I absolutely belief that the enhancement of veterinary technician requirements to strengthen their animal behavioral expertise is an absolutely essential and irrefutable objective.

I hope that serious consideration will be given to this important petition.

As a  Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) for almost 30 years, I am in favor of requiring Vet Tech students to complete an animal behavior class. LVTs handle all types of animals who are often stressed, scared, experincing pain or sicknesses therefore, the restraint techniques and general handling of these patients is essential for everyones safety and well being. This is a win win situation for everyone involved: both 2 legged and 4 legged! Signed Hilleary Bogley, LVT, President & Founder Middleburg HUmane Foundation

As a  Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) for almost 30 years, I am in favor of requiring Vet Tech students to complete an animal behavior class. LVTs handle all types of animals who are often stressed, scared, experincing pain or sicknesses therefore, the restraint techniques and general handling of these patients is essential for everyones safety and well being. This is a win win situation for everyone involved: both 2 legged and 4 legged! Signed Hilleary Bogley, LVT, President & Founder Middleburg Humane Foundation

All dogs deserve compassionate veterinary care regardless of their background - especially in their twilight years when they are feeling poorly and may forget to be on their best behavior!

I fully support the amendment of section 121, requirements for licensure of veterinary technicians, to require completion of training in animal behavior through a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist.

Thanks. Ilona Lantos

 

I think it is very important for vet techs to be trained in understanding animal behavior in order to better treat and care for animals. Please pass the petition.

I've been an animal lover my whole life. I think it's very important for Vets to be properly trained, on how to treat the animals and family members we love. Especially since animals are very sensitive to people's emotions and attitude. I fully support this petition. Please pass it. It will only make a vet's customers/patients happier and more satisfied. All good things. 

I have had cats and dogs as part of our family for my entire life and it has been challenging at times to find a vet that really understands them. Going to the vet is a stressful activity during the best of times and during the end of life stage we just want our pets to be as comfortable as possible. By requiring training in animal behavior and be Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists, technicians will have a stronger foundation to both advise patients and interact with our pets. It will make our Virginia vetrinary services that much stronger. Better for everyone. Please amend Section 121, requirements for vetrinary technicians, to include this certification.

This type of training is critical for anyone who deals with animals.  It is a little shocking to hear the vet techs are not required at least basic skills in this area.  There has been so much research done recently in anmal behavior, specifically in regard to dogs that seems to indicate that they are smarter and more empathetic than we imagined, but may have suspected.

I knew Fox and he was a gentle old man.  I am sure that he could have his moments if in pain or moved into pain.  All dogs do.  I am so sad that he is not here today because of probable ignorance.

RIP, Fox.

Understanding behavior is fundamental to the care of anyone who is ailing, especially with regards to animals where many conditions are not well understood or safety may be a concern.  I strongly urge you to address this weakness in the training of veterinary technicians.

Animal behavior training is needed for veterinary technicians so they can properly handle sick and frightened animals.  Veterinary technicians are often on their own when treating animals and should know how to reduce stress to keep animals and themselves safe and well during the process.

I oppose the proposal to require Veterinary technicians be taught a course in animal behavior taught by a certified applied animal behaviorist.  This proposal is unnecessary and restrictive.  Both of the veterinary technoogy programs in Virginia are accredited by the CVTEA of the American Veterinary Medical Association, which already requires veterianry technicians receive instruction in animal behavior. These courses are taught by licensed veterinarians.  The AVMA recognizes these instructors as qualified to teach these courses.  The Veterinary Technician National Exam, administered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards, includes test questions on animal behavior.  All veterinary technicians licensed in VA are required to be graduates of an AVMA accredited program and have a passing score on the VTNE.  Graduates of both BRCC and NVCC have for decades scored well above the national average in all categories on the VTNE, indicating the excellent job of instruction provided at both schools.  I see absolutely no reason  to require courses in animal behavior be taught by a CAAB.  While their education may be deemed adequate to teach such a course, I feel they are no more qualified than those already teaching these courses and the perspective of a veterinarian teaching this course material to veterinary technians makes sense and meets the rigorous standards set by the AVMA, CVTEA and AAVSB.  Clearly, every LVT in Virgina has already taken a course in animal behavior. 

I oppose a requirement for Veterinary Technicians in Virginia to have a class in animal behavior taught by a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist. I am a graduate of the LVT program at Blue Ridge Community College.  Our coursework included animal behavior, taught by a DVM.  I believe the knowlege gained from a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine to be at least equal to, and most likely superior than that received from any other source.  Any technician with a desire to learn more in this field already has the option to take Continuing Edcation classes in behavior, perhaps from a CAAB.

I oppose this proposal based on the fact that LVTs already receive instruction in behavior.  Instruction is provided in Tech programs by licensed Veterinarians according the the requirements of the AVMA and CVTEA.  Adding to this model in the state of Virginia would put an additional burden on the existing programs in Va,, students and current technicians.  

If we are going to require additional certification for behavior teachers, are we also going to require other subjects be taught by a specialist? A quality curriculum does not need to be taught by a specialist.  The pass rates for the VTNE by students in programs in Virginia should be proof enough that the current courses are more than adequate for licensure. As with any specialty in veterinary medicine, there are plenty of opportunities for technicians to advance themselves in multiple areas of interest, including behavior.  

Students are already taught courses in animal behavior. It is a prerequisite for graduation and licensure. If there are programs that aren't teaching this to their students, then they should not be given accreditation.

Secondly, is this "specialist" going to be providing information on species other than cats and dogs? Not all LVTs go into practices that treat these animals. I for one have spent the last 10+ years working in exotic animal medicine. Are you prepared to have your "specialist in animal behavior" teach students how to understand avian, reptilian, small mammal, and amphibian demeanors?  

Opposed, I took a very informative session of animal behavior in school.  I chose to continue my behavior education just as anyone else can if they so choose.  It is everyone's right to continue their education in certain areas after graduation, hence the specialties that are available to LVTs in Virginia.

This proposal creates a redundant requirement. Virginia LVTs receive behavioral training as part of their required schooling from an accredited program. This requirement is taught by educationprofessionals who are best suited to assess student proficiency as opposed to behaviorists who strive to achieve animal/owner compliance.

Oppose behavior course.  AVMA already requires vet tech programs to teach animal behavior.

As the author of the original petition, I think it may be helpful if I provide some context.  The petition is posted in abbreviated form on this website, and so its purpose and rationale may not be completely clear to those who read it. 

I have personally rescued animals for over 20 years, and volunteered with multiple animal advocacy organizations for most of this time.  I have spent well into the six figures on veterinary care alone - most of this in Virginia.  I have also spent hundreds of hours accompanying animals to dozens of veterinary care facilities in Virginia and other states.

A Licensed Veterinary Technician is generally the first person to have contact with an animal when that animal comes into a veterinary practice.  Some animals behave well in a veterinary setting - but many, experiencing fear or pain, do not. I know from firsthand experience that some LVTs are brilliant at managing the behavior of anxious animals, while others have no idea what to do.  Some of the LVTs who have no idea what to do may have taken the required behavior course and done well on the test.  Some may have been trained outside Virginia and not received such training.  In any event, at this point, all that matters is the LVT's ability to use applied behavioral knowledge to manage the situation.  If the LVT does this well, he or she does not get hurt, and the animal can be successfully treated.  If the LVT does this poorly, he or she may be bitten, scratched, or otherwise injured by the animal.  The practice may then refuse to treat the animal.  In the best case, the animal guardian may find another nearby vet to provide comparable treatment.  If specialty care is needed, the animal guardian may be forced to travel to a veterinarian in another state.  In the worst case, the animal may die before another qualified veterinary practice can be located.

A requirement for Licensed Veterinary Technicians to receive training through a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist is good for all Virginia LVTs because it can help to keep you employed, and help keep you safe while you are on the job.  It is good for the animals we all love because it can help to ensure that they will receive life-saving treatment when they need it. 

LVTs are already required to take a course in animal behavior.  In both Virginia schools these courses are taught by veterinians.There are already rigorous requirements for AVMA accreditation of the Vet Tech program and the excellent instruction being provided in the vet tech program by veterinarians.

Veterinary technicians already obtain animal behavior training as part of their curriculum. 

The study of animal behavior is already an essential part of the training for veterinary technicians in the state of virginia. 

This proposal offers nothing new to the curriculum of LVTs. In fact, it makes it more difficult to get teachers for an animal behavior class in LVT school. The animal behavior class that is already taught in school is taught by veterinarians. This proposal limits the people available to teach this type of class to about 50 people in the nation with this type of higher education in animal behavior. It's important that we support the current accreditation of LVTs, not make it more difficult for schools to offer classes that already exist.

Veterinary technology students in VA already receive instruction in animal behavior-both theoretical and applied. Additionally, behavior topics are commonly available at continuing education offerings. 

I oppose the propsed rule because it is redundant.  Such course is already required for a program  to be accredited to offer a degree  in Veterinary Technology.  The Code of Viriginia requires that Vet Tech.  have to graduate from an accredited program in orde to be licensed.

I am opposed to this petition for rulemaking.  Animal behavior training is already provided in accredited programs for LVTs in Virginia. Terry L. Taylor, DVM

Reading recent comments, I see that further background will be helpful.

First, a specific example.  In January of this year, I took my dog for a procedure at a specialist practice.  A veterinary technician tried to start the procedure before a sedative required by the doctor had taken effect.  The vet tech clearly could not read some basic signals in the dog's behavior, even after I told her that she needed to wait a bit longer for the sedative to kick in.  The vet tech then reported that the dog bit her, the practice cancelled the dog's treatment, and the dog died three weeks later.

After this experience, I contacted the American Veterinary Medical Association and Virginia Veterinary Medical Association for advice on how to prevent situations like this from happening in the future - how to prevent veterinary technicians from being hurt, and ensure that animals would have better access to life-saving care.  Both associations referred me to the Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine.  I spoke at length with a representative of the Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine office, who told me that there is no regulatory requirement for veterinary technicians practicing in Virginia to receive training in animal behavior. 

Some of those commenting here have argued that there is a requirement for Virginia veterinary technicians to receive animal behavior training.  If there is, then the mechanism for enforcing this requirement should not be a secret to veterinary clients, and certainly should not be a secret to the Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine's own personnel.  The two major veterinary technician programs in our state do offer some training in animal behavior - a full course at Blue Ridge Community College, and part of one course at Northern Virginia Community College.  Neither institution clearly states that the course is required.  And what of the smaller veterinary technician training programs, some of which seem to come and go every few years?  What about veterinary technicians who are trained outside of Virginia, who come into Virginia to practice?

If there is already a requirement that veterinary technicians receive training in animal behavior, experiences like mine indicate that such training is not sufficiently applied.  This is why my petition calls specifically for behavioral training to be conducted by a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist. CAABs are full-time professionally educated animal behaviorists.  Some are veterinarians who have completed a residency in animal behavior.  Others are veterinary technicians, or have consulted extensively with veterinary professionals.  

Having worked with rescue animals for over 20 years, having spent hundreds of hours accompanying animals to veterinary practices and well over a hundred thousand dollars on veterinary care, I believe veterinary technicians should be given the tools necessary to do their jobs safely, and that all animals should be given access to life-saving treatment.   Training in applied animal behavior is absolutely fundamental.

What happened with the isolated incident you described is indeed unfortunate. What you didn't mention is all the times in the past 20 years when your animals were appropriately handledby a vet tech. 

All vet tech programs accredited by tbe AVMA are required to provide instruction in animal behavior. While some programs may list this instruction as part of another course I assure you tbat each and every time an animal is handled in the context of the vet tech program, principles of applied animal behavior are part of the instruction students are provided. In order for a vet tech to become licensed in VA, they must be a graduate of an AVMA accredited vet tech program, so even if someone got their education outside af Va, they will have had training in animal behavior.

I oppose this because of the redundancy of training.  Technicians can seek out additional training as needed or desired based on an individual basis.

Animal behavior instruction has fortunately become more widespread in veterinary medical and veterinary technical education.  I believe the current curriculum already has required animal behavior classes and instruction, and I believe this should continue.  But the code does not need to be amended as this is already in place.

I oppose this petition because animal behavior training is already provided in accredited programs for LVTs in Virginia. There is no reason to burden LVTs with additional, redundant training when they have already received animal behavior training through classes that meet the requirements of the AVMA.  The author stated that one way Certifed Applied Animal Behaviorists can achieve their position is through "extensive consultation with veterinary professionals."  In my opinion, that seems too vague of a qualification.  Taking animal behavior courses at an AVMA accredited institution seems like much more legitimate training than being taught by someone who only has "consulted with veterinary professionals."