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Abbey Animal Hospital: Where Excellent Medicine Meets Genuine Work-Life Balance

Virginia Beach, VA
Full-Time Associate Veterinarian | 4-Day Work Week

We're Building Something Different

Abbey Animal Hospital is a privately-owned practice in Virginia Beach that's been built on a simple but powerful belief: veterinarians practice their best medicine when they're supported, valued, and given true clinical autonomy.

We're not a corporate clinic trying to maximize production. We're not a revolving door of burned-out veterinarians. We're a team of professionals who genuinely care about excellent patient care, about each other, and about creating a workplace where you can thrive—not just survive.

Our 4-Day Work Week (That's Actually Real)

We offer a genuine 4-day work week because we believe you need time to be a person, not just a veterinarian.

Destiny, one of our technicians, hasn't had a time-off request rejected in four years. We don't just say we value work-life balance—we prove it. Need fewer hours during a particularly busy season of life? We honor those requests. Weddings, family obligations, personal health—life happens, and we support you through it.

Our schedule allows you time to decompress, pursue hobbies, spend time with family, or simply rest. Because when you're rested and fulfilled outside of work, you bring your best self to your patients.

A Culture You'll Actually Want to Be Part Of

We've built a team culture based on genuine kindness and mutual support—not corporate-mandated team building exercises.

When team members face challenges, we show up with encouragement cards and care packages. When Destiny had surgery, she received genuine support from colleagues who truly care about her wellbeing. This is how we naturally treat our work family.

The result? Low turnover, long-term team members, and an environment where people actually enjoy coming to work. We believe this kind of culture doesn't just make work more pleasant—it makes the medicine better.

Clinical Autonomy and Excellent Medicine

Dr. Knopp, our owner-veterinarian, believes in providing high-level care while respecting both client and staff time. We give you the tools, time, and clinical freedom to practice medicine the way you were trained.

You won't face pressure to:

• Rush through appointments to hit production quotas
• Upsell unnecessary services
• Cut corners on diagnostics or treatment plans
• Compromise your medical judgment for metrics

Instead, we provide:

• Time to build relationships with clients and really listen
• Support for your medical decisions and treatment recommendations
• Freedom to pursue special interests within veterinary medicine
• An environment where quality of care matters more than quantity of transactions

Mentorship That Develops Your Career

Dr. Knopp loves to teach and mentor—it's a genuine passion, not a line in a job posting. Dr. Vallier, who has worked at many hospitals, says Abbey is the best place she's ever practiced because of the professional freedom and genuine support for development.

We've mentored over a dozen veterinarians and veterinary students over the years. We currently support six veterinary assistants through technician school. Your growth isn't just tolerated—it's actively encouraged and financially supported.

Whether you're a new graduate seeking strong mentorship or an experienced veterinarian wanting to expand into new areas, we invest in your continued education. Want to get better at ultrasound? Dr. Knopp will teach you. Interested in advanced orthopedic procedures? We'll help you develop those skills. Passionate about exotic medicine? We'll support you in becoming our go-to doctor.

Advanced Capabilities to Support Your Best Work

Our 6,000 square foot facility was completely remodeled to provide you with the tools to practice excellent medicine:

• Abdominal and cardiac ultrasound - Dr. Knopp is skilled at interpretation and loves to teach
• Endoscopy - We're a local referral center trusted by other veterinarians
• Advanced orthopedic surgeries including TPO, TGA, and extracapsular repairs (we'll teach you if you're interested)
• Surgical lasers
• Complete dental suite
• In-house blood chemistry and diagnostics
• Exotic medicine capabilities

We have five exam rooms and dedicated surgical and dental suites. Other veterinarians refer complex cases to us because they trust our equipment and expertise—and we want you to be part of that trusted team.

Compensation and Benefits That Reflect Your Value

• Compensation: $120,000 - $180,000 based on experience
• Signing Bonus: $10,000
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Professional Support: Liability coverage, CE allowance, licensing fees, DEA fees covered
• Time Off: Flexible PTO that you can actually use
• Unique Perks: Employee of the pay period bonus, pet care discounts, free doggy daycare, and you can bring your dogs to work

Virginia Beach: Where You'll Want to Live

Beautiful coastal living with miles of beaches, great schools, low crime rates, and a reasonable cost of living. You can be at the ocean in minutes, enjoy a vibrant restaurant scene, and experience four seasons without brutal winters.

It's the kind of place where you can actually build a life—which matters when you're not spending every waking hour at work.

Who Thrives at Abbey Animal Hospital? You might be a great fit if you:

• Value genuine work-life balance over superficial perks
• Want to practice thorough, thoughtful medicine without production pressure
• Appreciate collaboration and mentorship over competition
• Seek professional growth and continuing education
• Care about being part of a team that genuinely supports each other
• Remember why you became a veterinarian and want to practice that way

You might not be a great fit if you:

• Thrive in high-volume, fast-paced corporate environments
• Prefer working independently without much collaboration
• Are primarily motivated by maximizing income over quality of life
• Don't value ongoing learning and professional development

Ready to Practice the Way You've Always Wanted?

If you're looking for a privately-owned practice where you can provide excellent medicine, grow professionally, and genuinely enjoy your career, we'd love to talk.

Maybe you're early in your career and seeking strong mentorship. Maybe you're burned out from corporate medicine and need to remember why you chose this profession. Maybe you're an experienced doctor looking for clinical freedom and a supportive team. Wherever you are in your career, if this resonates with you, let's have a conversation.

Abbey Animal Hospital is proud to serve Virginia Beach and surrounding areas with the highest level of veterinary medicine and genuinely compassionate care—for pets and their people, and for each other.