Sea You at Fetch Long Beach
News|Articles|February 1, 2009

Q&A: Find your dream associate

Our practice is in the process of hiring our first associate. What should we look for in a candidate?

First, decide what talents you want in a new associate, says Sheila Grosdidier, RVT, a partner with VMC Inc. in Evergreen, Colo. Talents are qualities ingrained in an individual at a fundamental level. Talent can be developed with coaching and training, but the initial seed must be present for it to grow and flourish. Consider carefully what talents would fit best with your client base and with your team, then seek to identify those qualities in candidates during the interview process. And don't settle for anything less than what you want.

Knowing specifically what you want and taking the time to thoroughly evaluate candidates is critical to your success. The good news is that the right doctor is out there; all you have to do is recognize her talents when she walks through your door.


Related to this article

Q&A: Caregiver burden can begin early in pet illness. Are veterinary teams equipped to support clients, and how can veterinary social workers help both parties?
Caroline Cox, LSW, MSW, and Erika Krick, VMD, DACVIM (Oncology), discuss the role of veterinary social workers in supporting clients, communicating with veterinary teams, and helping practices address the human side of veterinary care in this Q&A from an interview at the 2026 Fetch National Harbor Veterinary Conference.
Inside veterinary social work
In a slideshow drawn from an on-site dvm360 interview at the 2026 Fetch National Harbor Veterinary Conference, a veterinary oncologist and a veterinary social worker walk through how the role supports owners and staff across a pet's cancer diagnosis, treatment, and end-of-life care.