Vet Science Practice Management + Directional Terms

Directional terms are crucial in veterinary science as they provide a standardized language for describing the locations and relationships of anatomical structures. These terms include:


  • Anterior: Refers to the front of the body.

  • Posterior: Refers to the back of the body.

  • Superior: Refers to a structure that is higher or above another structure.

  • Inferior: Refers to a structure that is lower or beneath another structure.

  • Lateral: Refers to the side of the body, away from the midline.

  • Medial: Refers to the middle or near the midline of the body.

  • Proximal: Refers to a structure that is closer to the point of attachment or origin.

  • Distal: Refers to a structure that is farther from the point of attachment or origin.

Vet Practice Management


Only Vets can:

  • Prescribe

  • Diagnose

  • Prognose

  • Perform Surgery

Vet Techs Can:

  • Enter Prescription Drugs into Patient Record

  • Perform Routine Dental Procedures

  • Fill Prescriptions

  • Educate Client

  • Assess Patient

Kennel Attendant Can:

  • Routine Animal Husbandry

Receptionists Can:

  • Create Appointments

  • Update Client + Patient Info

Vet Assistants Can:

  • Animal Restraint


Types of Practices:

  • On Call Emergency Service: An option provided by some veterinary facilities that will treat emergencies but do not necessarily have veterinarians and staff on the premises during all operation hours.

  • Veterinary Teaching Hospital: A facility that consists of a large staff of DVMs who provide clinical and hospital services, but who also perform significant research, along with educating professional veterinary students.

  • Haul In Service: A facility that is set up to allow large animals to be brought to the practice for examination or treatment.

  • Speciality Facility: A facility where services are provided by board certified veterinary specialists.

  • Hospital: A facility in which the practice conducted typically includes inpatient as well as outpatient diagnosis and treatment.

  • Mobile Facility: A practice that conducts its work from a vehicle that can make farm or house calls.

  • Referral Facility: A facility in which veterinarians with a special interest in a specific species or area of veterinary medicine provide services.

  • Emergency Facility: A facility in which the primary function is to treat and monitor critically ill or injured animals.

  • An Office: A practice that is limited in the services it provides, as it does not have the facilities to perform inpatient diagnostics or treatment.

  • Clinic: A facility in which the practice conducted may include inpatient as well as outpatient diagnosis and treatment.

  • Outpatient: A patient that comes in facility for treatment and leaves.


Organizations To Know:
AAVSB: American Association Of Veterinary Tech Boards

  • Perform the VTNE exam

AAHA: American Animal Hospital Association

AVMA: American Veterinary Medical Association
NAVTA: National Association Of Vet Technicians

  • Promote for Vet Techs Voices