The Veterinary Client Patient Relationship (or VCPR) is a convention that is designed to protect the animal owner from inappropriate and fraudulent veterinary medical activity. It is the foundation of contemporary veterinary medical ethics and is central to the effective delivery of high-quality animal care in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. SOUND HORSE Advice is committed to the appropriate and lawful practice of veterinary medicine, and abides by VCPR principles and regulations.

A veterinary-client-patient relationship must be maintained by any veterinarian practicing medicine, even telemedicine. It requires that the veterinarian physically access your horse on-site (in-person) on a regular basis (at least once annually), and maintain current one-on-one knowledge of the animal’s medical status. In order to satisfy this requirement, the veterinarian must be licensed in the state in which the horse resides.

Each country and state may publish their own VCPR definition, but all versions center around the on-site/in-person connection between veterinarian, animal, and owner. The practice of veterinary telemedicine in the absence of a viable VCPR may result in legal ramifications imposed by the state veterinary board and possibly a loss of veterinary licensure.

With respect to the appropriate dissemination of telehealth, there are a few important points to consider:

• A VCPR is required in all cases of telemedical (veterinarian-to-client) communication regarding a specific animal.
• A VCPR is not required for the remote dissemination of general veterinary information (not relating to a specific animal).
• A VCPR is rarely required by a veterinary specialist who may be solicited by another veterinarian for an accessory opinion (via “teleconsultation”).
• Horse trainers, farriers, and other non veterinary professionals do not require a VCPR because they do not practice medicine.