Veterinarian
Listed compensation
$125k-$175k
The week · per this posting · Monday – Friday4-day week
Weekend work is also flagged as required; confirm which days and how often.
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
Lakeland Veterinary Hospital Is Hiring An
Associate Veterinarian to provide comprehensive medical, surgical, and dental care to a variety of animal patients.
Address: 7372 Woida Rd N Baxter, MN 56425
What to Expect
- Competitive compensation: (ProSal) from $125K-$175K– no negative accrual
- Bonus: Sign-on bonus & relocation assistance available
- Schedule: 4-day workweek (7:30am – 5:00pm)
Hours of Operation
- Monday - Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Saturday & Sunday: Closed
As you join our mission to provide the highest level of veterinary care, expect to be supported in your work and personal life with:
- 4:1 Staff-to-Doctor Ratio: you’ll have support from experienced staff (including 3 CVT’s) that are highly utilized, allowing you to focus on what you do best: practicing medicine!
- All the benefits you deserve—health, dental, vision, retirement—plus: Comprehensive Benefits Package, which includes sign-on bonus, relocation assistance, 100% paid short-term disability, 401k with 3.5% employer match, Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Paid time off (PTO): Enjoy generous time off with up to 5 weeks of PTO each year, plus additional paid CE days. Take the time you need to rest, recharge, and invest in your growth.
- Mentorship: We welcome all experience levels to apply – whether you’re looking to expand your skills in surgery, dentistry, or explore new areas of interest, we’ll support your growth every step of the way. Dr. Deb is passionate about teaching and mentoring, and we are dedicated to helping you succeed in your career.
- Future buy-in opportunities and leadership/ownership pathway: Elevate your career through our buy-in partnership program, allowing you to gain ownership benefits while maintaining clinical autonomy.
About Lakeland Veterinary Hospital
For more than 40 years, Lakeland Veterinary Hospital has proudly served the Brainerd Lakes Region, caring for pets and the people who love them across generations. Since 2000, our purpose-built facility—designed by local architects specifically as a modern veterinary practice—has been our home base.
We are proud to be an AAHA-Accredited hospital, a reflection of our commitment to the highest standards of veterinary care. Our dedication to excellence has also been recognized by our community—we’ve been voted “Best Veterinary Clinic” and “Best Grooming” in the Brainerd Lakes Best of Competition.
Our hospital is fully equipped with modern, cutting-edge technology, including:
- Digital X-ray & digital dental X-ray, ultrasound, therapy laser for advanced treatment options
- In-house IDEXX laboratory for rapid diagnostics
- Cornerstone paperless PMS system with tablets for patient care
- Scribble Vet AI: Streamline your workflow with AI-assisted SOAP note documentation for faster, more efficient record keeping.
Meet Our Hospital Director & Owner – Dr. Deb Piepgras: A Brainerd native, Dr.
Deb Piepgras is the proud owner of Lakeland Veterinary Hospital. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Minnesota in 2000 and began her career at Lakeland the same year. Since then, she has dedicated her work to caring for animals, with a special passion for the challenge of diagnosing and treating sick or injured pets who cannot tell us what’s wrong.
At home, Dr. Piepgras shares life with her husband, their Long-haired Miniature Dachshund, Arya, their English Setter, Denali, and their spirited cat, Soul.
With their children grown, she and her husband are embracing the joys of being empty nesters.
Outside the hospital, Dr. Piepgras can often be found tending her many gardens, quilting, reading, camping, fishing, and taking full advantage of the lakes and trails the Brainerd area has to offer. Looking ahead, she is excited to spend more time traveling and exploring new places.
Our Mission
We strive to provide the highest quality healthcare to our patients, and while doing so, provide service to our clients that exceeds their expectations.
About The Brainerd Lakes Area
Nestled in central Minnesota, the Brainerd Lakes Area is known for its stunning scenery, more than 500 lakes, and year-round outdoor recreation. From boating, fishing, and hiking in the summer to skiing, snowmobiling, and cozy cabin getaways in the winter, there’s something for everyone. The area also offers a vibrant community with local shops, restaurants, and family-friendly events, making it a wonderful place to live, work, and play.
Requirements
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or VMD degree from an accredited institution
- Valid veterinary license in the state of Minnesota
We’d love to chat with you about our clinic and the community we serve. Connect with us today—we can’t wait to meet you!
Check out our Website
& Instagram!
We are dedicated to establishing a culture that celebrates all forms of diversity and allows us to be an inclusive service provider in this community.
Key Responsibilities
Provide comprehensive medical, surgical, and dental care to a variety of animal patients. Support the mission to deliver the highest level of veterinary care.
Qualifications
- Education
- Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Key Skills
Veterinary Medicine Career Context
The cost-of-living index for Minnesota is 98.6 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$150k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $152k in an average-cost state. 63.4% of Minnesota clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Of the 50 active Veterinary Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 90% have no call, 96% require no weekends.
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 6.2 / 10 · above average in veterinary medicine | ranked against 3,144 Veterinary Medicine listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Listed pay | $125k–$175k | Veterinary Medicine median $125k (middle half $119k–$131k)73 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$152k in purchasing power | Minnesota index 98.6 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Veterinary Medicine listings in Minnesota | 58 active | 3,170 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 90% no call · 96% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | sign-on bonus | US healthcare professional listings: 43% state a sign-on bonus (median $50k) · 9% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Veterinary Medicine listings | 936 in the last 30 days | 552 the 30 days before (+70%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Veterinary Medicine pay trend | +3.7% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Veterinarian at Lakeland Veterinary Hospital a 6.2 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Veterinary Medicine — ranked against 3,144 active Veterinary Medicine listings on WeekdayDoc.
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