As an LVT in a rural area, I completely understand the frustration behind those supporting the ideas of an assistant placing an I V catheter however, I do not support it. I WORKED in the veterinary field as an assistant for nearly 12 years before I became licensed and I was confident that I could have placed an I v catheter in my patients before I became licensed but I did not do so until I was a student in training. I worked full time and was a full time online student taking just 2 years to become an LVT. I realize thst not everyone can do this due to location, finances and other day to day factors but I also feel that by allowing on site trained assistants to do what I do as an educated and licensed profession8, you are devaluing my education and training. I have worked with good assistants and I value them and everything they do me and my patients but placing catheters is not a task that I would hand over to them. If you start taking my technical skills and handing them down, what will be the use in my maintaining my license....paying hundreds a year for CE and staying current in veterinary medicine? Will LVTs be given expanded duties to make our licenses meaningful? Support your Let's and if you have an assistant that wants to expand his/her duties, help them with an education to do so.