As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

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1.    “Accredited college of veterinary medicine” means any veterinary college or division of a university or college which offers the degree of doctor of veterinary medicine or its equivalent and which conforms to the standards required for accreditation by the council on education of the American veterinary medical association.

2.    “Accredited program in veterinary technology” means any postsecondary educational program of two or more academic years that is accredited by the committee on veterinary technician education and activities of the American veterinary medical association.

3.    “Animal” means any animal other than a human being. The term includes any mammal, bird, fish, reptile, or fowl, whether wild or domestic, living or dead.

4.    “Board” means the board of veterinary medical examiners.

5.    “Certificate” means a certificate issued by the educational commission for foreign veterinary graduates or the educational equivalence program of the American association of veterinary state boards, indicating the holder has demonstrated knowledge and skill equivalent to that possessed by a graduate of an accredited college of veterinary medicine.

6.    “Licensed veterinarian” means a person who is licensed by the board to practice veterinary medicine.

7.    “Licensed veterinary technician” means a person who has graduated from an accredited program in veterinary technology or an equivalent program as determined by the board, and who has passed an examination prescribed by the board.

8.    “Practice of veterinary medicine” means to:

a.    Diagnose, treat, correct, change, relieve, or prevent animal disease, deformity, defect, injury, or other physical or mental conditions. The term includes the prescription or administration of any drug, medicine, biologic, apparatus, application, anesthetic, or other therapeutic or diagnostic substance or technique, the use of any manual or mechanical procedure for testing for pregnancy, or for correcting sterility or infertility, or to render advice or recommendation with regard to any of the above.

b.    Represent, directly or indirectly, publicly or privately, an ability and willingness to do an act described in subdivision a.

c.    Use any title, word, abbreviation, or letter in a manner or under circumstances that induce the belief the person using the title, word, abbreviation, or letter is qualified to do any act described in subdivision a.

d.    Apply principles of environmental sanitation, food inspection, environmental pollution control, animal nutrition, zoonotic disease control, and disaster medicine in the promotion and protection of public health.

9.    “Veterinarian-client-patient relationship” means:

a.    A veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the health of an animal and the need for medical treatment, and the client, who is the owner or other caretaker, has agreed to follow the instructions of the veterinarian.

b.    There is sufficient knowledge of the animal by the veterinarian to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the animal.

c.    The practicing veterinarian is readily available for followup in the case of adverse reactions or failure of the regimen of therapy. This relationship exists only when the veterinarian has recently seen and is personally acquainted with the keeping     and care of the animal by virtue of an examination of the animal and by medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the animal is kept.

10.    “Veterinary medicine” includes veterinary surgery, obstetrics, dentistry, chiropractic, acupuncture, and all other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine.