Urge the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine to prioritize teaching practices to align with those recommended by the AAVMC
Jonathan Levine
(608) 263-6716
deansoffice@vetmed.wisc.edu
Dear Dr. Levine,
We know effective veterinary student education is important to the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine. We hope to meet with you to discuss how we might help the University of Wisconsin improve the current classes that involve the unnecessary killing of healthy animals for student education. We believe graduating students should be confident practitioners and surgeons. This means giving them ample opportunity for live tissue handling and post-anesthesia recovery—skills best obtained on patients who need procedures under the guidance of experienced veterinarians.
Our paper, “A Public Records Review of Cadaver and Terminal Animal Use in U.S. and Canadian Veterinary Schools,” was recently published in the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education.
We reviewed animal use protocols from nearly every public veterinary school in the United States and Canada, including the University of Wisconsin. We evaluated the degree to which protocols adhered to the AAVMC Guidelines for the Use of Animals in Veterinary Education, which, as you know, recommend best practices for the use of animals in teaching. In particular, the AAVMC Guidelines stress using animals in ways that minimize harm while achieving student learning outcomes. For example, cadavers should be sourced ethically and humanely, alternatives to animals should be considered whenever possible, and teaching policies should emphasize that invasive procedures only be performed when there is a clear medical benefit to the animal.
Among the records we obtained from the University of Wisconsin were the following protocols:
· Equine Elective: Surgical Procedures (teaching): This protocol is for teaching vet students, residents, and instructional specialists advanced surgical procedures. Up to 10 horses are requested for terminal surgeries per year. Most of the animals are purchased, but some may be donated or from the university herd. The AAVMC Guidelines do not recommend terminal surgeries as a method of teaching, even using donated animals.
· Food Animal Elective: This protocol is for teaching vet students and residents medical, diagnostic, and surgical procedures on cows and calves. Up to 6 calves are used per year in terminal surgeries. The calves are purchased and do not appear to be slated for medical euthanasia.
· Clinical Instruction of Nonsurgical Procedures, Diagnostics and Examinations for Equine Elective Course: This protocol is for training vet students and residents nonsurgical procedures, diagnostics and examinations. Up to 15 horses per year are requested, and only donated animals in poor health are euthanized.
· Clinical Instruction in Large Animal Surgery: This protocol is for teaching vet students and residents medical, surgical, and reproductive procedures, and some surgeries will be terminal. Up to 4 cows and 14 horses are requested per year, but the number killed is unclear. The animals are almost exclusively donated, although they can come from other sources as well (including transfers, purchases, and the teaching herd).
In evaluating animal use protocols from veterinary schools, we were impressed by the innovative and effective programs that schools have developed for teaching veterinary students, residents, and interns. These include programs that prioritize access to care by allowing students to perform medically necessary procedures on animals under the supervision of experienced instructors, robust willed-body programs, providing care to farmed animal sanctuaries, low- or no-cost castration clinics for horses, and providing services for farmed animal producers. We also saw many examples of schools integrating effective instructional tools, such as manikins, simulators, low- and high-fidelity models, and software, to enhance student learning as recommended by the AAVMC. The AAVMC Use of Animals in Veterinary Education Handbook provides an in-depth review of the benefits of these teaching methods, as well as practical advice on implementing them in veterinary school curricula.
We recognize that animals must be used in veterinary education; it is imperative that schools use them effectively while protecting our profession’s reputation as courageous advocates for animals. As a leader in veterinary education, your institution has a duty to uphold the highest standards of effective animal use, not only in practice but also in the training of future veterinarians. Therefore, we urge you to prioritize transitioning your schools’ teaching practices to align with the AAVMC's recommendations. We would welcome the chance to discuss this with you.
Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration of this matter. We believe that by embracing these effective changes, you will excel in training courageous, skilled, and confident veterinarians for the future.
Sincerely,
Crystal Heath, DVM
Co-Founder
Our Honor
