{"data":{"id":"us-me/32-m.r.s.-4877","jurisdiction":"us-me","citation":"32 M.R.S. §4877","heading":"Veterinarian-client-patient relationship required; Good Samaritan exception","body":"In order to practice veterinary medicine, a veterinarian must be engaged in a veterinarian-client-patient relationship.  A veterinarian-client-patient relationship exists when a veterinarian:\n1.  Engaged by client.  Has been engaged by the client;\n2.  Assumed responsibility.  Has assumed responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the health of the patient;\n3.  Knowledge of patient.  Has sufficient knowledge of the patient to initiate a preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the patient and has personal knowledge of the keeping and care of the patient as a result of:\nA.  A timely examination of the patient by the veterinarian; or\nB.  A medically appropriate and timely visit or visits by the veterinarian to the patient while that patient is under the care of the veterinarian's practice;\n4.  Follow-up evaluation.  Is readily available for follow-up evaluation or has arranged for veterinary emergency coverage and continuing care and treatment; and\n5.  Records.  Maintains patient records.\nA licensed veterinarian who in good faith engages in the practice of veterinary medicine by rendering or attempting to render emergency care to a patient when a client cannot be identified and a veterinarian-client-patient relationship is not established is not subject to any disciplinary sanctions authorized by Title 10, section 8003, subsection 5‑A based solely upon the veterinarian's inability to establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship.","path":["TITLE 32: PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS","CHAPTER 71-A: MAINE VETERINARY PRACTICE ACT OF 1975"],"source_url":"https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/32/title32sec4877.html","current_through":"October 1, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-04T15:12:37Z","sha256":"c1db4e51380a87805f924ae0f475658197511f378239e90e39eb01a745e80344","source_id":"us-me","stale":false,"prev":"us-me/32-m.r.s.-4876","next":"us-me/32-m.r.s.-4878"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}