General information
City: Silverdale
State: Washington
Hospital Name: Ridgetop Animal Hospital
Job Type: Veterinary Extern
Description & Requirements
Hands-on learning. Supportive mentors. Scenic views.
Ridgetop Animal Hospital is a thriving AAHA-accredited hospital where you won’t just watch from the sidelines — you’ll be part of the action. Our 6 DVMs, 3 Licensed Veterinary Technicians, and 2 almost-LVTs (taking the VTNE in early 2026) are ready to share their expertise and welcome you into our collaborative, high-energy team.
What You’ll Do:
•Work side-by-side with supervising DVMs on real cases
•Assist or observe advanced soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries (TPLO, CBLO, fracture repair, FHOs, amputations, and more)
•Sharpen your communication skills with our team and clients
What Makes Us Different:
•Fully integrated learning: You’ll be treated as a valued contributor, not “just” an observer.
•Surgical variety: Complex cases and high-volume dentistry (minimum two procedures daily).
•Exotics & backyard poultry: Expand your patient portfolio beyond dogs and cats.
•Mentorship culture: Our Managing DVM has onboarded 4 new grads in the last 5 years, and our tenured LVTs excel at teaching.
•Team spirit: We love what we do — and have fun while doing it!
Tools & Tech:
•In-house radiology with radiologist review
•Traveling ultrasonographer & cardiologist
•IDEXX in-house labs
•Fluid warmers, orthopedic surgical equipment
•AI scribing software, online pharmacy, PetPage app
Location Perks:
•Nestled in Silverdale, WA on the Kitsap Peninsula — suburban charm with breathtaking Olympic Mountain views
•Close to local ER and specialty hospitals (ophthalmology, rehabilitation)
•No weekends, major holidays, or overnights
Bonus Points:
We’ve been AAHA-accredited since 2010, partner with the Kitsap Humane Society, and stay active in our community through fundraisers and outreach.
Ready to grow your skills in a welcoming, high-paced, and fun environment?
Come join us — where learning is constant, mentorship is genuine, and your externship is anything but ordinary.
Most externship experiences at Ridgetop Animal Hospital range from two to eight weeks depending on student and hospital schedules. All DVM students (regardless of class year) are encouraged to participate in NVA externships.