Definitions

As used in these rules, the terms and acronyms shall have the following meanings ascribed to them. (1) Advertisement - Information communicated to the public, in any manner, designed to attract public attention to the practice of veterinarians or facilities licensed in Tennessee. (2) Advertising - Includes, but is not limited to business solicitations, with or without limiting qualifications, in a card, sign, or device issued to a person; in a sign or marking in or on any building; or in any newspaper, magazine, directory, or other printed matter. Advertising also includes business solicitations communicated by individuals, radio, video, television broadcasting, electronic communication, or any other means designed to secure public attention. (3) Applicant - Any individual seeking licensure by the Board who has submitted an official application and paid the application fee. (4) Bait and Switch Advertising - An alluring but insincere offer to sell a product or service which the advertiser in truth does not intend or want to sell. Its purpose is to switch consumers from buying the advertised service or merchandise, in order to sell something else, usually for a higher fee or on a basis more advantageous to the advertiser. (5) Board - The Tennessee Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. (6) Client - The patient’s owner, owner’s agent, or other person responsible for the patient. (7) Collection of Blood - The act of removing the fluid that circulates through an animal’s heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins for the purpose of analyzing such fluid for diagnostic, therapeutic or other treatment purposes. (8) Department - Tennessee Department of Health. (9) Discounted Fee - A fee offered or charged by a person or organization for any veterinary product or service that is less than the fee usually offered or charged for the product or service. Products or services expressly offered free of charge are not considered to be offered at a “discounted fee.” GENERAL RULES GOVERNING VETERINARY TECHNICIANS CHAPTER 1730-03 (10) Division - The Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Health Related Boards, from which the Board receives administrative support. (11) Floating - The rasping or cutting of enamel points from the cheek teeth of an equine. (12) House Call - A scheduled visit for the purpose of providing veterinary services to an individual client outside of a veterinary facility at the client’s residence, business, or property. A veterinarian who conducts a house call shall have a permanent base of operations with a published address and telephone facilities for making appointments or responding to emergency situations. (13) Licensee - Any person who has been lawfully issued a license by the Board. (14) Patient - An animal that is examined or treated by a veterinarian. (15) Premises - Any veterinary facility where a licensed veterinarian practices or where the practice of veterinary medicine occurs. (16) Premises Owner - Any person, corporation or other similar organization, public or private, for- profit or not-for-profit, who holds title to a facility where a licensed veterinarian practices or where the practice of veterinary medicine occurs. (17) Premises Permit - A permit issued by the Board to operate a veterinary medicine facility when premises meet minimum standards established by the Board. (18) Public Rabies Vaccination Clinic - A clinic sponsored by a local health department to provide vaccination of dogs and cats against rabies, under the local health department’s ordinances and regulations. (19) Retail Establishment - Any retail store in excess of two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet that primarily sells goods not related to the practice of veterinary medicine, or any veterinary facility located in an enclosed shopping mall or enclosed shopping center. (20) Supervising Veterinarian - A person who is validly and currently licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Tennessee, who shall be accountable to the Board for the facility’s compliance with the laws and rules governing the practice of veterinary medicine in this state, and is responsible for the supervision of a temporary licensee, veterinary student intern, employee, or consulting veterinarian. (21) Surgery - The art, practice, or work of treating disease, injuries, deformities, or conditions by manual or operative procedures. The castrating or dehorning of any wild or domestic animal is not considered veterinary surgery. (22) Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship has the same meaning established by T.C.A. § 63- 12-103(17). (23) Veterinary Facility has the same meaning established by T.C.A. § 63-12-103(18). (24) Veterinary Practice means: (a) Large Animal Practice - A practice in which ninety percent (90%) or more of the animals seen/treated are equine, farm animal, or any other animals deemed as “large animal” by the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. GENERAL RULES GOVERNING VETERINARY TECHNICIANS CHAPTER 1730-03 (b) Small Animal Practice - A practice in which ninety percent (90%) or more of the animals seen/treated are companion animals or any other animals deemed as “small animal” by the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. (c) Mixed Animal Practice - A practice in which both large and small animals are seen/treated and the percentage of animals seen/treated exceeds ten percent (10%) for both types of animals. (25) Veterinary Rehabilitative Therapy - Therapeutic or rehabilitative interventions that are used to treat, correct, change, alleviate, or prevent animal disease, illness, pain, deformity, defect, injury, or other physical conditions for the purpose of physical rehabilitation.