Launching a veterinary practice is no small feat, but building the right team from day one? That's where the real magic (and challenge) begins.

Dr. Pokard of Fauna Vet Collective didn't just want a staff. She wanted a culture.

"My vision for the ideal team was one that shared the core values Fauna was built upon. I can teach someone how to work with exotic animals, but it's hard to teach certain personality traits."
Sydney Pokard, DVM

So how do you hire for a veterinary dream team, especially when starting from scratch? Let's take a look at how Fauna Vet did it and what you can learn from their journey.

Prioritize the Role You Can't Do Alone

One of the first decisions Dr. Pokard made was to hire a practice manager, before any other clinical roles.

"Trying to be the doctor, business owner, and manager all in one is extremely difficult. I wanted to set myself up as best as possible so I didn't have to struggle with the business side of running the practice."
Sydney Pokard, DVM

This early hire allowed her to focus on patient care and culture-building while someone else handled logistics, scheduling, and systems, an essential investment that more startups should make.

Build the Brand Before You Post the Job

Long before she started hiring, Dr. Pokard had already laid the foundation for success by building a personal brand.

"Several years before starting a practice, I started a personal brand on Instagram. It was to promote exotic animal medicine and share my life as a veterinarian, but it was also in hopes of building a community."
Sydney Pokard, DVM

That strategy paid off. When Fauna Vet was finally ready to open its doors, it wasn't just another job listing, it was a long-awaited opportunity.

"I had many interested and qualified candidates reaching out."
Sydney Pokard, DVM

Culture Over Everything

While technical skills matter, Dr. Pokard emphasized something else as her top hiring criteria: culture fit.

"With a unique practice, you have to stay true to your vision to really communicate the worth to the pet owner. You have to have team members that support and believe in the vision as much as you do."
Sydney Pokard, DVM

This belief guided her entire hiring process, which was built on behavioral interview questions rather than technical ones.

"These are characteristics you can't really teach."
Sydney Pokard, DVM

Write Job Descriptions That Reflect Your Practice Values

When it came time to craft job descriptions, Dr. Pokard started with resources from the CVMA, then rewrote them with her own clinic in mind.

"I did write my own job descriptions. I adjusted them to the needs of my clinic."
Sydney Pokard, DVM

This step ensured candidates knew exactly what Fauna stood for and what would be expected of them in a startup setting.

Onboarding That Balances Structure and Flexibility

Training at a brand-new practice is very different from onboarding someone into an established clinic. Dr. Pokard created a hands-on process that included:

  • Software training
  • Exotics handling and husbandry
  • Team-building exercises
  • Practice clinic days
"I definitely had to improvise some days. And I'm still learning the best process for onboarding more team members now."
Sydney Pokard, DVM

Her advice? Be flexible, keep learning, and prioritize team connection from the very beginning.

Salaries, Sacrifices, and Startup Realities

One of the toughest parts of hiring early is figuring out how to offer competitive compensation with limited resources.

"It was extremely important to me to be able to offer a living wage to my team. I was willing to sacrifice other things if it meant I could offer a competitive wage."
Sydney Pokard, DVM

Benefits were minimal at first, no PTO or CE allowance, but the exchange was honesty, mentorship, and a workplace that prioritized mental health.

"As a start-up practice, I was very honest with applicants."
Sydney Pokard, DVM

This transparency helped attract the right people while building trust and shared purpose from day one.

Mistakes? Not Quite. But Lots of Learning.

"I really don't think I made any 'mistakes.' Every moment is a learning opportunity."
Sydney Pokard, DVM

One of her biggest takeaways?

"Be very clear and communicative during the hiring process on your expectations."
Sydney Pokard, DVM

Clear communication upfront avoids confusion and sets the tone for accountability and alignment.

Advice for New Practice Owners

For other veterinarians about to start their hiring journey, Dr. Pokard keeps it simple:

"Stick to the basics and don't forget your vision and values. It's easy to get caught up in the stress of it all, but if you remind yourself of your why, then it will be easier to hire your first team."
Sydney Pokard, DVM

Whether you're starting your own clinic or rethinking your current team, the lessons from Fauna Vet Collective are clear: build intentionally, communicate honestly, and always lead with your values.