As someone who grew up in a dog show family, keeping dogs, cats, horses and cattle on the family land. I must say this proposal is poorly thought out. Giving access to living animals before the necessary education is completed is not in the best interest of the practioner, the animal or the animal owner. Reorganizing the final year for primary hands on practice AFTER all the main educational goals are met is far better and far less likely to result in misdiagnosis, mal-practice, and resultant lawsuits. Cause if some undereducated undergrad, makes a mistake while an overworked and under-attentive supervising faculty member was lounging nearby and my animal, worth thousands of dollars dies, I guarentee a lawsuit.