Deregulating students without clear, written guidelines for safe practice, supervision, and owner consent fails to meet minimum standards of protection for pets and the public.

How will appropriate supervision be regulated and determined?  What is the consequence if a first-year student harms or kills a beloved pet due to poor or no supervision by a licensed veterinarian?  Can owners expect a satisfactory resolution to complaints about a student to the Board if the Board changed regulations to allow that level of practice in the first place?  

The Board needs to (1) clarify its expectations for training, (2) require owner consent for any and all care by students, and (3) make incompetent or impaired vets, students, veterinary hospitals, and veterinary schools accountable for unsafe practices.