Veterinary Financial Assistance Veterinarian

Scope of Responsibilities

Associate veterinarians are mission-critical members of the team, entrusted with safeguarding the health, comfort, and welfare of the dogs in the program. This role supports Seeing Eye Dogs throughout their working lives, ensuring that every medical decision reflects excellent veterinary care and a commitment to humane, ethical, and compassionate practices.

Veterinarians work collaboratively across departments to help each dog reach its fullest potential as a guide and companion.

Essential Functions

• Handle incoming veterinary assistance hotline communications with compassion and understanding
• Make recommendations based on illness or injury described
• Make referrals to a veterinary care provider or emergency referral as needed based on condition assessed
• Coordinate care as needed for patients to receive treatment
• Make payments to veterinary care providers when appropriate
• Record all communications
• Maintain medical record entries in the Seeing Eye Information System
• Perform medical coding for future research opportunities
• Manage a budget of approximately $1.2 million with director oversight
• Communicate all services provided to training managers and veterinarians
• Communicate and transfer calls as needed to training managers for training-related questions
• Summarize and code incoming medical records, new and old
• Communicate program details to graduates and donor/public relations teams
• Manage enrollment and determine whether need-based guidelines and criteria are met
• Spot check for compliance and oversee enrollment into programs offered
• Inform graduates of enrollment status
• When needed, provide high-quality preventive and clinical veterinary care for puppies, dogs in training, breeding dogs, adoptable dogs, and working guide dogs
• Diagnose and treat illness or injury with a strong emphasis on comfort, long-term soundness, and quality of life
• Handle communications regarding veterinary care for dogs in field service, puppy development, and training
• Perform routine surgical procedures and coordinate specialty care and referrals when needed
• Advocate for each dog's well-being, balancing medical findings with training demands and individual needs

Population Health and Welfare

• Develop and oversee preventive health programs that promote lifelong wellness and minimize disease and injury
• Develop quarterly communications to graduates and canine health stakeholders
• Ensure compliance with routine and chronic care and emergency programs, as well as payments made

Support of Mission and Programs

• Collaborate closely with training managers and veterinarians to provide medical guidance and education
• Contribute to thoughtful decisions regarding health care, treatment, career change, or retirement, always prioritizing the dog's welfare
• Support breeding and genetic health initiatives when applicable to promote sustainable, healthy future generations

Education, Communication, and Advocacy

• Communicate medical information clearly and compassionately to students, graduates, and staff
• Provide education on canine health, wellness, and preventive care
• Serve as an advocate for ethical working-dog care within the organization and broader community

Records and Continuous Improvement

• Maintain accurate and thorough medical records
• Participate in program evaluation, research, or data collection to improve outcomes for dogs and the people they serve
• Contribute to policies and procedures that reflect best practices in non-profit veterinary and working-dog medicine