Below is the corrected  version of the proposed regulatory change and I am writing in support of this change.  I am horrified to read other comments stating that veterinarians and technicians have more important things to do in the course of their busy day than stay on premesis when a patient is recovering from anesthesia.  Seriously?  We are all taught that recovery is one of the most high risk times in an anesthetic episode and clearly there have been enough cases presented to the Board to prompt this clarification.  It seems like common sense, but clearly is not.

For those practitioners who are convinced that their on the job assistants are as well trained as a LVT, perhaps they would be willing to have their cleints sign a consent giving permission for someone who is not licensed/educated specifically in anesthesia monitoring & emergencies to monitor their pet throughout their anesthesia event.  The board is requesting a change in current regs that would require a consent from clients when vet students and vet tech students are working on their pets, so why not include unlicensed, unregulated assistants in that as well?  I expect that the pet owners of Virginia expect better than that!

Is the problem truly that there are not enough LVTs. There are many options for education for LVTs now but people are leaving the profession faster than new LVTs are entering.  Perhaps it is time to stop sticking our heads in the sand and start taking the actions necessary to keep LVTs practicing for more than 4-5 years on average.