I am dismayed and, frankly, appalled, that a veterinary medical school can substitute student practice for professional veterinary care without informing owners of this fact at Virginia Tech. This is made far worse by the fact that, being a university veterinary medical facility, pet owners are bringing very sick animals to the insitution to seek specialized and potentially life-saving medical care. They are receiving far less than what they believe they are receiving, much less paying for, and this is a violation of the trust that citizens are placing in the institution. It places their pets at unacceptable risk, of which they are unaware. 

I seek out the best veterinary care of my pets and have traveled to The Life Center, The Hope Center, Southpaws and Veterinary Orthopedic and Sports Medicine. My experience with veterinary care ranges from oncology and amputation to physical therapy, orthopedics, nutrition, internal medicine, and holistic medicine. Knowing what I know about Virginia Tech's undisclosed practices, I would NEVER bring a pet there for care. Word is spreading about this and many others feel the same way. 

If Virginia Tech does not adopt more stringent standards of care, their reputation will just continue to sink. The performance by a student of ANY task which ordinarily requires licensure MUST require owner consent, not just notification. Furthermore, only advanced students should be performing medical care.