WSPA Launches Animal Welfare Syllabus For
Veterinarians
by ANC Staff and UK
PETS
An international syllabus to assist with the
teaching of animal welfare in veterinary faculties has been
launched by the World Society for the Protection of Animals
(WSPA) this week.
The Concepts in Animal Welfare syllabus is
the result of a long-standing collaboration between the WSPA
and the University of Bristol?s School of Veterinary Medicine
in the UK, one of the world?s first academic institutions
to pioneer animal welfare teaching.
Developed over two years with input from veterinarians
the world over, the syllabus is composed of 30 interactive
modules on CD-ROM and aimed at encouraging the inclusion of
specific welfare teaching within established veterinary syllabuses.
Printed and audio-visual resources complement
the CD-ROM and updates will be available via the internet
(www.wspa-international.org).
The principles are supported by professional
bodies such as the World Veterinary Association, Commonwealth
Veterinary Association, World Small Animal Veterinary Association
and the Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary
Associations.
The Concepts in Animal Welfare syllabus tackles
a diverse range of subjects covering welfare issues affecting
farm and working animals, wildlife, companion animals and
those used in experimentation.
"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," said John Webster, Professor
of Animal Husbandry at the University of Bristol School of
Veterinary Science.
"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," Webster added.
WSPA has been developing its animal welfare
syllabus with veterinary institutes around the globe since
2000.
"Veterinarians play a major role in
directly improving animal welfare through their own actions
and by influencing others to do the same," commented John
Callaghan, WSPA?s Education and Training Director.
"Regrettably, animal welfare hasn?t
traditionally received the priority and attention it deserves
from the veterinary profession," he said. "This resource will
play an important part in helping veterinarians of the future
to develop a greater understanding of the welfare of animals
by stimulating focused critical thinking on welfare issues
throughout their veterinary career.?
More information and a review copy of the
Concepts in Animal Welfare syllabus can be obtained by contacting
Jonathan Owen or Debra Ashton at the WSPA on either (011 44)
(0)207 587 5000, or 07801 386670.
© 2003 Animal News Center, Inc.
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