Allowing unlicensed staff to perform this procedure undermines the education of the licensed veterinary technician and places the patient at unnecessary risk. Training earned by licensed veterinary professionals provides not only the essential skillset necessary to place an intravenous catheter, but the understanding of the risks and possible complications involved. This is the purpose of this licensure, and veterinarians and practice managers should value and respect it.

We know this amendment and those like it are prompted by busy practices searching for ways to deal with high volumes of patients and fewer licensed technicians than assistants available for hire. This is not a problem that can be solved by allowing unlicensed staff to perform invasive procedures. These types of amendments are detrimental to the overall level of patient care in our community, as they only serve to further devalue LVTs - individuals who are already often overworked, underpaid and undervalued. Decisions that demotivate individuals from seeking licensure and prompt many of those already licensed to question their choice of career are not decisions that better our community.