Guide to the Responsible Care & Use of Laboratory Animals at UWM

Chapter XI:   Training

Chapter XI pdf format, Adobe Acrobat Required(for printing)

  1. The AWA regulations, the PHS Policy and the “Guide” require that all personnel caring for, treating or using animals be qualified to perform duties.
  2. Training Opportunities at UWM

    1. General training

      1. Individuals handling animals

        The Veterinarian or the lab manager provides general training for all individuals handling animals. This is accomplished in individual or group sessions on an as-needed basis. It is based on the manual “Guide for the Responsible Care and Use of Animals in Teaching and Research”. Successful completion of a multiple-choice exam based on this training is required to become “Certified” to handle animals.

      2. Individuals using animals in teaching classes or observing animals.

        There is a long and short version of a training handout entitled, “Use of Live Animals in Teaching Classes and Observational Field Studies”. All instructors and teaching assistants should be familiar with the long version. The short version should be incorporated into the class syllabus. The long and short versions of the training handout can also be used for individuals doing observational field studies.

        The handout will refer individuals to the animal care program’s webpage for further information and to review the occupational health program. Students in teaching classes and individuals doing observational field studies are not required to go through the general training and completion of the exam.

      3. Facilities training

        This training is provided by the lab manager or veterinarian on an as-needed basis for all individuals who will use the campus animal facilities. The training covers the handling of animals, location of supplies, telephones, fire exits, safety concerns including the use of personal protective equipment and equipment use.

      4. Surgery training

        The veterinarian will provide surgery and anesthesia training on an as-needed basis. All individuals who perform surgery are expected to review the rodent surgery training cdrom and the pertinent information in this training manual. More information can be found on the animal care program webpage: http://www.safety.uwm.edu/.

      5. Animal Care Program Review Presentation

        The veterinarian will provide a power point presentation on the animal care program to large groups if requested. There are handouts on the animal care program that accompany this presentation.

      6. Lab Animal Caretakers

        The veterinarian or lab manager will provide animal husbandry training for the lab animal caretakers on campus. Investigators or staff will provide husbandry training to individuals taking care of aquatic animal vertebrates.

      7. IACUC training

        IACUC members will be trained by the veterinarian when they first join the committee. They will be expected to read the “Guide”, the UWM Assurance and be familiar with all applicable regulations. They will be encouraged to take the VA online course for IACUC training. A training scenario will be presented at each IACUC meeting by the veterinarian or lab manager for continuing education.

        Members will also be kept up-to-date on any changes in the regulations or on items of interest to the IACUC by the veterinarian. They will also be informed of the IACUC listserve that they may opt to receive.

  3. Continuing Education

    The veterinarian and lab manager will circulate all relevant information they come across on list-serves, websites, magazines and books to the appropriate parties. They will also try to attend professional meetings and seminars relating to the animal care program and circulate appropriate information they obtain from them. There will be a continuing education topic scheduled at each IACUC meeting.

  4. References

    A dedicated reference library has been established for the animal care program that provides a source of pertinent materials (including audio-visual aids) on many aspects of animal care and use. This library is continually updated. The animal care program also maintains an updated and informative webpage with many pertinent links.

Updated April 20, 2007 by SAK