Training Resources
Guiding Documents
Compliance with the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Policy) requires familiarity with each of these documents. Full text documents are available at the links.
Online Resources
AAALAC International - a private, nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs.
American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) - a membership association of professionals employed around the world in academia, government, and private industry who are dedicated to the humane care and treatment of laboratory animals, as well as the quality research that leads to scientific gains that benefit people and animals.
AALAS CompMed Open Forum - is a community for the entire AALAS membership to ask questions, exchange knowledge, and share solutions with other laboratory animal science professionals.
AALAS IACUC Central - a comprehensive repository for all things IACUC for institutional animal care and use committee members and staff.
IACUC Guidebook - combines references from OLAW and USDA regulations.
IACUC Training 101 - sponsored by the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare and the Applied Research Ethics National Association in conjunction with other partners.
IACUC Handbook - April 2000, Jerald Silverman, Mark A. Suckow, Sreekant Murthy, CRC Press. $59.95
LabAnimal Magazine - a category based index of articles for the animal research professional.
LabAnimal Magazine Protocol Review - a monthly column in LabAnimal magazine edited by Jerald Silverman.
NIH Animal Research Advisory Committee Guidelines - The Animal Research Advisory Committee (ARAC), comprised mainly of the Animal Care
and
Use Committee (ACUC) Chairs, meets monthly to discuss trans-NIH topics, develop trans-IC
guidance and policy, and to provide advice to the Institutional Official.
- ARAC Endpoints in Animal Study Proposals
- ARAC Pain and Distress in Laboratory Animals: Responsibilities, Recognition and Alleviation
Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) - implements the PHS Policy. While OLAW is located organizationally at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, OLAW's responsibility for laboratory animal welfare extends beyond NIH to all PHS supported activities involving animals.
Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R)
Scientists Center for Animal Welfare (SCAW) - composed of research professionals dedicated to balancing animal welfare and excellence in basic and applied scientific inquiry.
USDA Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) - mandated by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) to provide information for improved animal care and use in research, testing, and teaching.
Online Training
Augusta University is committed to excellence in education and research. To achieve and maintain the highest level of expertise and knowledge in the field, continuing education is essential. The online training programs provide an interactive review of the required training and are available to all individuals who work with or use laboratory animals at Augusta University. Your completion of the modules is documented as proof of compliance.
AU Personnel Affected
The following Augusta University personnel must complete the required training in the care and use of animals in research and instruction if they have contact with any living vertebrate animals:
- Scientists
- Research technicians and research animal technicians
- Medical students, fellows, and residents
- Summer students
- Visiting scholars
- Volunteers
- Other individuals involved in the care and handling of animals
- Principal Investigators on Animal Use Protocols, even if those individuals will not have direct animal contact
In addition, sufficiently detailed information on the experience and training of each individual involved must be included on the IACUC-approved protocol before any hands-on work may be done.
Modules Required
The Modules listed below must be taken before you will be approved to work with animals:
- Occupational Health & Safety
- The Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
- Principles of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement
- Principles of Minimizing Pain and Distress and Developing Human Endpoint
- Laboratory Animal Allergies and Asthma
- IACUC 101
- Species Specific module(s) for all animals you will be working with (i.e. Laboratory Mouse)
New personnel should follow the steps outlined on the appropriate Access & Clearance page to complete this training.
Other Training Available
- Principles of Rodent Surgery for the New Surgeon
- Laboratory Animal Services (LAS) has a collection of training materials available for viewing, and veterinarians and technicians who are capable of providing training in many general experimental animal procedures.
- For a Schedule of In-house classes offered call (706) 721-3421.
- There are many Augusta University faculty and staff who have skills in experimental animal procedures and are willing to pass them on to others. IACUC members and LAS staff veterinarians may be able to assist in identifying persons with requisite skills to provide training.