Placement of intravenous catheters can save lives in emergency situations, surgical survival, chemo.  Risks to the patient (infection, damaged vessels) can be managed in the majority of cases, especially if central vessels (eg jugular) are preserved.  Persons designated and hired as veterinary assistants (paid as such) can be trained to assist the veterinary staff (veterinarians, LVTs) to place peripheral catheters--cephalic and saphanous veins.  Training should be directly supervised until competency is demonstrated.  This is not support of receptionists, kennel attendees or groomers doing this procedure.  In research, non-LVTs are used frequently as phlebotomists, even in placement of jugular catheters. Given this standard of care, in the absence of LVT or in cases in which LVTs are doing CPR and require assistance, peripheral catheter placement by trained, designated vet asst may make the difference in the survival of the patient.