The purpose of regulations and this Board in part is to protect the public.  The Board has a duty to protect the public and allowing unlicensed students to work on our furry family members needs very specific guidelines.

As noted by others I specifically support—

• The requirement for written informed consent for surgical procedures at the time of the procedure

• The requirement that any student performance of surgery be included in the consent

• The requirement that the supervising veterinarian be present in the operating area at any time that a student is performing surgery.

Actual notice with discussions to include risks and benefits must be provided at the time of the procedure.  It should not and cannot be a generic statement that the client sign that states the vet clinic has students who may assist the veterinarians.  It has to be signed each and every time the student is going to do anything invasive to the pet. 

Question for the Board, if you allow this, will you also regulate the students?  If the student does something to harm the pet, will the student be subject to investigation?   If students are allowed to work on our pets with our specific written signed consent, then they should be regulated as any licensed veterinarian or tech.  And subject to disciplinary action. Or will you tell the owner that you do not have jurisdiction over students?

On a personal note, if this is approved, I will be sending a certified letter to my vet stating that students are not permitted to care for my pets in any manner except for observation.  I will not take my pets to any vets who allow students to perform invasive techniques on the pets especially if the owner does not have the protection of a strong informed consent requirement.

Respectfully submitted,

Molly Mittens Mom (may she rest in peace following the care she received by a “licensed vet”)  What harm might a student do?