School of Veterinary Nursing receives award

Otago Polytechnic’s School of Veterinary Nursing has been presented a national award in Wellington today recognising their ethical care of animals.

The 2016 National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) 3Rs award recognises strategies which replace, reduce and refine animal use.

Otago Polytechnic School of Veterinary Nursing uses mannequins, models and videos to reduce animal use for teaching. Students demonstrate their competency via video, which allows for a less stressful, non-classroom environment for the animal. The lecturers also teach low-stress handling techniques.

Please find the Ministry for Primary Industries press release here: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/news-and-resources/media-releases/otago-polytechnic-receives-award-for-humane-use-of-animals-in-teaching/

Quote from Barbara Dunn, School of Veterinary Nursing:

“Animals that are used in research, testing and teaching are controlled by the Animal Welfare Act 1999. If you are using animals, then you must gain approval to ensure the animals ethical and welfare needs are met and hopefully in most cases exceeded. This is all overseen by the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee.

The School of Veterinary Nursing at Otago Polytechnic was awarded the NAEAC 3Rs (reduce, replace and refine the use of animals) award. The 3Rs is one of the guiding principles of the NAEAC and aims to reduce the number of animals used in research, testing and teaching.

By prioritising the 3 R’s in evaluation of animal use in teaching over a significant period of time, and by challenging past practices the staff at SVN have continued to further reduce, replace and refine their animal use in teaching. A commitment to finding innovative alternatives, which enhance the student’s learning experience and improve the welfare of the animals involved protects educational outcomes and so maintains the quality of graduates.”

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