Western Veterinary Partners logo
Western Veterinary Partners
West Richland, Washington

Associate Veterinarian - Mixed Animal Veterinarian - Companion Animal, Sm

VeterinarianFull-Time

Listed compensation

$120k-$150k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

Associate Veterinarian | Mixed Animal Veterinarian | Companion Animal, Small Mammal & Farm Animal Medicine | DVM/VMD

Paws, Claws & Hooves Veterinary Center

West Richland, Washington

West Richland is one of the most desirable communities in Washington's Tri-Cities region, offering over 300 days of sunshine each year, affordable living, excellent schools, and endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. Nestled along the Yakima River and surrounded by vineyards, orchards, and open farmland, West Richland blends small-town charm with easy access to the amenities of Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco.

Located near the renowned Red Mountain AVA wine region, residents enjoy wineries, hiking, boating, horseback riding, fishing, and scenic drives throughout Eastern Washington. Whether you're looking for outdoor adventure, a strong sense of community, or simply more balance in your day-to-day life, West Richland offers an exceptional quality of life.

Build the Veterinary Career You've Always Wanted

Paws, Claws & Hooves Veterinary Center is seeking a full-time or part-time Associate Veterinarian (DVM/VMD) to join our established, multi-doctor mixed animal veterinary practice.

This opportunity is ideal for a veterinarian who values professional autonomy, collaborative medicine, and the ability to shape their caseload around their interests.

Whether you enjoy companion animal medicine and surgery, preventive care, internal medicine, dentistry, small mammal medicine, small ruminants, or mixed animal practice, we'll work with you to build a role that aligns with your experience, strengths, and long-term career goals.

We are particularly interested in speaking with experienced veterinarians who are looking for a long-term home where they can practice high-quality medicine, develop lasting client relationships, and enjoy the support of a collaborative veterinary team.

A Rare Mixed Animal Opportunity

  • True mixed animal practices are becoming increasingly difficult to find.
  • At Paws, Claws & Hooves Veterinary Center, you'll have the opportunity to work with a diverse patient population while building a caseload that reflects your interests and expertise.
  • Companion Animal Medicine & Surgery
  • Wellness and preventive care
  • Vaccinations and annual health exams
  • Internal medicine
  • Diagnostic workups
  • Soft tissue surgery
  • Veterinary dentistry
  • Senior pet care
  • Urgent care and same-day appointments
  • Client education and long-term wellness planning
  • Small Mammal, Farm Animal & Small Ruminant Opportunities
  • Depending on your interests and experience, opportunities may include:
  • Small mammal medicine
  • Rabbit care
  • Guinea pig and pocket pet medicine
  • Small ruminant medicine
  • Farm animal care
  • Hobby farm consultations
  • Preventive herd health services

Community Outreach and Education

This flexibility allows veterinarians to pursue the areas of medicine they enjoy most while maintaining a varied and rewarding caseload.

Work Alongside a Collaborative Medical Director

Paws, Claws & Hooves Veterinary Center is led by Medical Director Dr. Mary McKinney, who is passionate about building a positive, supportive culture where veterinarians can thrive professionally while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Dr. McKinney values collaboration, open communication, and professional growth. She empowers veterinarians to practice medicine in a way that reflects their individual strengths while fostering an environment where doctors can share ideas, discuss cases, and continue learning throughout their careers.

In addition to her experience in mixed animal medicine, Dr. McKinney is certified in veterinary acupuncture and brings a progressive, well-rounded approach to patient care. Experienced veterinarians will appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with a Medical Director who values medical autonomy, clinical excellence, and lifelong learning.

Why Veterinarians Choose Paws, Claws & Hooves

We are a well-established, multi-doctor, mixed animal practice with a lively, inclusive, and family-oriented culture. Our team is known for working collaboratively, communicating openly, and supporting one another both professionally and personally.

Our clients trust our recommendations and are deeply committed to the health and wellbeing of their animals, allowing our doctors to practice high-quality medicine while building meaningful, long-term relationships. Whether your passion is surgery, dentistry, internal medicine, preventive care, or mixed animal medicine, you'll find a hospital that supports you in practicing at the top of your abilities.

We Are Proud of Our

  • Established and respected community reputation
  • Multi-doctor collaborative environment
  • Diverse caseload and professional flexibility
  • Loyal, engaged client base
  • Experienced support team
  • Positive, low-drama hospital culture
  • Strong focus on teamwork and communication
  • Commitment to work-life balance
  • Opportunities for continued professional growth

Hospital Features

Our modern, clean, and well-equipped facility is designed to support efficient, high-quality veterinary medicine.

Highlights Include

  • Dedicated surgical suite
  • Separate dental suite
  • Modern anesthetic monitoring equipment
  • Digital diagnostic capabilities
  • Spacious treatment areas
  • Experienced veterinary support staff
  • Efficient workflows that allow doctors to focus on patient care

Whether you love surgery and dentistry or prefer to focus on general practice and internal medicine, you'll have the tools, support, and client demand to build a rewarding caseload.

Compensation & Benefits

Our Investment in You Includes

  • Competitive base salary plus production and profit-sharing opportunities
  • Generous paid time off
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) options
  • Continuing education allowance plus CE days
  • Paid veterinary license renewal fees
  • Paid professional membership dues
  • AVMA PLIT coverage
  • Employee pet care discounts
  • Professional development support
  • Flexible scheduling options

Qualifications

Required

  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or VMD degree from an AVMA-accredited college of veterinary medicine (or equivalent certification for international graduates)
  • Active Washington veterinary license in good standing, or ability to obtain licensure prior to start date
  • Successful completion of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE)
  • Strong communication and client relationship-building skills
  • Commitment to practicing high-quality, evidence-based veterinary medicine
  • Ability to collaborate effectively within a team-oriented environment

Preferred

  • 3+ years of experience in companion animal medicine, mixed animal practice, general practice veterinary medicine, livestock medicine, or small mammal medicine
  • Experience performing routine soft tissue surgery and veterinary dentistry
  • Interest in internal medicine, preventive care, diagnostics, or urgent care
  • Ability to manage medical and surgical cases independently
  • Desire to contribute to a positive hospital culture and collaborative medical team
  • Live Your Best, Balanced Life in West Richland

Arguably the most desirable community in the Tri-Cities region, West Richland offers a unique blend of urban convenience and rural beauty. Surrounded by wineries, agricultural landscapes, and outdoor recreation opportunities, it's a place where veterinarians can build a fulfilling career without sacrificing quality of life.

Join a Practice Where Variety, Autonomy, and Community Still Exist

At Paws, Claws & Hooves Veterinary Center, you'll find something increasingly rare in veterinary medicine: the opportunity to build a career around your interests while working alongside a supportive team that genuinely enjoys practicing together.

If you're looking for a veterinary hospital where your experience is valued, your professional goals are supported, and your work makes a meaningful impact in the community, we'd love to meet you.

Apply today to learn more about joining Paws, Claws & Hooves Veterinary Center in West Richland, Washington.

Our salary ranges are primarily determined by role, level, and location. The range provided for each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. The salary for this opportunity starts at $110,000+ annually.

Individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

The Company offers competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision benefits, vacation, sick leave, 401(k), and more depending on location. You will be provided more detailed information about compensation and benefits for your specific location.

Where required under applicable law, the company provides eligible employees with paid sick leave, health emergency leave, and similar benefits programs, all in accordance with the requirements of state and local law depending on the location of the practice you support.

The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic. Hiring decisions will be based on merit, qualifications and business needs.

This is a good-faith estimate based on the role's requirements at the time of posting. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

The Company offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include medical, dental, and vision benefits, vacation, sick leave, 401(k), and other benefits depending on role and location. A complete description of benefits available for this position will be provided during the hiring process. Where required under applicable law, Company provides eligible employees with paid

Key Responsibilities

The Associate Veterinarian will provide high-quality medical and surgical care for a diverse caseload of companion, small mammal, and farm animals. They will collaborate with the medical team to develop treatment plans, perform surgeries, and build lasting relationships with clients.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Evidence-based medicineTeam collaboration

Veterinary Medicine Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Washington is 107.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$135k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $126k in an average-cost state. 59.8% of Washington clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 50 active Veterinary Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 80% have no call, 96% require no weekends.

Location & Logistics

Washington has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$135k midpoint, that is roughly $5k–$9k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.

Top Veterinarian Jobs

11 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution11 jobs · 9 employers

3
<$150k
4
$150k
1
$160k
1
$170k
2
$180k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks11 jobs · 9 employers

Sign-on bonus
100%
401k / retirement match
91% this job
CME allowance
82% this job
Relocation assistance
82%
Loan repayment
18%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

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Pure Paws Veterinary Care · New York, New York

$160k-$180k
#2

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Veterinary Practice Partners · New York, New York

$160k-$180k
#3

Associate Veterinarian - Animal Medical Service (Yakima, WA)

$140k-$170k
#4

Veterinarian - Tacoma, WA

$140k-$160k
+ 9 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 2.8
Better work-life than 20% of Veterinary Medicine listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 3,108 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site

Living in West Richland

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$445k≈ 3.7× annual pay
Typical market rent
$2,035/mo≈ 20% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
25 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
100.1
State income tax
None
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Kennewick-Richland, WA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Western Veterinary Partners logo

About Western Veterinary Partners

Veterinary Services
Denver
201-500 employees

Benefits & Perks

Competitive base salary plus production and profit-sharing opportunities
Generous paid time off
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) options
Continuing education allowance plus CE days
Paid veterinary license renewal fees
Paid professional membership dues
AVMA PLIT coverage