(a) No veterinarian licensed under the provisions of this chapter or members of the same profession duly licensed to practice in other states of the United States, who voluntarily and gratuitously and other than in the course of his or her employment or practice renders emergency veterinary assistance to an animal in need of assistance, is liable for civil damages for any injuries that result from acts or omissions by those persons in rendering the emergency care, which may constitute ordinary negligence.
(b) The immunity granted by this section does not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross negligence.