As a former veterinary assistant and current pet parent, I am strongly against changing the legislation to allow veterinary assistants perform this medical procedure. An animal who needs an intravenous catheter is one who needs a professional LVT or veterinarian to do the job correctly. Recently my dog was extremely sick and arrived at our veterinary practice unable to walk and extremely lethargic. The LVT on staff quickly and correctly inserted an intravenous catheter and my dog immediately began to receive fluids and medication. Had a veterinary assistant been allowed to perform this job, my dog may not have received the immediate care that the LVT was able to give him. This medical procedure needs to be done by someone who has studied and is licensed--not by someone who has learned "on the job" as veterinary assistants do.