As a student who just completed my externship at a local practice I can say that had this petition passed & the laws been changed prior to my experience I would not have found it as interesting, educational, or beneficial. I can understand owner concerns about students (DVM or LVT) working on their animals however, unlicensed personnel are not attempting "new" tasks on privately owned animals but rather honing the skills & perfecting the tasks we have already been trained to perform but in a realistic environment. I believe these owners should be much more concerned if these students were allowed to be come licensed without any hands on experience & perform tasks they have been taught without any supervision or practice.

     There are currently adequate statutes in place that protect owners and their beloved pets so I feel additional restrictions to learning are not necessary. I also believe that the resulting paperwork & regulations this petition would create, if entered into law, would dissuade any potential mentors from helping students in the future due to the increased taxation on their limited time, manpower, and resources that they already generously spend to educate us during our times with them. 

     In conclusion, I do not feel that additional protections for owners and their pets are necessary, they would hender student learning, and they would potentially create a dangerous environment for patients in the future if unskilled individuals are becoming licensed & operating with no supervision. I appreciate that my opposition and that of my peers & mentors will be taken into consideration during future discussions of this petition.