18 Va. Admin. Code § 150-20-10
The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"AAVSB" means the American Association of Veterinary State Boards.
"Automatic emergency lighting" is lighting that is powered by battery, generator, or alternate power source other than electrical power, is activated automatically by electrical power failure, and provides sufficient light to complete surgery or to stabilize the animal until surgery can be continued or the animal moved to another establishment.
"AVMA" means the American Veterinary Medical Association.
"Board" means the Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine.
"Companion animal" means any dog, cat, horse, nonhuman primate, guinea pig, hamster, rabbit not raised for human food or fiber, exotic or native animal, reptile, exotic or native bird, or any feral animal or animal under the care, custody or ownership of a person or any animal that is bought, sold, traded, or bartered by any person. Agricultural animals, game species, or any animals regulated under federal law as research animals shall not be considered companion animals for the purposes of this chapter.
"CVMA" means the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
"DEA" means the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
"ICVA" means the International Council for Veterinary Assessment.
"Immediate supervision" means that the licensed veterinarian is immediately available to the licensed veterinary technician or assistant, either electronically or in person, and provides a specific order based on observation and diagnosis of the patient within the last 36 hours.
"Owner" means any person who (i) has a right of property in an animal; (ii) keeps or harbors an animal; (iii) has an animal in his care; or (iv) acts as a custodian of an animal.
"PAVE" means the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence for veterinary technicians of the American Association of Veterinary State Boards.
"Preceptee" or "extern" means a student who is enrolled and in good standing in an AVMA accredited college of veterinary medicine or AVMA accredited veterinary technology program and who is receiving practical experience under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician.
"Preceptorship" or "externship" means a formal arrangement between an AVMA accredited college of veterinary medicine or an AVMA accredited veterinary technology program and a veterinarian who is licensed by the board and responsible for the practice of the preceptee. A preceptorship or externship shall be overseen by faculty of the college or program.
"Private animal shelter" means a facility that is used to house or contain animals and that is owned or operated by an incorporated, nonprofit, and nongovernmental entity, including a humane society, animal welfare organization, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or any other organization operating for the purpose of finding permanent adoptive homes for animals.
"Professional judgment" includes any decision or conduct in the practice of veterinary medicine, as defined by § 54.1-3800 of the Code of Virginia.
"Public animal shelter" means a facility operated by the Commonwealth, or any locality, for the purpose of impounding or sheltering seized, stray, homeless, abandoned, unwanted, or surrendered animals, or a facility operated for the same purpose under a contract with any locality.
"Specialist" means a veterinarian who has been awarded and has maintained the status of diplomate of a specialty organization recognized by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties of the American Veterinary Medical Association, or any other organization approved by the board.
"Surgery" means treatment through revision, destruction, incision or other structural alteration of animal tissue. Surgery does not include dental extractions of single-rooted teeth or skin closures performed by a licensed veterinary technician upon a diagnosis and pursuant to direct orders from a veterinarian.
"Veterinarian-in-charge" means a veterinarian who holds an active license in Virginia and who is responsible for maintaining a veterinary establishment within the standards set by this chapter, for complying with federal and state laws and regulations, and for notifying the board of the establishment's closure.
"Veterinary establishment" or "establishment" means any stationary or ambulatory practice, veterinary hospital, animal hospital, or premises wherein or out of which veterinary medicine is being conducted.
"Veterinary technician" means a person licensed by the board as required by § 54.1-3805 of the Code of Virginia.
18 Va. Admin. Code § 150-20-10
Statutory Authority: § 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.