As a long time practice owner, having previously worked for two excellent veterinary practices (one in California and one in Martinsville), and also having worked in this area as a relief veterinarian for numerous practices over an 18 month  period, I feel well qualified to respond to this petition. I have seen many different ways veterinarians practice veterinary medicine, know of many different philosophies of practice, and have experienced many different qualities of practices. There are bound to be different individual teaching styles found among the veterinary profession. How is one to know that the quality and instruction of the student externship experience is going to be appropriate, and geared toward an impressionable veterinary student? Also, how is a practitioner to alert the public that a veterinary student will, in some way, be involved with their pet's care? Veterinary students paying $40,000+ a year should only be taught under approved, up to date, and excellent quality teaching veterinarians. That can only be done within the configns of a teaching hospital, unless private practice veterinary clinics that would serve as externship qualifiers be trained and taught in some organized manner.