Overview
Public Health Service Policy and USDA Animal Welfare Regulations require that “all personnel involved with the care and use of animals must be adequately educated, trained, and/or qualified in basic principles of laboratory animal science to help ensure high-quality science and animal well-being.” Researchers must have specific training in appropriate species-specific housing methods, husbandry procedures, and handling techniques; in addition, research personnel must be qualified through training or relevant experience to perform all experimental manipulations, including anesthesia and surgery.
Training
To be authorized to work with live animals in research or teaching activities, the Principal Investigator and their research personnel must complete all required training.
Occupational Health Program enrollment is required prior to addition to protocol.
IACUC Training is required prior to addition to protocol.
OLAC’s Animal User Orientation is required for users of traditional laboratory animal species (rodent, rabbit, ferret). Research personnel working with other species may also reach out to OLAC for training.
The IACUC may require research personnel to complete a proficiency evaluation before performing any of the procedures below. Training options for these procedures are available through OLAC.
- Aseptic techniques
- Anesthesia machine training
- Blood collection
- Compound administration
- Euthanasia
- Conscious decapitation or cervical dislocation
- Perfusion
Vivarium access
To obtain vivarium access, you must first complete the IACUC training and be added as personnel to the animal use protocol. A facility orientation may be provided depending on housing location. Contact the facility manager to gain facility access.