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Working at Vetco Total Care: Real Talk from Practicing Veterinarians

Making a career transition in veterinary medicine always comes with questions. If you are coming from private practice, you might wonder if a larger hospital network will limit your clinical voice. If you have worked in other corporate settings, you might worry about production quotas, cookie-cutter treatment plans, and burnout.

At Vetco Total Care, our hospital model is built on trusting doctors to lead. By pairing the operational support, modern diagnostic technology, and dedicated staffing of a national network with complete medical autonomy, our clinicians get the freedom to practice high-quality medicine on their own terms.

To see what practicing here is really like, we asked three practicing clinicians to share their honest experiences on autonomy, culture, and balance.

Do veterinarians have real clinical autonomy at Vetco Total Care?

Leaving independent practice often comes with the fear of losing your clinical voice. For Dr. Mary Nelson, who spent five years in private practice before joining Vetco Total Care three years ago, clinical independence was non-negotiable.

Dr. Nelson hold a black and white cat

"I started at Vetco Total Care as a hospital medical leader after being in a private practice for 5 years. I was unsure how the switch to a corporate practice would be with stories of micromanaging, lack of flexibility, and prioritizing profit over what is in the best interest of a patient.

I am happy to say I still provide a high quality (or even better) of medicine and provide patient care and recommendations based on my own exams and preferences. Clients have control and flexibility of electing from what is recommended at their visit."

-Dr. Mary Nelson, DVM, Hospital Medical Leader (Des Moines, IA)

By keeping clinical recommendations centered on individual patient needs rather than sales targets, doctors are empowered to practice high-level medicine with complete diagnostic and treatment freedom.

How is Vetco Total Care different from other corporate veterinary practices?

Having prior experience in other corporate groups can often leave veterinarians skeptical of hospital support promises. For Dr. Laura Stoeker, stepping into Vetco Total Care proved that not all corporate environments are built the same.

"My biggest hesitation was that Vetco Total Care would be like the other two corporate practices that I worked for previously. The other two corporates were very similar in how the veterinarians were treated and it led to burnout.

I have found VTC to be night and day different from other corporations. The company respects and supports my work-life balance and the quality of care that I want to provide."

-Dr. Laura Stoeker, DVM, Hospital Medical Leader (West Des Moines, IA)

Woman smiling outdoors with two Boston terriers.

Our full-service general practice hospitals are equipped with advanced tools, including Butterfly iQ+ ultrasound, Vetology AI radiograph interpretation, and the VetScan Imagyst platform, giving leaders the diagnostic resources and team backing needed to deliver great medicine without the corporate grind.

What is work-life balance really like for veterinarians at Vetco Total Care?

A sustainable veterinary career depends on having real boundaries outside the clinic doors. For Dr. Santin, the biggest day-to-day difference has been the ability to completely unplug after each shift.

"My work-life balance has vastly improved. When I’m home, I’m home. I don’t have to worry about answering my phone. I get to do fun things and have actual hobbies."

With no on-call duties, no overnight emergency shifts, open time off, and no negative accrual, doctors at Vetco Total Care have the schedule predictability they need to thrive both inside and outside the hospital.

Why are veterinarians choosing Vetco Total Care?

When you talk to clinicians who made the switch to Vetco Total Care, one clear theme emerges: you do not have to compromise your clinical voice or sacrifice your personal life to have the support of a strong hospital network.

Whether you are looking to step into hospital medical leadership or searching for a more sustainable clinical home, practicing here means having:

      • True Clinical Autonomy: You make diagnostic, surgical, and therapeutic decisions based on your own exams and judgment, guided by what is best for the patient, never corporate formulas or sales quotas.
      • Real Work-Life Boundaries: Structured shifts with zero after-hours on-call duties, no emergency overnights, and no negative accrual. When your shift ends, your time is truly your own.
      • Modern Diagnostic Technology: Full-service hospital suites equipped with Butterfly iQ+ ultrasound, Vetology AI radiograph interpretation, and the VetScan Imagyst platform to support thorough patient care.
      • A Culture Focused on Well-Being: A collaborative, supportive practice environment designed from the ground up to prevent burnout and help you build a lasting veterinary career.

Why Our Veterinary Partners Choose Us

Find an Environment Built Around You

Veterinary medicine is demanding, but your hospital should be a place where you feel trusted, valued and energized; both in the exam room and when you clock out for the day.

If you are ready for a practice model that puts patient care and doctor well-being first, we would love to connect.

Explore everything that Vetco Total Care has to offer.

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