Equine Veterinarian Jobs for OPT Students
Equine veterinarian jobs on OPT require a DVM or equivalent degree and an active state veterinary license, which F-1 students must secure before starting work. Most roles are in private equine practice, research institutions, or racetracks. Your 12-month OPT clock starts on your authorized start date, so securing a position before graduation puts you ahead.
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Get Access To All JobsAt PetVet Care Centers, our mission is to improve the lives of animals and people — providing exceptional and compassionate care at every stage — for all the moments that matter. Because life is better with pets. We deliver the Ultimate Care Experience — every pet, every client, every time. That starts with a Culture of Care that supports our team members as much as the pets and clients we serve. With more than 420 locally led hospitals and over 11,000 team members nationwide, we offer:
- Local autonomy with national support
- Career mobility and development opportunities
- A collaborative, inclusive environment where your wellbeing comes first
You care for pets. We care for you.
Associate Equine Veterinarian (DVM)
Manor Equine Hospital
Manor Equine Hospital is seeking a dedicated and motivated Associate Equine Veterinarian to join our team. We are a progressive equine practice committed to delivering high-quality medical and surgical care to a diverse clientele, including performance, ranch, and pleasure horses. Our hospital emphasizes teamwork, excellent client service, and evidence-based medicine in a supportive and collaborative environment.
About The Role
This position offers a balanced mix of ambulatory and in-hospital work, including preventative care, dentistry, lameness evaluations, medical case management, and emergency services. Candidates with interests in sports medicine, reproduction, internal medicine, or surgery will have opportunities to develop and grow those skills within our practice. The ideal candidate is confident in routine equine care, eager to continue learning, and committed to building strong client relationships. Participation in a shared on-call rotation is required.
Responsibilities
- Provide routine wellness care and preventative medicine
- Diagnose and treat medical and lameness cases
- Perform basic dental procedures and minor surgical treatments
- Respond to emergency calls as part of a rotation
- Communicate clearly and compassionately with clients
- Maintain accurate and timely medical records
- Collaborate effectively with veterinarians and support staff
Qualifications
- DVM (or equivalent) degree
- Eligible for Maryland veterinary licensure
- Strong interest in equine medicine and surgery
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Commitment to professional growth and continuing education
What We Offer
- Competitive salary with production bonus opportunities
- Comprehensive benefits package (health, dental, vision, CE allowance, licensing fees, retirement plan)
- Mentorship and a supportive team environment
- Access to modern diagnostic tools and hospital facilities
- Opportunities for professional development and career advancement
If you are passionate about equine medicine and looking to grow within a collaborative and forward-thinking hospital, we would love to hear from you. Submit your resume to Emily Lunsford at elunsford@petvetcarecenters.com
Pay Range
$100,000—$120,000 USD
At PetVet Care Centers, we’re committed to a Culture of Care — for pets, for the people who love them, and for the team members who make it all possible. With more than 420 hospitals across the U.S. and a team of over 11,000 dedicated professionals, including 1700+ veterinarians, we offer a unique blend of local leadership and national support that helps our hospitals thrive. Our model is built on partnership, collaboration, and local medical autonomy, empowering each hospital to deliver high-quality care while benefiting from shared resources and a strong professional community. Whether you’re providing care in a hospital or supporting operations behind the scenes, PetVet is a place where you can grow your career, stay connected to your purpose, and make a meaningful impact.
You care for pets. We care for you.
PetVet is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, citizenship, national origin/ancestry, physical/mental disabilities, military status or any other basis prohibited by law. EOE, M/F/D/V
PetVet respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. Please see our privacy notice for additional information about our data practices.
At PetVet Care Centers, our mission is to improve the lives of animals and people — providing exceptional and compassionate care at every stage — for all the moments that matter. Because life is better with pets. We deliver the Ultimate Care Experience — every pet, every client, every time. That starts with a Culture of Care that supports our team members as much as the pets and clients we serve. With more than 420 locally led hospitals and over 11,000 team members nationwide, we offer:
- Local autonomy with national support
- Career mobility and development opportunities
- A collaborative, inclusive environment where your wellbeing comes first
You care for pets. We care for you.
Associate Equine Veterinarian (DVM)
Manor Equine Hospital
Manor Equine Hospital is seeking a dedicated and motivated Associate Equine Veterinarian to join our team. We are a progressive equine practice committed to delivering high-quality medical and surgical care to a diverse clientele, including performance, ranch, and pleasure horses. Our hospital emphasizes teamwork, excellent client service, and evidence-based medicine in a supportive and collaborative environment.
About The Role
This position offers a balanced mix of ambulatory and in-hospital work, including preventative care, dentistry, lameness evaluations, medical case management, and emergency services. Candidates with interests in sports medicine, reproduction, internal medicine, or surgery will have opportunities to develop and grow those skills within our practice. The ideal candidate is confident in routine equine care, eager to continue learning, and committed to building strong client relationships. Participation in a shared on-call rotation is required.
Responsibilities
- Provide routine wellness care and preventative medicine
- Diagnose and treat medical and lameness cases
- Perform basic dental procedures and minor surgical treatments
- Respond to emergency calls as part of a rotation
- Communicate clearly and compassionately with clients
- Maintain accurate and timely medical records
- Collaborate effectively with veterinarians and support staff
Qualifications
- DVM (or equivalent) degree
- Eligible for Maryland veterinary licensure
- Strong interest in equine medicine and surgery
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Commitment to professional growth and continuing education
What We Offer
- Competitive salary with production bonus opportunities
- Comprehensive benefits package (health, dental, vision, CE allowance, licensing fees, retirement plan)
- Mentorship and a supportive team environment
- Access to modern diagnostic tools and hospital facilities
- Opportunities for professional development and career advancement
If you are passionate about equine medicine and looking to grow within a collaborative and forward-thinking hospital, we would love to hear from you. Submit your resume to Emily Lunsford at elunsford@petvetcarecenters.com
Pay Range
$100,000—$120,000 USD
At PetVet Care Centers, we’re committed to a Culture of Care — for pets, for the people who love them, and for the team members who make it all possible. With more than 420 hospitals across the U.S. and a team of over 11,000 dedicated professionals, including 1700+ veterinarians, we offer a unique blend of local leadership and national support that helps our hospitals thrive. Our model is built on partnership, collaboration, and local medical autonomy, empowering each hospital to deliver high-quality care while benefiting from shared resources and a strong professional community. Whether you’re providing care in a hospital or supporting operations behind the scenes, PetVet is a place where you can grow your career, stay connected to your purpose, and make a meaningful impact.
You care for pets. We care for you.
PetVet is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, citizenship, national origin/ancestry, physical/mental disabilities, military status or any other basis prohibited by law. EOE, M/F/D/V
PetVet respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. Please see our privacy notice for additional information about our data practices.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Equine Veterinarian
Get licensed before your OPT start date
State veterinary licenses take 6 to 12 weeks to process after passing the NAVLE. Apply immediately after your exam results arrive. Working without a license violates both state law and your OPT authorization, putting your entire status at risk.
Target practices with international hiring history
Equine specialty practices, university veterinary hospitals, and large racing operations are more likely to have sponsored foreign-national veterinarians before. Ask directly whether the practice has experience hiring on OPT or sponsoring H-1B veterinarians afterward.
Frame your DVM as the specialty occupation proof
Veterinary medicine is a textbook specialty occupation requiring a specific professional degree. When discussing future H-1B sponsorship, emphasize that the DVM requirement is non-negotiable, which makes the immigration case straightforward for a willing employer.
Apply for STEM OPT extension if your program qualifies
Veterinary programs are generally not STEM-designated, giving you only 12 months of OPT. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO early. If your degree qualifies, the 24-month STEM extension significantly increases your value to employers considering sponsorship.
Document all clinical work precisely on your resume
Equine-specific experience, species treated, procedures performed, and facility types all matter for immigration purposes. Detailed records of your clinical work help establish your qualifications for specialty occupation classification if your employer files an H-1B petition.
Equine Veterinarian jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an equine veterinarian on OPT without a state license?
No. Every state requires an active veterinary license to practice, regardless of your immigration status. OPT authorizes you to work in your field, but it does not override state licensing laws. You must pass the NAVLE and complete your state's application process before your first day of work. Practicing without a license risks both your veterinary career and your immigration status.
Is equine veterinarian a STEM-eligible field for the 24-month OPT extension?
Most Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programs are classified under CIP code 01.8301, which is not on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. This means most DVM graduates receive only 12 months of OPT, not 24. Confirm your specific program's CIP code with your Designated School Official before making employment plans. Some related graduate programs in biomedical or agricultural sciences may qualify.
Where can I find equine veterinarian jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters for employers open to sponsoring international candidates. General job boards surface thousands of listings without any indication of visa sponsorship willingness, making your search inefficient. Migrate Mate helps you focus your applications on practices and institutions that have actually hired on OPT or H-1B before.
Can an equine veterinary practice sponsor me for an H-1B after my OPT ends?
Yes. Equine veterinarian roles qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B rules because the position requires a DVM degree in a specific field. Private equine practices, university veterinary hospitals, and research institutions are all eligible to file H-1B petitions as employers. The main challenge is timing: H-1B cap registration happens each March for an October start, so planning ahead with your employer is essential.
What happens to my OPT if I work at multiple equine practices or take relief vet shifts?
OPT permits concurrent or multiple employers as long as each position is directly related to your degree field and you work at least 20 hours per week in aggregate. Relief veterinary work at multiple equine facilities is generally permissible under this rule. Keep records of each employer, your duties, and your hours, and report any employer changes to your DSO promptly to stay compliant.
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