A veterinarian is a licensed doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) and may provide vaccinations and other disease prevention treatments—and emergency care—for pet, equine, and food animal owners.
In Indiana, veterinarians are licensed professionals regulated by the Indiana Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. As Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVMs), they are authorized to provide a range of medical services to animals, including vaccinations, disease prevention treatments, and emergency care. To practice veterinary medicine in Indiana, veterinarians must obtain a license from the state board, which requires meeting educational requirements, passing a national exam (the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination), and adhering to state-specific regulations. Indiana law also requires veterinarians to maintain a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) to prescribe medications and perform certain treatments. The state statutes and regulations ensure that veterinarians provide quality care to pet, equine, and food animal owners while adhering to professional and ethical standards.