Could one help a sick dog to a few pieces of meat? (3)
I believe the answer is:
vet
'could' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I don't see how they can define each other.
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for vet that I've seen before include "Critically examine" , "Examine carefully - might one help a lame duck?" , "Scrutinise" , "'Animal doctor, in short (3)'" , "solider once" .)