Every new veterinarian has a rhythm to find. New tools, new patients, a new pace, and a hundred small decisions a day no classroom fully prepares you for. We heard it from new graduates, university partners, and externs, again and again: One of the most important things for a new veterinarian isn’t more clinical knowledge. It’s mentorship.
So we’re rolling out the red carpet. Introducing the VIP Program, short for Veterinary Impact Practicum: the most comprehensive mentorship program for new veterinary graduates that Encore Vet Group has ever offered, giving every new grad the VIP experience from day one. It’s brand new this year, built on one of the things new vets tell us matters most: mentorship. Structured, consistent, and in tune from the very first week.
What VIP Actually Is
VIP is a 20-week mentorship practicum built in partnership with IndeVets. It runs alongside your in-practice mentorship, not instead of it, so you’ve got support from your hospital team and a structured program designed specifically for this stage of your career.
Each week combines three parts, working together like a well-rehearsed set:
- Self-paced learning, 30 to 150 minutes depending on the week
- 1:1 clinical mentor calls, held biweekly
- Cohort group meetings with fellow new grad veterinarians, held monthly
All in, expect about 1.5 to 3 hours a week. Not a second job. Just consistent, built-in support that helps a new veterinarian’s career hit its stride sooner.
Three Tracks, One Set List
Clinical Proficiency (Weeks 1-14) – Real-world clinical topics and case-based learning, covering everything from physical exams and emergency medicine to dermatology, cardiology, and anesthesia.
Leadership of Self (Weeks 1-12) – The professional skills that don’t show up on a transcript but matter every single day: communication, emotional intelligence, integrity, time management, and decision-making.
Wellness Track (Weeks 13-20) – As the clinical and leadership tracks wrap up, the focus shifts to you: stress management, resilience, and building habits that support a long, sustainable veterinary career.
We’re Funding It
VIP is highly encouraged for veterinarians with two or fewer years of experience, and optional at three. Think of it as your first-year CE, fully covered by Encore. The $3,500 investment includes the VIP program plus a hands-on trip to a spay/neuter clinic with Dr. Tim Loonam, our Chief Veterinary Officer. You focus on your patients. We’ll handle the investment in you.
In Their Own Words
“The VIP Program has been going really well so far. The modules have been so helpful. I think that when you are in veterinary school, you think, ‘oh I will just remember everything!’…and you don’t! And so the modules have been so nice. They are comprehensive and it really gives you more confidence.”
~ Dr. Karp, Grace Animal Hospital, VIP Cohort 1 Participant
Part of a Bigger Ecosystem
VIP is the newest addition to Mentorcore, Encore’s full ecosystem of mentorship, learning, and wellness for veterinarians at every career stage. That includes the Encore Performance Academy, an Employee Assistance Program, mental health and life coaching support, hands-on spay and neuter training, and a network of more than 240 Encore veterinarians ready to back you up!
Ready to Join the Lineup?
The first VIP cohort is already underway. If you’re a new grad, extern, or veterinary student wondering what it’s like to have this kind of mentorship behind you from week one, learn more about VIP.
It’s your time to shine. We’ll make sure you’re ready for it.
