Associate Veterinarian at Petco – Grand Prairie, TX

Associate Veterinarian at Petco in Grand Prairie, TX — Full-Time Opportunity

Petco is seeking an Associate Veterinarian for its Vetco Total Care hospital in Grand Prairie, TX . This full-time clinical role places you at the center of a team that treats every patient as if they were their own — backed by modern equipment, structured clinical feedback, and a culture built around doing what's right for pets and people.

About the Role

At Vetco Total Care, the veterinarian position is the most immersive role in the hospital. You will work alongside a paraprofessional team equipped with in-hospital ultrasound, heated hydraulic surgery tables, and DDXR imaging. Hospital veterinarians live and breathe quality — in the pets they treat and the people they serve. Ongoing clinical support comes through regular electronic medical record reviews with your Hospital Medical Leader or Area Medical Director, and you will have opportunities to grow as a subject-matter expert in areas such as dentistry and nutrition.

This role is part of a larger organization where pet first is the guiding principle. With over 250 Vetco Total Care hospitals nationwide, a consistent standard-of-care framework, and access to advanced diagnostic and surgical tools, Petco invests in an environment where veterinarians can practice at the top of their license while continuing to develop clinically.

Essential Qualifications

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from an AVMA-accredited institution or equivalent.


• Active, unrestricted veterinary licensure in the state of Texas (or ability to obtain before start date).


• Current DEA license on file.


• Current Controlled Substance License applicable in Texas, or ability to obtain by start date.


• USDA Category I Accreditation (minimum), or completion within two months of hire.


• Comfort performing anesthesia and routine surgical procedures , including canine and feline spays, neuters, mass removals, and dental extractions.


• Strong written and verbal communication skills for client consultations and clinical documentation.


• Ability to maintain composure and professionalism during emotionally demanding situations with pet parents.


• Proficiency with telephone and computer systems , including medical record software.


• A collaborative mindset — willing to learn new techniques, accept constructive feedback, and contribute creative ideas to the team.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide excellent patient care by performing comprehensive physical examinations , developing problem-based diagnostic plans, and delivering evidence-based treatments tailored to each patient's signalment, lifestyle, and environment.


• Execute routine and complex surgical procedures and full dental examinations, including dental radiograph interpretation, extractions, and oral surgery.


• Document all patient observations, diagnostic results, treatments, medications, client interactions, and confirmed or tentative diagnoses concisely and thoroughly in the medical record.


• Develop and manage treatment plans for day hospitalization patients, transition cases to overnight care as needed, and coordinate with referral hospitals for continuity of care.


• Participate in clinical rounds as incoming or exiting doctor at the start and end of each shift.


• Share knowledge across the hospital team to elevate overall care quality and improve communication with both patients and clients.

Work Environment

The majority of duties take place inside the Vetco Total Care hospital. The role requires periods of standing, bending, kneeling, and lifting up to 30 pounds as necessary. Expect significant face-to-face interaction with clients and their pets throughout each shift.

Hospital partners are expected to foster an environment where the patient's needs always come first, every team member understands they have the power to create an exceptional experience, contentious issues are resolved promptly, and teamwork and shared goals benefit the entire organization.

Application Tips for This Position

• Tailor your CV to highlight surgical volume — emphasize spay/neuter counts, dental procedure experience, and any case management involving day hospitalization or overnight transitions.


• Showcase client communication strengths — roles in retail-adjacent veterinary hospitals heavily value empathy and clear explanation of diagnosis and treatment options to pet parents.


• Confirm Texas licensure status early — the job posting specifies that licensure must be active without contingencies or obtainable by the start date; flagging this in your cover letter can strengthen your application.


• Reference structured clinical workflows if applicable — demonstrating familiarity with SOP adherence and quality-assurance practices aligns well with Petco's emphasis on consistency and patient-first care.


• Search platforms strategically — similar associate veterinarian and veterinary hospital positions at retail-focused clinic networks are commonly posted on LinkedIn Jobs, Indeed, and AVMA CareerCenter.

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.