Our Practice

More information about our practice can be found on the main website or our Facebook page, so we won’t go into much here. We are a large, independent practice with many of the benefits you will find in corporate practices without the emphasis on profitability over people. We have been in practice since 1996; Dr. Mathews (managing partner) was here when the first client walked through the door 25+ years ago.  Since then, our practice has continued to evolve—the philosophy of meeting clients where they are and taking care of our employees has not changed. We are one of the largest non-chain practices around, and the largest period between Austin and San Antonio. We have an active social media presence through our Facebook page (4,000 + likes), e-mail, and our app. We are well equipped; fully computerized with comprehensive in-house lab, ultrasound, and more (see below). We do have access to a wide variety of local referral hospitals, but also make use of mobile surgeons, echocardiography, and ultrasound services so we can keep quite a bit in house and our veterinarians aren’t forced to refer anything but the most major cases. 

Equipment & Facility

Our building is modern, clean, and user-friendly. We have a small grooming and boarding area, but this is not our focus. We don't spend hours working with boarding dogs and diarrhea. It was built in 2002 specifically for a veterinary hospital, recently remodeled and expanded, and includes 4 well appointed exam rooms, a large treatment area, private, off street parking, dedicated office and personalized desk space for veterinarians, 2 staff showers, a large staff lounge, dedicated dental suite, feline specific housing, and more. 

• Fully computerized, using Cornerstone for electronic medical records
• Direct digital standard radiography (Sedecal with Idexx sensor & software)
• Direct digital dental radiography (Progeny)
• Rose micro-solutions magnifying dental loops
• 3 ultrasound machines (our ultrasound-certified technicians perform scans--our veterinarians interpret reports)
• Idexx Procyte
• Idexx Catalyst 1 and 2
• 2 Idexx SNAP readers (1 Snapshot DX and 1 Snapshot Pro)
• Idexx Vetlab UA with Sedi-View (gone are the days of 3 techs and 2 doctors around a microscope arguing about whether that’s bacteria on the urine sediment)
• Idexx Coag DX
• Doppler blood pressure
• Your own dedicated 40X and oil immersion microscope lenses with microscope camera.
• Cardell multi-parameter vital sign anesthetic monitors
• Companion Therapeutic laser
• PC Vetchek EKG
• Isoflurane inhalation anesthetic machines with central oxygen & scavenging
• Oxygen cage unit
• 2 Dental-Aire high speed dental units
• Electrocautery
• All surgical packs contain high-quality German instruments; you don't have to worry about dropping a pedicle due to low quality instruments

Many of our equipment purchases have been driven by professional staff interest, expertise, and recommendations. We remain willing to discuss new opportunities to improve the quality of our practice through sound equipment investments and other program development. 

The Position & Compensation

Our pricing, client base, support staff and management structure allows opportunity for high income commensurate with experience, production ability and/or special interests. As a larger, non-corporate practice we offer a very competitive and flexible package, and a production based compensation package is available that can start any time. Most of our veterinarians end up on a production based compensation package of 22-25%. We have tiered, bonused production at higher invoiced amounts. Higher levels of production can end up with pay of 30-35% of production. Veterinarians on full production receive a bonus on dental extractions and emergency fee (unscheduled cases seen during the day) revenue. Our full time, experienced associate veterinarians earn an annual salary package of over $200,000 with a four day work week of 36-40 scheduled hours. We usually start our veterinarians on salary or base+ compensation plan with the option of going to a straight production salary (at a higher percentage level) at any time but the exact compensation structure is very flexible to fit your needs and concerns.

For the position open Winter 2023-24:

• Base salary understandably varies greatly depending on experience; starting minimum for a "green" new grad estimated at $8,500 per month (will include funds for additional training & mentorship) up to $15,000 + per month + benefits starting for experienced veterinarians.  All is commensurate with final schedule, experience, production ability, and special interests, with a move to production based compensation available at any time.  The compensation package is extremely flexible to fit your needs, and funds are available for moving allowance, corporate contract buy-out, etc. for the right candidate.  Glitzy corporate hiring "bonuses" are an inaccurate corporate euphemism for "long term loan with strings" but we can certainly structure something along those lines if you have shorter term financial needs. 
• Work week appx 36-38 hours, flexible schedule that may involve 4 day week, half-days, etc.
• Dedicated surgery, procedure/drop-off, and outpatient days.
• Buy-in potential if interested; 2 out of our current three owners started as associate veterinarians.
• If you are under a corporate contract employment restriction due to an up front hiring or other bonus, we have funds (and attorneys to help if necessary) available for contract buy-outs for the right candidate.
• We have active payment and wellness plans that encourage client compliance. Unlike many other hospitals, we do not play games with your production on wellness or payment plans. You receive your full production on the value of the services and products sold, regardless of payment or wellness package status.
• Position is weighted towards wellness care and medical workups.  Strong diagnostic and communication skills are a must.  We think diagnostically first--strong surgical skills are a plus, but are not necessary for this position.  If you enjoy surgery, this is an opportunity for you.  If you do not prefer surgery, please do not let this dissuade you from applying!
• Strong benefit package estimated at $18,000-$20,000 per year:
• $2,000 per year continuing education allowance
• 2 weeks paid vacation
• 2 days PTO for continuing education
• DEA renewal if it comes up during contract period
• 3% SIMPLE retirement matching available
• Group health (United), disability (AFLAC), vision and dental insurance available.  Premium contribution by employer 100% for health, 50% for dental with buy-ups available for family or upgraded plans.
• Section 125 Cafeteria plan in place so dental/vision/health/disability buy-ups are tax deductible (check with your accountant)
• FSA/HSA in place with employer contributions
• $100 per month toward Trupanion pet insurance
• Full wellness care provided for 2 pets annually, rest of any care at cost
• VIN Dues
• Uniform budget $500 per year
• Outpatient appointments at 2 per hour, flexible depending on preference, ability, exam room availability. Appointments generally end 1 ½ hours before end of shift giving time for records maintenance, phone calls, and general catch up
• No regular Saturday or Sunday hours
• No in person emergency call
• No overnights
• Remote login, texting, and phone call ability to finish and follow up cases remotely at your preference

Our Staff

The support staff is the most important part of our practice.  Whether you are paid directly on production or not, you simply cannot practice to your earning potential without excellent support staffing. You can find more out about our staffing here at a page we maintain for lay positions.  Although finding and maintaining qualified lay staff is more of a challenge than it used to be, we are generally able to maintain full support staff.

• We currently employ 35+ lay staff members supporting 6 veterinarians. Many have been with us 10-15 years +
• Generally have 3 technicians + other support staff per vet per shift
• Staff is made up of well-trained, career-minded individuals. 
• We require and pay for staff continuing education
• Our staff perform everything they are legally able and trained to do. This includes certified ultrasound and cardiac echo technicians. Our technicians are not just animal handlers. 
• We have at least one technician dedicated to and continually monitoring each anesthetized patient. Our veterinarians are not on their own in surgery.

The Area

Kyle is conveniently located between Austin and San Antonio and within commuting distance of both. Our staff resides in both cities and many smaller towns in between in the Austin-San Antonio corridor. Whether you prefer the cosmopolitan feel of Austin, the more laid back but still bigger city environment of San Antonio, or any number of small towns in between such as San Marcos, New Braunfels, Seguin, Buda, or Kyle, the Central Texas area has it all. We are a gateway to the Texas Hill Country, and the opportunity for outdoor pursuits abounds. You can even make a day trip to the Texas gulf coast. The area’s growth is solid and consistent, while at the same time the cost of living ranks consistently low. 

Hays County Growth 

Texas Parks &Wildlife Department destinations within 100 miles Austin 

Austin

San Marcos 

Kyle 

Wimberley

Blanco

San Antonio 

Explore Texas 

Who We Are Looking For...

Our ideal candidate has 2 to 5 years of experience in small animal medicine. We will consider recent graduates, especially with previous technician experience.  They exhibit thorough diagnostic capabilities and strong case-management abilities. Surgical skills, while always valued, are not a priority for this position. Our ideal candidate can juggle multiple medically-intensive cases at once, and is comfortable delegating most treatment tasks to trained technicians. Teamwork is important, but we all know teamwork is often an euphemism used by employers to mean “long hours and low pay.” At Kyle Animal Hospital, we are looking for someone who can relate well one-on-one to technicians, and oversee several at once. Obviously communication skills, especially to clients, are more important than teamwork among veterinarians. Not required, but appreciated, is AAFP feline-friendly designation or desire to pursue.

You are encouraged to apply even if you do not meet all of the listed criteria.

This isn’t meant to be an exhaustive description of our practice and the position; it is meant to give you an idea of some of the intangibles that are vitally important to a lasting employment relationship. Every employer can (and all do) say they practice "high quality medicine in a rewarding atmosphere" with a glitzy ad. It's up to you to see what actions they take to truly provide that work environment. Look around the rest of our website, our Facebook page, and most importantly, call or e-mail Dr. Mathews directly (docm@kylevet.com or 512-268-5003 X 101) if you would like to discuss anything further. You are also invited to submit a resume and cover letter to the e-mail address above or snailmail Guy G. Mathews, DVM, Kyle Animal Hospital, 100 Hall Professional Center, Kyle, TX 78640.