Veterinary assistants in VA are unfairly limited in the tasks they are allowed to perform.  There is a shortage of veterinary technicians due to the low pay of this position.  Many hospitals are unable to hire an LVT/RVT due to this shortage.  Thus the veterinarian is expected to perform every task in the hospital and this is often extremely burdensome.  Placing an IV catheter is not much different from a blood draw.  Approval of this petition as well as other measures need to be taken to allow veterinary assitants more responsibility in the hospital.