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Veterinary Shadowing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Vetcor

Veterinarian - Oakdale , CA

Oakdale, CA · On-site

Orthopedic Surgeon | Oakdale Veterinary Hospital | Oakdale, CA| $30k sign on bonus Join a ... Shadowing and orientation during the first month * Flexible schedules and longer appointment times ...

Vetcor

Veterinarian - Ontario, NY

Ontario, NY · On-site

Dr. Wendy Kurtz, our Chief of Staff, is a certified veterinary mentor * Hands-on mentorship from Dr. Wendy Kurtz and Dr. Tim Vleuten * Structured one-on-one surgical training and shadowing

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Veterinary Shadowing information

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$12

$21

$31

How much do veterinary shadowing jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for veterinary shadowing in the United States is $21.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.79 and $24.76 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the rule of 20 in veterinary medicine?

The rule of 20 in veterinary medicine is a guideline suggesting that a veterinarian should spend approximately 20 minutes on each patient to ensure thorough care and accurate diagnosis. It emphasizes the importance of time management and detailed examination skills in veterinary shadowing and practice.

What do you do when shadowing a vet?

When shadowing a veterinarian, you observe the veterinarian's interactions with animals and clients, assist with basic tasks if permitted, and learn about clinical procedures and animal care. It is important to maintain professionalism, follow safety protocols, and ask questions when appropriate to gain a better understanding of veterinary practices.

What should I expect during a typical day of veterinary shadowing?

During a typical day of veterinary shadowing, you can expect to observe a variety of procedures and client interactions, such as physical exams, diagnostic tests, surgeries, and follow-up appointments. You'll often move between exam rooms, treatment areas, and sometimes even the surgical suite, closely watching how veterinarians and veterinary technicians collaborate as a team. Shadowing also provides opportunities to ask questions and learn about the workflow, communication skills, and problem-solving approaches that are essential in veterinary medicine. While you won't provide hands-on care, your active observation and note-taking will help you better understand the demands and rewards of the profession.

Is a 3.4 GPA bad for vet school?

A 3.4 GPA for veterinary shadowing is generally considered acceptable, as vet schools often look for strong academic records but also value relevant experience and skills. While competitive applicants often have higher GPAs, a 3.4 can still support a strong application if complemented by good veterinary exposure, volunteer work, and strong letters of recommendation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a veterinary shadowing position, and why are they important?

To thrive in a veterinary shadowing position, you need a foundational understanding of animal care, a keen interest in veterinary medicine, and often enrollment in or intent to pursue a related educational program. Familiarity with basic veterinary terminology and observation of practice management or clinical software may be beneficial. Strong soft skills like attentiveness, professionalism, and effective communication help you learn from mentors and interact respectfully with staff and clients. These skills are crucial for making a positive impression, absorbing knowledge efficiently, and preparing for future roles in the veterinary field.

What is the difference between Veterinary Shadowing vs Veterinary Technician?

AspectVeterinary ShadowingVeterinary Technician
Required CredentialsNo formal certification needed; observational experienceLicensed or certified, with specific veterinary technician credentials
Work EnvironmentObserving veterinarians in clinics, hospitals, or labsHands-on clinical work assisting veterinarians and caring for animals
Employer & Industry UsagePre-veterinary students, interns, or volunteersVeterinary clinics, hospitals, animal shelters
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding veterinary careers, gaining experienceGaining technical skills, employment in veterinary settings

Veterinary Shadowing involves observing veterinarians to learn about the profession without direct animal care, ideal for pre-vet students. Veterinary Technicians perform hands-on animal care and require certification. Both roles are essential in veterinary settings but differ in responsibilities and credentials.

What is veterinary shadowing?

Veterinary shadowing is an experience where an individual observes a veterinarian in their daily work to learn about the veterinary profession. During shadowing, participants typically watch how veterinarians interact with animals and clients, perform medical procedures, and manage cases. This opportunity helps aspiring veterinarians gain insight into the field, understand the day-to-day responsibilities, and determine if this career path is right for them. Shadowing is often required or highly recommended for veterinary school applicants.

How to find vet shadowing opportunities?

Veterinary shadowing opportunities can be found by contacting local veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, or shelters to inquire about observation programs. Additionally, networking with veterinary professionals, joining pre-veterinary clubs, and checking online job boards or university career centers can help identify available shadowing positions. Some programs may require a background check or health certifications before participation.
More about Veterinary Shadowing jobs
What cities are hiring for Veterinary Shadowing jobs? Cities with the most Veterinary Shadowing job openings:
What job categories do people searching Veterinary Shadowing jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Veterinary Shadowing jobs are:
Veterinary Shadowing jobs near you
Infographic showing various Veterinary Shadowing job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $45,144 per year, or $21.7 per hour.
Veterinarian

Veterinarian

National Veterinary Associates

Tuscaloosa, AL

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Animal Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama is a busy, 4 doctor veterinary clinic offering excellent medicine with a Fear Free approach.  Our practice has a great reputation with wonderful, well-established clientele and dedicated, enthusiastic staff. We pride ourselves in providing a very high level of client service, communication, and education. 
 We respect your need to cultivate and invest in your life outside of work.  Our doctors work 4 days a week and no on-call.  After hour emergencies are sent to the local Emergency clinic. Our doctors rotate one medical services Saturday a month.
 We welcome both new graduate and experienced doctors to apply.  We are looking for a doctor who is collaborative, passionate, and learning oriented.  Our experienced DVM’s provide mentorship that includes shadowing, case discussion and treatment planning and hands on training in surgery. We are offering a competitive salary with a sign-on bonus! 
 Our Hospital: 
 The hospital is well equipped with ultrasound, direct digital radiology and digital dental radiology, an Ellman radiosurgery unit, therapy laser, IDEXX Catalyst, Procyte, and Sedivue lab machines, and an active doggy daycare to support you in providing excellent care for our patients.  
 We can provide support for your interests in behavior, dentistry, surgery, or exotic medicine. We have several doctors that work with exotics and pocket pets. We would be happy to learn new skills that you may bring as well.   
Our Community: 
Located just 1 hour from Birmingham, Tuscaloosa is a vibrant college town. Tuscaloosa is home to the Crimson Tide National Championship football team, the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Alabama.  With a variety of college events and cultural events, there’s always something to do!  If you enjoy the outdoors, there are beautiful hiking trails nearby, and numerous lakes for fishing, boating, and swimming.  Some of the largest cities in the South are within 4 hours driving distance including Birmingham, Atlanta, Nashville, New Orleans, and the beaches of the Gulf Shore. Find a Home & Quality of Life in Tuscaloosa, AL.
National Veterinary Associates is a leading global pet care organization united in the love of animals and the people who love them.
At NVA, we’re on a mission to improve the lives of pets and the people who love them. That starts by empowering our care teams. We nurture their growth with resources to practice medicine their way. Our network of 1,000 hospitals connects them to a community of professionals who share their passion so they can learn and grow together. Our national presence enables us to deliver technology and innovations that simplify work and expand care for all. At NVA, we're committed to your professional growth. We support your entire career journey, offering opportunities ranging from mentorship to ownership.
At National Veterinary Associates, we want to make sure your experience connecting with us is seamless and straightforward. Here’s what to expect when interacting with us:
 
• We’ll always reach out via verified LinkedIn profiles or emails ending in @nva.com
• We may also contact you via text message from an identified NVA representative for recruiting-related communication
• All job opportunities and applications are hosted on our official careers site: careers.nva.com
• There is no cost or confidential information required to apply or be considered for a position
 
If you have any doubts about a communication, feel free to visit our careers page to verify authenticity or email us at hiringhub@nva.com. Thank you for exploring opportunities at NVA!
NVA offers a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, a 401k with employer match, and paid time off (including sick time) for all eligible employees.  The team can provide more information about compensation and benefits for your specific location during the process.  For positions based in Colorado, NVA provides eligible employees with paid sick and safe leave and public health emergency leave in accordance with the requirements of Colorado's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.
 
NVA 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, or genetic information. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.

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About NVA

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Nashville Veterinary Specialists + Animal Emergency (NVS) is a veterinary specialty and emergency hospital group with two locations in Nashville and Clarksville, Tennessee. Our Mission and primary focus is to honor the human-animal bond in all we do, focusing on patient care, client experience, and the health of our team. We believe we can never stop improving and strive to improve in all we do. Not only do we focus on patient care, but core to our hospital culture is also a focus on the health of our team, our community, and the environment. We are committed to sustainable environmental practices. NVS works in partnership with National Veterinary Associates-Compassion-First (NVA C-F). NVA-CF is the largest private owner of freestanding veterinary hospitals in North America with over 1400 locations worldwide.

Headquarters location

Agoura Hills, CA, US

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