Effective Date: October 15, 2026 Version: 1.0 Applies to: All Veterinarians who apply to participate in, or who participate in, veterinary services through the Platform.
Article 1: Introduction and Scope
1.1 This document states the credentialing and background standards a Veterinarian shall meet before activation and shall continue to meet during participation. Licensure, governed by the License Verification document, establishes that a state permits the Veterinarian to practice. Credentialing under this document establishes that the Veterinarian may practice through the Platform.
1.2 The order of the participation process is fixed: application, then license verification under the License Verification document, then credentialing under this document, then activation under the Vet Onboarding and Activation document. Credentialing does not begin before licenses verify, and activation does not occur before credentialing is complete.
1.3 Licensure and the VCPR are governed by the law of the state where the patient is located. Credentialing under this document grants no practice right and authorizes no practice that the law of that state forbids.
1.4 If a provision of this document conflicts with the Terms of Use, this document controls for the subject it governs. If a provision of this document conflicts with the terms of a program in which the Veterinarian participates, the program terms control for that program. Policies and help pages explain this document; they do not amend it, and in any conflict this document prevails.
Article 2: Definitions
2.1 The definitions in the Terms of Use are incorporated into this document by reference and apply to this document. This article defines only the additional terms used in this document, in alphabetical order.
2.2 Adverse Event: a board disciplinary action, a malpractice judgment or settlement, a license restriction, an exclusion from a state or federal program, or a criminal charge or conviction relevant to practice, in each case whether final or pending.
2.3 Credentialing File: the record the Company maintains for a Veterinarian containing the application, verification evidence, background check results, reference records, insurance evidence, the credentialing decision and its basis, and each re-credentialing cycle.
2.4 Credentialing Status: the status of a Veterinarian's credentialing review, stated as pending, verified, or rejected.
2.5 Veterinarian: a licensed veterinarian the Company has accepted to participate in veterinary services through the Platform, and, for Articles 3 and 4, a person who has applied for that participation.
Article 3: Credentialing Requirements
3.1 Before activation, the Veterinarian shall evidence each of the following (a) License verification under the License Verification document for each state in which the Veterinarian is to practice. No provisional activation is permitted while verification is outstanding.
(b) Professional liability insurance in amounts of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 in the aggregate, evidenced by the carrier name, the policy number, and the policy expiry date recorded on the Practitioner Record. The policy shall name the Veterinarian as the insured and shall not exclude telemedicine or telehealth practice. A policy that covers only in-person practice does not satisfy this clause.
(c) A criminal background check covering each state of residence and licensure for the prior seven (7) years. The following are disqualifying: a felony conviction related to controlled substances, fraud, or animal cruelty; a misdemeanor conviction involving animal cruelty; and listing on a state or federal exclusion list, including the lists maintained by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the U.S. General Services Administration. Other criminal history is assessed case by case under Article 4.
(d) Education verification: a DVM or VMD degree from a program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association, confirmed through the school or through the licensing board's education record, with passage of the national licensing examination on record with a licensing board. A graduate of a foreign program shall provide an ECFVG or PAVE certificate.
(e) Two professional references from licensed veterinarians who have worked with the applicant in a clinical setting. A reference who cannot speak to the applicant's clinical competence does not satisfy this clause. The Company contacts both references.
(f) A current, signed Form W-9. Payouts are not made, and activation does not occur, without it.
3.2 Registration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is required only where the Veterinarian's services through the Platform require it. Prescribing of controlled substances through Platform telemedicine is prohibited by the Controlled Substances (Controlled Substances Policy) document, so DEA registration is not a credentialing requirement for Platform practice. If that prohibition changes, DEA verification becomes a requirement under this article on the same date.
3.3 Credentialing Status moves to verified only when each item in clause 3.1 is evidenced and the verification date is recorded. A file that is complete except for one item remains pending.
Article 4: Assessment of Disciplinary and Adverse History
4.1 A resolved board disciplinary action in the Veterinarian's history is not an automatic bar to credentialing. The Company assesses whether the history indicates a risk to patients seen through the Platform, weighing (a) the nature of the conduct, with findings concerning clinical competence and prescribing weighing more heavily than administrative deficiencies;
(b) the time elapsed and the record since, with an isolated, older action followed by a clean record treated as context, and a pattern of actions in one or more states treated as disqualifying; and
(c) candor, including whether the applicant disclosed the action on the application and provided the board order.
4.2 Failure to disclose a known disciplinary action on the application is itself grounds for rejection, independent of the underlying action.
4.3 Unresolved discipline is a bar until resolved. An open investigation with interim practice restrictions, a stayed suspension with conditions, and probation with monitoring each bar credentialing and continued participation until the matter is closed. The Company does not substitute its judgment for a board's judgment while a board proceeding is pending.
Article 5: Disclosure Duties and Re-Credentialing
5.1 The Veterinarian shall disclose an Adverse Event to the Company within five (5) business days of the event or of learning of the event, whichever is earlier. Adverse Events subject to this duty include board discipline in any state, a malpractice judgment or settlement, a license restriction, and a criminal charge relevant to practice.
5.2 Full re-credentialing occurs every twenty-four (24) months and includes a fresh background check, license re-verification under the License Verification document, a current insurance certificate, and an updated Form W-9 where any particular has changed.
5.3 Immediate re-credentialing is triggered, regardless of position in the twenty-four (24) month cycle, by: a license status change in any state; expiry or cancellation of professional liability insurance; a board disciplinary event; or a gap in Platform practice exceeding twelve (12) months. A Veterinarian returning after such a gap shall complete re-credentialing before the first Consultation following the return.
Article 6: Insurance Lapse and Departure Coverage
6.1 The Company monitors the professional liability policy expiry date recorded for each Veterinarian. If renewal evidence is not provided within fifteen (15) days after expiry, booking privileges are suspended automatically until coverage is restored and evidenced. The fifteen (15) day period is a period for completing evidence of renewal; it is not a period in which practice without current coverage is permitted. The Veterinarian shall not conduct a Consultation while coverage has lapsed, and a Consultation conducted during a coverage gap is addressed under the Vet Suspension, Deactivation, and Reinstatement document.
6.2 On deactivation or departure, the Company shall confirm that tail or extended-reporting coverage is in place for the period required by the applicable limitations period in each state of practice. Departure is not complete until coverage for past acts is confirmed or the Company's own coverage responds to the risk.
Article 7: Records and Adverse Decisions
7.1 The Company retains the Credentialing File for the duration of the participation relationship and for seven (7) years thereafter.
7.2 Where the Company rejects an application on credentialing grounds, the Company shall state the decision in writing with the specific basis, identifying the item that failed and, where cure is possible, the evidence that cures it. Where cure is not possible, including a revoked license or a disqualifying conviction, the written decision shall state that plainly. A credentialing rejection is final; the applicant may apply again when the underlying facts change.
Article 8: Liability
8.1 To the fullest extent permitted by law, neither party is liable to the other for indirect, incidental, special, punitive, or consequential damages, or for lost profits, lost revenue, or loss of goodwill, arising out of or relating to this document, even if the party has been advised of the possibility of those damages.
8.2 To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company's total liability arising out of or relating to this document shall not exceed the greater of (a) the amounts the Veterinarian paid to the Company under this document in the twelve months before the event giving rise to the claim, or (b) one hundred dollars ($100).
8.3 This article does not limit (a) a party's indemnification obligations under this document; (b) liability for fraud or willful misconduct; (c) amounts the Veterinarian owes for fees, chargebacks, or refunds under this document; or (d) liability that cannot be limited under applicable law.
8.4 Nothing in this article limits liability for personal injury or injury to an animal caused by negligence, where applicable law does not permit the limitation.
8.5 The Company is not a veterinary practice and does not provide veterinary services. Credentialing is the Company's participation review; it is not a Company representation of clinical competence, and it does not transfer the Veterinarian's professional responsibility to the Company. No provision of this document promises a clinical outcome.
8.6 The parties agree that this article allocates risk between them, that it is an essential part of the basis of their bargain, and that it applies even if a limited remedy fails of its essential purpose.
Article 9: Indemnification
9.1 The Veterinarian shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Company and its members, managers, employees, and agents from and against every claim, demand, action, loss, liability, judgment, settlement, cost, and expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to: (a) the Veterinarian's breach of this document; (b) the Veterinarian's services, consultations, listings, or User Content; (c) the Veterinarian's violation of any law or of the rights of any person; and (d) taxes for which the Veterinarian is responsible under this document.
9.2 The Company shall give prompt written notice of a claim under this article. The Veterinarian shall control the defense with counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company. The Company may participate in the defense at its own expense. The Veterinarian shall not settle a claim in a manner that imposes any obligation or restriction on the Company, or that does not release the Company fully, without the Company's prior written consent.
9.3 This article survives the termination of this document.
Article 10: Enforcement and Appeals
10.1 The Company may investigate any suspected violation of this document. The Veterinarian shall cooperate with an investigation and shall produce the records this document requires the Veterinarian to keep.
10.2 If the Company determines that the Veterinarian has violated this document, the Company shall give written notice stating the provision violated and the facts relied on, except where notice would compromise an investigation of fraud, a safety risk, or a legal obligation.
10.3 Where a violation is capable of cure, the Veterinarian has ten (10) business days from notice to cure it and to confirm the cure in writing. No cure period applies to fraud, counterfeiting, a risk to the safety of a person or an animal, unlawful conduct, or a violation that by its nature cannot be cured.
10.4 If a violation is established and is not cured within the period allowed, the Company may, proportionate to the violation: (a) issue a written warning; (b) remove or suppress a listing or content; (c) cancel an Order or a booking; (d) suspend the Account or a program participation, in whole or in part; (e) terminate this document and the Account; and (f) exercise any other right or remedy available under this document or at law.
10.5 The Company may suspend the Veterinarian immediately, without prior notice and without a cure period, where a license lapses, expires, is suspended, or is revoked, where insurance lapses under Article 6, or where a risk to the safety of a person or an animal arises, as provided in the License Verification document and the Vet Suspension, Deactivation, and Reinstatement document. The Company may hold disbursements to the Veterinarian while an investigation under this article is pending, and shall release amounts not required to satisfy the Veterinarian's obligations when the investigation closes.
10.6 The Veterinarian may appeal a measure under this article by written notice to legal@aapawz.com within thirty (30) days of the measure, stating the grounds and attaching the records relied on. The appeal is decided by a person who did not make the original decision. The Company's decision on appeal is final. A measure remains in effect during an appeal unless the Company directs otherwise in writing.
10.7 The Company's delay in acting on a violation is not a waiver of the violation or of any later violation of the same kind.
Article 11: Term and Termination
11.1 This document takes effect when the Veterinarian applies for or is accepted into participation and continues until terminated under this article.
11.2 The Company may terminate this document and the Account on thirty (30) days' written notice for any reason, and immediately on written notice if the Veterinarian materially breaches this document, engages in fraud, or becomes ineligible to participate.
11.3 The Veterinarian may terminate this document on thirty (30) days' written notice to support@aapawz.com, provided the Veterinarian has no Order, booking, or investigation outstanding.
11.4 On termination: (a) the rights granted under this document end; (b) obligations that arose before termination: including payment, refund, chargeback, record-keeping, and indemnification obligations: survive until satisfied; and (c) the Company shall disburse amounts owed, less amounts the Company may set off under this document, within thirty (30) days, except amounts held in connection with an open investigation or dispute.
11.5 The Definitions, Liability, Indemnification, Enforcement and Appeals (for measures taken before termination), Dispute Resolution, and General Provisions articles survive termination.
Article 12: Dispute Resolution
12.1 Any dispute arising out of or relating to this document, or to the relationship it governs, is governed by the Dispute Resolution Policy, which is incorporated into this document by reference.
Article 13: General Provisions
13.1 The Company may amend this document by posting the amended document in the Document Center and giving notice to the Veterinarian at the email address in the Account. An amendment that materially increases the Veterinarian's fees or obligations takes effect thirty (30) days after notice; other amendments take effect on posting. Continued use of the Platform after the effective date of an amendment is acceptance of it. If the Veterinarian does not accept an amendment, the Veterinarian's remedy is to terminate under the Term and Termination article before the amendment takes effect.
13.2 Legal notices under this document shall be sent to legal@aapawz.com. Operational notices and all other communications shall be sent to support@aapawz.com. A notice to the Company is effective when the Company acknowledges receipt or, for email, one business day after sending, whichever is earlier. Notices to the Veterinarian are effective when sent to the email address in the Account or posted to the Account's notice facility in the portal, whichever occurs first. The Veterinarian shall keep the email address in the Account current. Notices under the DMCA and Copyright Policy are given as provided in that policy, to the designated agent at legal@aapawz.com.
13.3 This document is governed by the laws of the State of Tennessee, without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules. Subject to the Dispute Resolution Policy, any proceeding arising out of this document shall be brought in the state or federal courts located in Shelby County, Tennessee, and the parties consent to personal jurisdiction there. The practice of veterinary medicine under this document is governed by the law of the state in which the patient is located.
13.4 If any provision of this document is held unenforceable, the provision shall be enforced to the fullest extent permitted, and the remaining provisions continue in full effect.
13.5 This document, together with the documents it incorporates by reference, is the entire agreement between the Company and the Veterinarian for the subject it governs and supersedes every prior or contemporaneous statement, communication, or agreement on that subject, whether written or oral.
13.6 The Veterinarian shall not assign this document or any right or obligation under it without the Company's prior written consent, and an assignment without consent is void. The Company may assign this document to an affiliate or in connection with a sale of all or part of its business, on notice to the Veterinarian.
13.7 A waiver of any provision of this document is effective only in writing and only for the instance stated. No waiver is a waiver of any other provision or instance.
13.8 Headings are for convenience only. "Including" means "including without limitation." This document shall not be construed against a party on the ground that the party prepared this document. The English-language text controls over any translation.
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