Associate Veterinarian (Spay/Neuter and Wellness)

Description

Position Title:   Associate Veterinarian (Spay/Neuter and Wellness) – Cornerstone Animal Center

Location:   Visalia, CA  

Classification:   Exempt

Status:  Full-time or Part-time

Salary Range: $165,000 - $220,000 annual

Date:  May 2026

Cornerstone Animal Center is a nonprofit organization created to bridge the gap between our community and essential veterinary care for the pets they love. Focused on spay/neuter, preventative vaccination, and basic wellness care, Cornerstone aims to make access to care affordable and attainable for those who need it most.

We believe that every pet guardian deserves access to quality veterinary care, and that the key to improving the lives of pets and their people starts with high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter. Cornerstone is looking for a full- or part-time veterinarian to join our mission. The ideal candidate is passionate about providing access to care in a compassionate, culturally competent and non-judgmental manner and understands/isn’t afraid to offer incremental care. This position is primarily focused on performing spay/neuter surgeries (25+ per shift) for client-owned and shelter/rescue owned animals, and oversight of vaccine clinic technician appointments. Spay/neuter experience is a plus, but we would love to train the right candidate. This position offers great work/life balance with a 4-day workweek and no on-call shifts or extensive client interaction required.

What you’ll love about working here 

• Four 10-hour days for predictable scheduling and real work–life balance 
• The ability to offer financial assistance, and low cost options, helping pets receive care they otherwise couldn’t access 
• A collaborative, collegial team with strong camaraderie 
• Comprehensive benefits including PTO, medical/dental/vision, retirement plan, and  CE support

What we’re looking for 

• DVM (or equivalent) from an AVMA-accredited program 
• California veterinary license (or ability to obtain) and DEA registration (or ability to obtain) 
• A collaborative clinician committed to compassionate, accessible care and continuous improvement and learning 

Why Cornerstone? 

 Here, you can practice medicine with heart, without the pressure, and go home knowing your work truly mattered—to your patients, your clients, and your community. 

Essential Duties and Functions:  

Veterinary Medical Care  

·       Assess animals pre- and post-operatively to ensure appropriate candidacy for surgery and healing 

·       Perform 25+ high quality spay/neuter surgical procedures daily for public-owned and shelter animals. 

·       Diagnose and treat post-surgical medical complications of outpatient animals 

·       Follow and support all organizational and medical protocols 

·       Adhere to aseptic/sterile techniques throughout surgical process 

·       Must be able to work efficiently and effectively in a fast-paced environment 

·       Comply with all laws pertaining to controlled and prescription drugs.. 

·       Triage and refer cases that do not fall within the clinic’s parameters of care as appropriate. 

·       Provide medical oversight of vaccination clinics.

·       Evaluate and treat PetSmart store animals for illness or injury, when time and comfort level allow.

·       Provide administrative oversight of approval of clients wishing to purchase therapeutic diets through PetSmart. Cornerstone does not issue or write the prescriptions, just verifies that they are legitimate and issues a purchase approval card.

Administrative Duties 

·       Keep thorough and accurate medical records in compliance with all laws/regulations and collaborate with partner shelter administrative staff to ensure proper collection of data 

Open Communication 

·       Facilitate good working relationships through professional demeanor, teamwork and collaboration 

·       Facilitate open, direct communication with all colleagues and clients. 

Safety 

·       Ensure a safe work environment; following all safety guidelines and modeling safe work practices 

·       Take immediate action to address any safety concerns that could put a staff member, volunteer, client, animal, or the organization at risk 

·       Maintain a clean, healthy, and sanitary work area; follow all pest and rodent control protocols 

·       Participate in keeping the work environment clean and well-maintained 

Volunteers

·       Work cooperatively with all volunteers and recognize the talent and commitment they bring to the mission.

Diversity & Inclusiveness 

·       Work effectively with individuals and colleagues from diverse communities and cultures 

Physical Requirements and Work Environment: 

The physical requirements described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the job's essential functions.  

·       Regular standing, bending, stooping and crouching while seeing patients and performing surgery 

·       Intermittent sitting at computer stations and operation of electronic equipment 

·       Regularly moves about the facility to coordinate work 

·       Frequent lifting, carrying animals weighing up to 50 pounds. Lifting and carrying animals > 50lbs. with assistance

·       Exposure to disinfectant solutions when in kennel area 

·       Subject to animal bites and scratches while handling animals 

·       Consistent exposure to animals in the workplace and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available 

Reporting Relationships and Contacts: 

·       Reports to the Executive Director of Cornerstone Animal Center.

·       Reports to the Board of Directors of Cornerstone Animal Center in specified situations.

 Education and Experience: 

·       Graduated from an accredited veterinary medical college – DVM or equivalent 

·       Licensed to practice in the State of California 

·       Some experience in HQHVSN desired

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

·       Commitment to the mission, values, goals, and success of Cornerstone Animal Center 

·       Demonstrated aptitude in clinical medicine and surgery 

·       Demonstrated success in working with a diverse team of professionals, skilled in managing varied relationships and successful at facilitating collaboration and cooperation 

·       Knowledge of methods and means of dealing with human behavior situations in a variety of business circumstances 

·       Proficient in effective written and oral communication within a varied range of audiences and settings 

·       Ability to mediate conflicts and give and receive feedback 

·       Ability to delegate responsibility, achieve and measure results with team members 

·       Commitment to practice excellent quality medicine and uphold the veterinary code of ethics 

Salary and Benefits: 

Salary based on skills and experience. Salary Range: $165,000 - $220,000

Eligible for the following benefits: You will be covered by the organization’s Worker’s Compensation and Professional Liability insurance; 401k, Paid Time Off, Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance, four-day work week with no required weekend shifts.

Cornerstone Animal Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This job description reflects the assignment of essential functions, and does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Cornerstone Animal Center is an at-will employer and may conduct pre-employment background checks and drug screening depending on the role. 

How to Apply

Apply on our website at: Cornerstone Animal Center- Careers Page

or email Cassie Heffington, Executive Director, for more information at: cheffington@cornerstoneac.org