Large Animal or Mixed Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

This is a fantastic opportunity to join an independent mixed practice in Brecon, where the stunning Brecon Beacons form your daily backdrop. You’ll work a sustainable 4-day week (8:30 am–5:30 pm) with a fixed day off and just 1:12 Saturday mornings, alongside a shared 1:8 first on-call and 1:8 second on-call rota with one set weeknight per week. You’ll never feel rushed or isolated here—the practice has grown to 11 vets, ranging from recent graduates to partners with over 25 years’ experience.

The caseload is genuinely diverse: roughly 50% large animal (preventative herd health focus with beef and sheep enterprises), 40% small animal, and 10% equine. Your week will mix large animal and small animal duties, with large animal days split between ambulatory work, clinic/emergency cover, and TB testing—plus dedicated ATT support to keep you efficient. The practice recently moved into a purpose-built facility with dedicated large animal consultation and surgical rooms, a dedicated large animal lab, and modern equipment throughout.

This is a collaborative environment where daily morning huddles keep everyone connected, monthly clinical meetings encourage knowledge-sharing, and the team genuinely cares about each other’s wellbeing. Workplace yoga sessions and regular social events—from summer BBQs to fundraising cycles—reflect the friendly culture here.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver mixed practice care across large animal, small animal, and equine caseloads, with flexibility to focus more on large animal work if preferred
• Undertake ambulatory large animal visits across the countryside, managing routine checks and complex cases with family-run beef and sheep enterprises
• Provide clinic and emergency cover on designated large animal days, supported by an RVN team passionate about mixed practice involvement
• Participate in TB testing duties, with dedicated ATT testers supporting workload management
• Contribute to daily morning huddles and monthly clinical meetings to share cases and best practice
• Work on-call shifts as part of the 1:8 rota, with potential on-site accommodation available during night shifts
• Build and maintain relationships with loyal local clients and farming community

Requirements

• Qualified veterinary surgeon (MRCVS)
• Experience or strong interest in large animal or mixed practice
• Suitable for candidates at any stage: experienced surgeons, those mid-GDP, or newly qualified graduates
• Genuine enthusiasm for mixed caseload variety or preference for large animal specialisation
• Willingness to work within a collaborative team environment

Benefits

• Salary: £37,000–£60,000 depending on experience
• Work-life balance: 4-day week (8:30 am–5:30 pm) with fixed day off, plus 1:12 Saturday mornings only
• Out-of-hours: 1:8 first on-call and 1:8 second on-call rota; OOH bonus per call seen, plus on-site accommodation available during night shifts
• Holiday: 22 days plus bank holidays (based on 4-day week), with time off in lieu if bank holiday worked
• Professional development: CPD encouraged and funded; RCVS, VDS, and BCVA professional fees paid
• Work vehicle provided
• Family support: Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave and generous sick pay
• Workplace nursery scheme available
• Career progression: Potential for future practice investment for the right candidate

About the Practice

Honddu Veterinary Practice is an independent mixed practice serving South Wales with a professional, affordable, and caring approach to companion, equine, and farm animal healthcare. The practice provides 24-hour veterinary care from its purpose-built Brecon surgery, located at 5 Ffrwdgrech Estate with full modern facilities including dedicated large animal surgical and consultation rooms, laboratory, and prep areas.

The team of 11 vets includes three founding partners—Lizzy, Huw, and Helen—alongside a mix of experienced surgeons and recent graduates. The practice is deeply embedded in the local farming and client community, with a genuine commitment to preventative herd health and building lasting relationships. The culture emphasises collaboration, continuous learning, and genuine care for team wellbeing, reflected in everything from daily huddles to team social activities and workplace wellness initiatives.