Striegel Animal Hospital — Southern Illinois’ only AAHA-accredited practice with a fully Fear Free certified staff — is hiring an associate who believes every patient deserves gold-standard care and wants to practice in a place that’s actually built around that belief.

Who We Are

We are a small animal general practice with urgent care built into our GP hours — no on-call shifts, no separate urgent care schedule. A typical day runs 12 to 18 appointments — a volume that still feels like concierge medicine because of how highly leveraged our support staff are. Your techs and assistants handle client education, estimates, and most callbacks, which means your time stays focused on the medicine.

Urgent care visits happen 0 to 5 times a week, and 90% of the time it’s simply because a pet’s regular vet won’t see them — not true emergencies. You will know what your day looks like.

We’ve spent 70+ years building a loyal, engaged client base in Carbondale. Because of that, we rarely see the preventable problems that burn vets out — parvo, heartworm positive, hit-by-car, dystocia. Our clients come in wanting to do right by their animals, and that changes everything about the medicine you get to practice.

Higher compliance means more complete diagnostics, better outcomes, and a caseload that reminds you why you went to vet school.

All special interests are encouraged. Whether you love dentistry, soft tissue surgery, exotic species, dermatology, or something else entirely — we want you to bring that here and grow it.

What Makes This Practice Different

AI-assisted documentation + remote DVM scribe

We use AI and a remote scribe who is also a DVM. Notes are complete — ideally in under 5 minutes of your time. Your day ends when you leave.

Highly trained, autonomous support team

1:4 doctor-to-tech ratio. Your team handles client education, estimates, and the majority of callbacks so you can focus on medicine.

A clientele that actually complies

Higher-than-average compliance for diagnostics and treatment. You get to practice the medicine you were trained to do, not negotiate it down.

Only accredited clinic in Southern IL

AAHA-accredited, with every staff member individually Fear Free certified — a standard that attracts like-minded clients and sets the tone for every patient interaction.

Advanced modalities on-site

Hydrotherapy, laser therapy, and stem cell therapy — tools most GP practices don’t offer.

Culture that reignites passion

New team members consistently tell us working here renewed their love for vet med. That’s not an accident — it’s the result of intentional culture.

Schedule & Compensation

A schedule designed for longevity — not burnout.

Hours: 8 am – 5 pm. Closed for lunch noon–1 pm (occasionally used to finish morning appointments).

No Saturdays. No on-call. No urgent care shifts.

Compensation: Open to ProSal or straight salary. ProSal base is commensurate with experience. Details discussed with qualified candidates.

Benefits include: Pet insurance (a rare and genuinely valuable perk), plus a standard benefits package.

Ownership Track

A genuine path to ownership — not just a talking point.

Brandy is open to a buy-in conversation with the right candidate on a flexible, no-pressure timeline. She’s also willing to stay involved as needed during the transition — so you’re never figuring it out alone.

You would be acquiring the only locally owned, AAHA-accredited practice in Southern Illinois with a fully Fear Free certified staff, an established client base built over 70+ years, a tenured team, and no corporate competition.

Practice financials and full details available to qualified candidates.

Who We’re Looking For

We welcome applications from new graduates and experienced veterinarians alike. Experience level matters less than mindset. What we’re looking for is a vet who is ready to be confident from day one — not because they know everything, but because they know the difference between what they know and what they don’t.

A new grad who brings that kind of self-awareness will thrive here. Mentorship looks like a thoughtful schedule ramp-up, collaborative case discussions, and a team that has your back.

Surgery and dentistry experience or genuine interest is welcomed. Some comfort with urgent care — or a real willingness to develop it — is important. Beyond clinical skills, we’re looking for someone who naturally fits the culture we’ve built.

The values that define our team:

See the whole patient

You think beyond the presenting problem and consider the full picture — clinically and relationally.

Communicate with intention

Clearly with clients, honestly with colleagues, and openly with Brandy. Communication is how we stay excellent.

Trust the team

You genuinely believe the best medicine is collaborative. You value input from your techs and assistants — because they’re good at their jobs.