Informed consent is one of the hallmarks of our democracy. VA Tech should be supporting this petition as an example of its willingness to be a model for all animal care both in the state and elsewhere. I would willingly give consent to have a student treat my animals for any number of medical procedures, but not for any and all procedures, and as the "owner" of the animal as well as the one who pays the bills, final say should be left up to me. Keeping people in the dark only serves to justify their suspicions.