There seems to be a general misunderstanding on exactly what is being petitioned for. 

The following points may be helpful:

The veterinary students mentioned in the petition to change legislation would still be under full veterinary supervision. 

Diagnosis, treatment, ethical decisions, and client communication would still be the direct responsibility of the DVM who is supervising and/or employing the veterinary student. Your pets would not receive a lower standard of care subsequent to the passing of this petition. 

This petition, if passed, will raise the future standard of care, because veterinary students (who are going to become veterinarians if they are able to practice these things or not) will have additional and much needed SUPERVISED experience in practical veterinary procedures, prior to their having to practice unsupervised as a licensed DVM.

Many other states (including the elsewhere touted North Carolina) have legislation in place to allow for THIS EXACT THING. This is not a novel or dangerous idea. We are not trying to cut corners or cheapen experiences. 

We are petitioning to raise the quality of veterinarians exiting the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, the same veterinarians who will soon be treating your pets as licensed veterinarians.

Please help us.