Join Our Crew: We're Looking for a Few Good Punky Pirates
Updated: 3 minutes ago
Not your typical veterinary clinic. Not your typical veterinary team.
I know it’s a bit cliche to say “we are not like everyone else”, but truly that is the conclusion I have come to after being open for 4 years. At East End Animal Surgery & Urgent Care, we've built something a little different.
The difference was born out of my frustration for working for people or within systems that felt stuck, archaic, did not make sense, and weren’t solving any problems. After 4 jobs in about 4 years, I asked myself “is this the profession for me?”. The conclusion I came to was…”yes. I love this profession. This is my damn profession and how could I do any worse of a job than any of these options.” So I started a clinic in a leaking, half usable old, crusty 1930’s building in my neighborhood.
Since 2022, we’ve helped thousands of patients, performed thousands of surgeries, offered thousands of payment plans and waterproofed the building. And we are always sending out signals to find people who feel the same about helping and being part of the chaos.
So... What's a Punky Pirate?
It's our name for the kind of people we want on our crew. It’s a little bit of an attitude as well.
“Let’s find a solution for this pet.” Payment plan? Alternative treatment plan? Phoning a friend?
A lot of our cases have patterns - we see dog attacks, pyometras, urinary obstructions (cat and dog), foreign bodies, skin/ears, parvovirus. And then sometimes, it’s some weird, left field stuff like pythium, heterobilharzia, tetanus, etc.
My favorite quote from a mentor when I was asking her how to deal with an inguinal hernia that had a pyometra herniated through the defect…”you mean you don’t have a protocol for that?”.
Needless to say, Punky Pirates are curious enough to question things, brave enough to try something new, humble enough to ask for help, and resilient enough to learn when things don't go as planned.
Sometimes we are living on a prayer over here. And wouldn’t you know, a lot of times the animal pulls through!
We take medicine seriously, but we don't take ourselves too seriously.
We value evidence over tradition, collaboration over hierarchy, and growth over perfection. We're not interested in doing something just because "that's how it's always been done."
Most importantly, we're a crew (specifically not a family). Everyone has something to contribute, whether you're a veterinarian, technician, assistant, or the person helping a worried pet owner navigate a difficult day.
Who We're Looking For
We're always interested in chatting with people who share our values, including:
Veterinarians who enjoy urgent care, surgery, problem-solving, and practicing across the spectrum of care.
Veterinary Technicians who want to use their skills, take ownership of patient care, and continue learning.
Veterinary Assistants who are eager to develop their abilities, work hard, and support their teammates.
Client Service Representatives who can communicate with compassion, stay calm under pressure, and help people find solutions.
Experience is valuable, but attitude matters just as much. We don't expect everyone to know everything. We do expect people to ask questions, take initiative, accept feedback, and care about doing a good job.
What Makes Us Different?
We're a busy urgent care and surgical practice. Some days are chaotic. Some cases are heartbreaking. Some patients surprise us. And sometimes we have to get creative to find a solution that works for both the patient and the family.
We practice spectrum-of-care medicine without judgment. This means we are offering plan A-Z and meeting people where they are at. We encourage our technicians to work to the full extent of their training and legal scope (your veterinarian does not have those skills, so please, don’t ask me, ask Matt). We teach, we share responsibility, and we believe everyone should have opportunities to grow.
We're not corporate, we're not perfect, and we're always figuring out how to do things better.
What You Get in Return
We believe that taking care of our patients starts with taking care of our people. We want our team to feel supported, valued, and invested in the future of the clinic. Sometimes this shows up as reducing the volume of patients if we are short staffed, buying food or bundt cakes, investing in equipment that makes our lives easier, attending CE, etc.
We also offer:
401(k) with employer matching — because your future matters. (ask Matt about a Roth IRA if you’re really interested)
Health insurance — supporting the people who care for our patients.
Paid time off — because life outside the clinic matters, too.
Opportunities for bonuses — recognizing contributions to the success of our practice.
Professional growth and mentorship — opportunities to learn new skills, take on responsibilities, and advance.
A voice in the practice — we want your ideas, feedback, and participation in making this hospital better.
Think You Belong on Our Crew?
Our values are simple:
Grow. Contemplate. Have Courage. Stay Focused. Have Fun. Be Honest. Be Nice. Have Patience.
You don't need a punk haircut, a pirate hat, or all the answers.
You just need curiosity, compassion, a good work ethic, and a willingness to challenge yourself alongside people who have your back.
If that sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you. You can also find out who Matt is.
Interested in joining East End Animal Surgery & Urgent Care?
Good medicine. Good people. A little bit of rebellion.
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