Jobs at Willapa Veterinary Service

Join a family-owned veterinary practice on Washington’s southwest coast. At Willapa Veterinary Service, we pair compassionate medicine with practical options for pets and their people. We are looking for an associate veterinarian who values collaboration, clear communication, and care that works for the families we serve.

Whether you are beginning your veterinary career or bringing years of experience, we would like to learn about your goals and the kind of practice life you want to build.

Why Willapa

Founded in 1988, Willapa serves the coastal communities of Raymond and Grayland. Drs. Eric and Kathleen Sutten assumed ownership in 2021 and lead the practice personally. We are privately owned, with no private equity ownership.

Our approach centers on compassion, integrity, and medical quality without ego. We discuss cases, ask questions, and help one another find thoughtful solutions. We practice a spectrum of care, helping clients understand options that balance their pets’ needs with what is achievable for their families.

The Work You Will Do

Our two fully equipped general practice clinics provide preventive care, ongoing medical care, and reserved appointments for urgent and same-day needs. Your clinical work can include:

• Wellness visits, preventive care, chronic disease management, and geriatric and end-of-life support.
• Assessment and treatment of urgent and same-day sick patients.
• Diagnostic workups using in-house laboratory testing, digital full-body and dental radiography, ultrasound, and reference laboratory services.
• Dentistry and soft tissue surgery, with team support for monitoring and recovery.
• Client education, treatment discussions, and clear communication throughout a patient’s care.

A Schedule With Room for Life

A four-day workweek, no weekends, and no on-call responsibilities give you time outside the clinic. We respect time off and offer flexibility when life requires it.

Compensation and Professional Support

• No negative accrual.
• Annual continuing education stipend, with travel and lodging support.
• Signing, relocation, and/or travel stipends available.
• Room to explore professional interests, including surgery, exotics, or alternative medicine.

Mentorship Built Into Your Day

Support is part of the daily workflow. You will have people to turn to for case discussions, clinical questions, and help with challenging conversations.

For new graduates, we begin by identifying a primary mentor and backup. Your first month includes a manageable caseload, brief daily check-ins, and protected time for weekly mentoring. Responsibilities increase as your skills and confidence develop. Throughout your first year, we revisit your workload, continuing education goals, and mentorship needs so support grows with you.

Life on the southwest Washington coast

Raymond and Grayland offer small-town community and access to beaches, forests, and coastal waters. Whether you enjoy hiking, kayaking, fishing, birdwatching, or a quiet walk by the ocean, there is room here to build a life beyond work. An in-person visit is a chance to explore the practice and the surrounding communities.

Get to Know Us

We start with a conversation about your goals, schedule, clinical interests, and approach to patient care. You will have the opportunity to meet Drs. Eric and Kathleen Sutten by phone or video and, when appropriate, visit the clinics for a shadow day or working interview. Travel and lodging support is available for an in-person visit.

Start a Conversation

nterested in joining Willapa? Email us at joinwillapa@gmail.com to request our DVM candidate packet and learn more about our team, clinical services, mentorship, and coastal communities. Tell us a little about yourself and what you’re looking for in your next role. We’d welcome the opportunity to get to know you.