To whom it may concern--?

If you no longer allow unlicensed veterinary assistants to monitor sedate or intubated patients, it would inhibit the potential of younger veterinary generations to come.

When I first started with VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital, I was not equipped with the vetertinary expirience that I have today. Never did I expect to be in this field surrounded by dogs, cats, and other wild life.

Growing up in the busy city of Alexandria my childhood and teenage years were spent on various sport teams and hanging out with friends. Sports are a very important building block in young teenage lives because it teaches self-control, sportsmanship, and most of all team work. All the values that we hold here at VCA Alexandria. Every day is a blessing because of the impact we make on eachothers lives and the animals.

Because of the dedication and hard work of our administrative and supervisory team here at VCA, I have had the honor of monitoring for many types of surguries and procedures. If not for anesthesia I would have never have found this passion.

It is hard to believe that myself, a young man who only enjoyed playing basketball and chasing around "the ladies" also graduationg high school with only a 2.0 GPA along with low self esteem would be welcomed with open arms into a family who not only care about themselves but the well-being of the animals that walk through the door.

I look in the mirror with pride now that I can say my life has evolved to being a team player, a B+ student with a 3.5 GPA in college, along with being a mentor to younger generations mentoring telling them the sky is the limit! All because of the love at first sight with anesthesia monitoring. 

New hires and a few less expirienced staff whether it was an LVT, assisistant and on occassions doctors began to ask me questions about trouble shooting machines or how to fix a problem when something starts to malfunction. Just simple things like that makes a person feel of value to a team, get more knowlege on basic to critical anesthesia monitoring, knowing there is much more to learn has ignighted a spark in me to become not only to reach for the stars for myself, but to also help others  surpass what I have and will do; past and present.

The Veterinary Technician demand is at an all-time high. Without letting assistants learn to monitor anesthesia, it may potentially suppress the desire of other men and women, young and old to pursue an education to become an LVT not knowing their hidden potential to become successful and not feel disposable in the work place.

Although I was awarded an LVT scholarship it still will not stop me from standing up for the next assistant whos eyes light up when a scaple blade is pulled out and the surgery start time begins.  

Thank you for your consideration,

Khalfani Carr, Emergency Veterinary Assistant