mission Pet Health family, you get the autonomy of a local practice backed by the comprehensive benefits and resources of a larger network. The focus is on investing in you, so you can focus on what you love.

Generous Compensation

Competitive base salary and a monthly production bonus with no negative accrual .

Total Wellbeing

Comprehensive coverage including Health, Dental, Vision, and more, plus Maternity Leave and 24/7 TeleDoc access.

Financial Health

Plan for your future with a 401k featuring a generous company match, plus Long & Short-Term Disability insurance for peace of mind.

Commitment to Growth

Receive a yearly CE allowance with dedicated paid days off. Grow with leadership tracks and structured mentorship.

The Power of a Network

Tap into a nationwide community of over 20,000 veterinary professionals for collaboration and to explore your unique interests.

Peace of Mind

Company-paid Professional Liability Coverage, so you can focus on what you do best: practicing great medicine.

About Mission Pet Health

Mission Pet Health was founded by veterinarians on the belief that local practices thrive with clinical autonomy, collaboration, and medical excellence. The organization provides world-class support to its 850+ hospital teams on a hyper-local basis so they can focus on what matters most: the medicine, their patients, and their team culture. Learn more at missionpethealth.com .

Driving the award-winning culture are the WAG values – Work Together, Amaze, and Grow . Mission Pet Health is veterinarian-led, people-focused, and on a mission to be the best place to work in veterinary medicine.

EEO Statement: Mission Pet Health is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

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