Animal Welfare Programme for Vets Announced
Posted By Freelance Writers Date: 6/05 Posted Under: Animal Welfare, Pet IndustryThe World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has re-launched its internationally respected Concepts in Animal Welfare education programme.
Aimed at veterinary students all over the world, the syllabus has already been adopted by over 250 universities in over 30 countries since it was launched five years ago.
The original 2003 version of the ‘Concepts in Animal Welfare syllabus was the result of a long-standing collaboration with the University of Bristol’s School of Veterinary Medicine, one of the world’s first academic institutions to pioneer animal welfare teaching and research.
New developments in animal welfare, such as the importance of environmental enrichment for captive animals, the welfare of fish, and the welfare implications of inadequate and inappropriate food provision have now been added to this important educational tool.
The revised version comprises 34 interactive modules on CD-ROM and encourages inclusion of specific topics within established veterinary syllabuses. It tackles a diverse range of subjects affecting farm and working animals, wildlife, companion animals and those used in experimentation.
The first version of the syllabus has received endorsement from many professional bodies including the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), World Veterinary Association, Commonwealth Veterinary Association, World Small Animal Veterinary Association, and the Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Association.
Key figures involved in this higher education programme have commented on the newly revised syllabus:
John Webster, Emeritus Professor of Animal Husbandry at the Bristol Veterinary School, said:
“The syllabus is comprehensive because it gives regard to science as the route to the proper understanding of animals, ethics as the route to proper respect for animals, and professional training as the route to converting right thoughts into right action. A programme of study in animal welfare, involving formal teaching, practical experience and supervised self-education, is as essential to the veterinary curriculum as a programme in pathology or surgery.”
Dr. Michael Appleby, WSPA Policy Adviser, added:
“Growing interest in animal welfare generally, and the specific role veterinarians play at local, national and international level, have shaped policies and legislation worldwide.”
Jasmijn de Boo, WSPA Education Manager, concluded,
“Animal welfare science does not feature prominently in some veterinary curricula. This resource, however, will help students and lecturers to impart knowledge, understanding and responsible attitudes towards animals, by stimulating critical thinking about issues, not only during formal training but throughout their veterinary career.”
The CD ROM has been sent to over 800 faculties and WSPA has organised workshops for over 450 veterinary institutes around the world since 2000.
For review copies of Concepts in Animal Welfare and/or for further information, please contact: Jasmijn de Boo, WSPA Education Manager: 0207 587 5031, jasmijndeboo@wspa-international.org
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