I do not support this move to allow trained unlicensed staff to place IV catheters. I feel strongly about this for several reasons. First and foremost, it devalues your LVTs. If you are concerned with a technician shortage, then giving away the duties that a technician trains for is not going to encourage them to stay at your practice, nor want to come there if you are hiring and they are looking. Secondly, depending on who the person is doing the training, there could be a great difference in the quality of training. In school we learn the techniques, but also the WHY behind everything we do. Working at a practice in Wyoming, where CVTs are not required, nor encouraged, I saw on a daily basis untrained "Techs" doing things not only incorrectly, but that could lead to injury or illness of the patient. I saw a kennel tech get cross trained and within a week was monitoring anesthsia on her own. This was in the interest of saving money, not the patient. Third, I fear that this is a trend, and that if this passes, they'll come back wanting more rights for untrained assistants, and then where will the field be? Where will the quality care go? Not only do we have to look out for our jobs long term, we have to look out for the pets that come to us. We have to give them the best possible care.