Summerfields Animal Hospital is a AAHA certified, privately owned, locally rated best-practice companion and exotics animal hospital with a loyal, educated, growing client base.  Consider joining us to experience an exceptional externship as you move forward in your development and learning in veterinary medicine. We pride ourselves in delivering exceptional service and quality veterinary care to our clients and their pet family members.

About us

Compassionate and quality care for our patients is the cornerstone of Summerfields Animal Hospital philosophy. Our approach to wellness, diagnostics, beginning and end-of-life care, and surgical services is refreshingly individualized. No cookie cutters, no assumptions, just open-minded, genuinely compassionate care that considers our client’s and their pets’ individual personality, circumstances, and needs.

You would be learning in a positive, kind, and happy environment with a qualified and professional team, all of whom truly enjoy their work including a caring boss whose first priority is always her staff. We maintain a friendly workspace that generates a collaborative environment of learning and support with team members who make the veterinarian’s job a dream. We boast very low staff turnover as tangible proof of a truly happy workplace.

You will see educated and motivated clients who want the very best for their pets. Your schedule will allow a great work-life balance and each day at work will offer an interesting mix of consulting, treatment and surgical responsibilities. As a respected member of our friendly team, you will have the opportunity to develop a close working relationship with our loyal clients and their small friends, whilst being encouraged to learn how to work up cases and follow them through from initial presentation to resolution.

From our experienced veterinarians to our professional support staff, every member of the Summerfields Animal Hospital team is committed to the highest standard of veterinary care.

"The Summerfields team make you feel as if you are their only client. From the moment you walk through the door you are treated with such professionalism and care. I always feel well informed. Dr Metzler is so compassionate and caring. This is a trait that seems to be consistent with all staff at this clinic. Obviously, I highly recommend Summerfields."  Virgina Hyatt- Client

You will be well supported and mentored in your day-to-day externship experience. If you have never experienced private veterinary practice or have been exposed but just want to see a well-managed, high-quality practice in motion, we want to assist you to gain confidence, learn new skills and share with you our love of the veterinary profession. Our performance appraisals are all about you gaining confidence and us being able to provide the right support. We encourage, and our clients expect, a sound, scientific and sensible approach to all cases. Our mentors will lead you to be encouraged to follow our cases and take them through from initial presentation to resolution.

"As a new graduate veterinarian, I was very nervous to start my new job and move to a new city – 4 years on I’m so glad I did! Summerfields has been such a supportive environment, allowing me to grow and learn new techniques with somebody ‘having my back’ if I ever need it. Moving to North Texas has also been great. I love living in Fort Worth – it has all the benefits of a major city with some gorgeous countryside just a few minutes' drive away!" – Dr Chris

About this role

• We encourage, and our clients expect, a sound, scientific and sensible approach to all cases
• There will be an interesting mix of consulting, treatment and surgical experiences
• You will be encouraged follow and learn from our veterinary team as we work up cases and take them through from initial presentation to resolution

Through your externship, you will join a rotating roster that includes consultations, hospital care, surgery, medical workups, and dentals.

You will work in a clean and modern veterinary hospital with many resources and tools to help make your job easier, including a dedicated surgical theatre, digital x-ray, CT 3-dimensional imaging, fluoroscopy, endoscopy, ultrasound, in-house laboratory and pathology suites, equipped, separate dental area with digital dental x-ray and CT, five consult rooms, and separate cat and dog hospital wards, isolation and intensive care and recovery suites.

We are fair in our behavior and our policies promote equal opportunity for all. We encourage continuing education and provide in house training opportunities for people to continuously improve their skill sets and keep up to date with best practices. 

About you

• We are looking for a friendly pet lover who truly wants to learn and enjoys helping
• You appreciate the important role all our staff play in the service we provide
• You possess an eagerness to learn

What we are looking for:

• A highly motivated and ethical individual with high standards of care
• Passionate about the animal health industry
• Approachable, caring with excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Wanting to learn about a practice that is independently owned

Our location

Fort Worth is a busy and welcoming city in North Texas. It’s a great place to visit and even better to live. We have close proximity to many indoor and outdoor activities with a wide network of hiking and cycling paths, water sports, excellent restaurants, world-class galleries and museums, many award-winning wineries, great shopping, and thriving sporting and performing arts scenes.

Housing is affordable with the options of city, rural or country living, it’s an easy commute into the office.

A geographically and culturally diverse state, Texas has a vast range of activities and attractions within a short drive to suit all ages and tastes – from our vibrant city hub of the DFW metroplex to the Galveston coast, underground wonders of San Antonio, refreshing getaways to Austin and ski resorts for winter activities.

Visit our website at www.summerfieldsanimalhospital.com to see our practice and learn more about or team.

It's time to apply

If you want to experience a amazing externship, please send your resume and cover letter to us. We can’t wait to meet you.