Upon graduation, veterinary students are expected to be proficient in regards to technical skills and medical procedures.  However, without having the opportunity to practice and perfect these skills until 4th year, this becomes an unfair expectation.  This is due to the fact that there is not enough time or resources for ~120 students to practice a skill enough times to become confident and proficient at a given technique.  Therefore, students are graduating and practicing medicine, with perhaps only having practiced a given technique a few times, and are expected to be an expert.  Is this the type of doctor you want to be responsible for your pet's life?  I doubt it.  

As a first-year veterinary student I strongly support this petition so that my classmates and I can have more opportunities to practice techniques, under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, that we have learned about in the curriculum but that the curriculum and teaching hospital has not been able to allow enough resources or time for myself and my classmates to master these necessary skills.  When passing this legislation, I think it is very important for each owner to be aware of the fact that a veterinary student would be practicing on their pet, and each owner should be able to deny the student an opportunity to practice on their pet.  However, not passing this legislation does not allow the opportunity for veterinary students to practice on pet's belonging to owner's who are comfortable with a student learning from their pet.

To all pet owners reading this, please keep in mind that our goal as veterinary students and future veterinarians is to maintain and care for the well being of your animals.  Not to cause harm.  I truly believe that all parties involved would benefit from the passing of this legislation.  Licensed veterinarians are wonderful mentors that are able to pass along important "tricks of the trade" not described in text books.  Veterinary students would be able to gain confidence and proficiency in performing certain skills.  Lastly, pet owners will know that graduating veterinary students are truly as prepared as possible to practice veterinary medicine.