Comments from Alternatives Offered in Schools of Veterinary Technology Questionnaire
These are meant to be viewed in conjunction with each school's response to the survey. You can view the questionnaire as a PDF document online.
Athens Technical College
Dr. Carole Miller :
13) Jugular catheter and peripheral catheter models; Koken rat; stuffed animals; CPR mannequin; dental prophy models.
14) All of them were employed at the outset of the program. They prevented use of live animals rather than replaced.
Becker College
Dr. Gail Hartman:
9) 100% of small animal cadavers are cats that come from biological supply houses.
11) 10% of special species cadavers are road-killed specimens of birds, etc.; 90% are chickens that come from the grocery store.
14) Models have decreased the use of animals in labs but not replaced them.
Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology
Dr. Rolan Rucker:
5)Only mice are euthanized (for the Laboratory Animal Medicine class).
9) 95% of small animal cadavers are cats that come from biological supply houses; 5% are dogs that come from a university colony. Fresh tissue necropsy is required by AVMA standards. The dogs are for these demonstrations and have been euthanized by a shelter. The preserved cats are for the anatomy dissection laboratory.
11) 100% of special species animals are birds and reptiles that come from biological supply houses.
13) Skills models currently used: Plastized organ models and CPR model.
Blue Ridge Community College
Dr. Stuart Porter:
9) We do very little dissection in our program. Our instructor makes a few prosections and we supplement with models, plastinated bodies and images.
13) We use artificial veins, injection mats, plastic models, plastinated parts, and skeletons to train our students prior to letting them practice procedures on animals in clinic and lab.
Brevard Community College
Dr. Laura Earle-Imre:
13) K-9 Intubation Model, Rescue Jerry, Koken Rat, Koken Rabbit, Vascular Training Access Models (jugular/cephalic), Urinary Catheterization model (female).
14) "Jerry," Koken Rat and Rabbits, Female Urinary Catheterization models all prevented invasive procedures.
California State Polytechnic University
Dr. James Alderson:
10) Animals that required euthanasia for medical reasons from campus herds.
13) Rescue Critters.
Colorado Mountain College
Dr. Karen Kean-Hines:
1) We are a farm. We raise animals and some go to the sale barn and some stay. As such, we do tail dock our lambs (under general anestheia - prepped and treated like a dog). In the years needed, we do dehorn (also under sedation and use of locals) as this is necessary: 1. to take to sale and 2. AVMA requires this.
9) 100% of small animal cadavers are cats that come from biological supply houses (15 - 20/year).
13) Skills models currently used: 1. Dog fake legs, head, and neck for IV injections, IV catheters, and taping. 2. Fake rumen, stifle, ear, etc. for anatomy class to use in conjunction with cat dissection. 3. CPR dog - also used in x-ray assignments. 4. Stuffed dog made to demo enemas. 5. Fake human arm used to learn skin suture basics. Would like additional fake animals to demonstrate trach tube, cystocentesis, and bladder expression. Need financial resource to adopt more 'fake' stuff.
Columbia State Community College
Dr. Boyce Wanamaker:
1) Our students do an excretory urogram and an UGI. I do not feel that these classify as 'invasive'. Students also do dehorning and tail docking in a livestock management class - they may decline to do the procedures.
9) 100% of the small animal cadavers are dogs and cats from biological supply houses.
Columbus State Community College
Dr. Charles St. Jean:
9) 100% of the small animal cadavers are cats that come from biological supply houses.
13) Koken Rats are used to familiarize students with handling, sexing, gavaging, and injecting rats before live animals are used in the laboratory. An instructional video is also used.
Cuyahoga Community College
Dr. Kathleen Corcoran:
1) Students are required to induce, monitor and recover program animals with general anesthesia.
10) Slaughterhouse tissues are used in A&P courses for domestic animals (repro tracts, feet, etc.) No whole-animal cadavers are used.
13) "Fake legs and necks" for venipuncture; surgical-scrub and prep mannequins; bandaging mannequins.
Delaware Technical and Community College
Dr. Valerie Quillen:
13) Rescue Critters - CPR Jerry and Cat CPR Models, male urinary catheter model, UC Davis - Venipuncture leg and neck, rat model for injections.
Foothill College
Dr. Karl Peter:
1) I am once again unwilling to mark 'yes/no' to this question because general anesthesia of short duration is performed several times during the senior anesthesiology course. NONE of the other invasive procedures listed is ever performed at any time - only general anesthesia. Marking 'yes' may lead someone to conclude we perform some or all of the other invasive procedures. Marking 'no' would be dishonest because general anesthesia is performed occasionally. Therefore, excluding general anesthesia, the answer is 'no.' Please do not list the program as performing 'invasive procedures' without clarifying that this includes only general anesthesia. I trust the AVAR to do the right thing and not adversely characterize our program in print and on the Internet.
2) As stated above, the only 'invasive procedure' (by your [AVAR's] definition) performed is general anesthesia/dog or cat (2-3 events in a 12-week quarter, < 1 hour duration). Induction, maintenance, and recovery are considered essential skills by the AVMA-CVTEA and must be taught and students must demonstrate proficiency in these skills to the faculty to pass the course and graduate from the program.
3) The number of anesthetic events required for learning and assessment of skills is kept to an absolute minimum by requiring students to acquire additional hands-on training in basic skills during their internships.
13) Skills models currently used: 1. Jugular and cephalic venipuncture models 2. DAISIE 'abdomen' 3. Koken Rat models 4. Urinary catheter training models 5. CPR mannikins (canine and feline) 6. Intubation trainers (canine and feline) 7. Canine Suture Arms 8. Web-based and CD-ROM anatomy, pathology and radiology software.
14) No terminal procedures are performed. As explained above, the only 'invasive' (by AVAR's definition) procedure performed is general anesthesia. Models, software, etc. replaces several noninvasive procedures such as venipuncture, veneous and urinary bladder catheterization, radiologic positioning and exposure, etc.
15) Every attempt is made to minimize the use of animals for teaching and learning. The program expends a considerable amount of funds on alternatives to the use of animals.
Whenever possible, non-animal models or A/V instructional aids are utilized in the clinical training of students. The necessity for students to master the application of technical skills on live animals is both implicit and explicit in the objectives of the Veterinary Technology Program. Given the availability and consistent use of alternatives to live animals, no more than 4-6 live animals are requried to meet clinical skill competency objectives. A minimum number provides sufficient animals to ensure that no one animal is overused for any purpose. The faculty is careful to limit the number and frequency of procedures and regularly rotate animals in and out of use.
The animals are used for demonstration, as instructional models by VT Program faculty and for clinical skills practice by students under direct supervision. All students will be properly instructed in the particular procedure(s) being performed.
The procedure(s) to be performed on the animals, which are detailed in our USDA-IACUC Protocols for Animal Use, are limited to those that would normally be conducted on clients' animals in a clinical veterinary practice. Any repetitive procedures and/or procedures that involve pain or distress beyond that which would be incurred by a typical veterinary patient will be accompanied by appropriate sedation/analgesia or anesthesia.
Front Range Community College
Dr. Betsy Krieger:
9) 100% of small animal cadavers are dogs and cats that come from the humane society/animal shelter.
11) 100% of special species cadavers are rodents, birds, and rabbits that come from a Willed Body Donation Program.
12) [The spay/neuter program is] not a course but voluntary participation with a greyhound rescue group.
13) Skills models currently used: 1. Koken Rat, Koken Rabbit, and inhouse 'mouse' model used for our laboratory animal course. 2. A variety of legs for venipuncture and suturing. 3. CPR dog mannikins that we use for a variety of other skill development, as well as CPR. 4. We use the computer for a lot of demonstration of anatomy and physiology principles (Adam software and some other software from CSU and UC Davis).
Harcum College
Dr. Nadine Hackman:
14) Anatomy lab is switching over to alternatives rather than cadaver dissection. An assortment of computer programs (BioCat is one) are being used. But while our cadaver use will decrease, it will not impact live animal use.
15) We instituted a new class in Advanced Nursing skills to teach venipuncture, CPR, intubation, urinary catheterization, bandaging skills, for which dog and cat mannekins were purchased but as this is a new class it too did not decrease live animal use.
Hartnell College
Dr. William Fellner:
9) 100% of small animal cadavers are cats that come from biological supply houses (approximately 12/year).
11) 100% of special species cadavers are murine animals that come from biological supply houses (approximately 12/year)
13) Skills models currently used: 1. Numerous anatomical wet mount specimens 2. Suturing towels prior to actual surgical (spay/neuter) suturing.
14) Don't/haven't ever done any [invasive or terminal procedures].
Jefferson College
Cheryl Emerson:
13) Jugular models, CPR models, intubation, female dog catheter models, and a soda bottle for fiberoptics (endoscopy).
Johnson College
Ms. Patricia O'Rourke:
9) 100% of small animal cadavers are cats that come from biological supply houses.
11) 100% of special species cadavers are birds that come from biological supply houses.
13) Skills models currently used: model of human arm for venipuncture, model of dog head and leg for venipuncture and muzzle, canine intubation trainer, Resusci-Dog.
14) Give students confidence in handling and the technique before attempting on a live animal.
Kirkwood Community College
Dr. Eric Burrough:
9) 100% of small animal cadavers are cats that come from biological supply houses.
10) 90% of large animal cadavers are sheep that come from biological supply houses; 10% are pigs that come from the slaughter house.
Los Angeles Pierce College
Ms. Elizabeth White:
9) 95% of small animal cadavers are cats that come from biological supply houses; 5% are dogs that come from the humane society/animal shelter.
10) 100% of large animal cadavers are horses and sheep that come from donations from local veterinarians.
Skills models currently used: 1. Rescue Jerry for endotracheal intubation, venous access, and CPR. 2. Female K9 urinary catheter model.
14) [Invasive or terminal procedures] are not done here.
Macomb Community College
Ms. Jennifer Smith:
1) The only "invasive" procedure we perform is general anesthesia procedure. While these procedures are not usually necessary for the animal’s health or the overpopulation problem, we make an effort to make the procedure worth the animals inconvenience. We do this by making the animal more “adoptable”, such as performing a dental prophylaxis or any necessary grooming. While most of our anesthetic procedures are not done during a spay or neuter procedure a certain number of them are. The amount of time spent in an “invasive” procedure such as general anesthesia is only a small amount of the animals visit here. Each set of animals that we acquire spend only 2-3 weeks with us. The animals are used at the most 3 times a week for a short anesthetic procedure, usually lasting no more than 30 minutes.
2) No we do not offer an alternative to general anesthesia. We do not feel that there is any practical or realistic substitute for our veterinary technician students to practice performing general anesthesia. We are training our students to handle “life and death” situations in the real world. We do so by teaching and having them apply proper fundamentals of anesthetic safety on the animals.
5) For accreditation purposes we are required to perform at least one euthanasia laboratory. We choose to use rodents in this procedure instead of the dogs and cats, or large animals. We euthanize between 5-10 rodents each year.
9) 100% of the small animal cadavers are cats that come from biological supply houses.
11) 100% of special species cadavers are animals who are purposely bred (30% mice, 20% rats, 20% gerbils, 20% hamsters, 5% guinea pigs, 5% rabbits)
12) All dogs and cats that we have are returned to the animal shelter for adoption, no terminal procedures are performed on them. Each animal is only with us for 2-3 weeks at a time before going to the animal shelter for adoption. We have about a 95% adoption rate of our animals, our students take an active interest in finding homes for all of the animals.
Madison Area Technical College - VTP
Dr. CC Sheldon:
1) We anesthetize animals for dental prophys, but we would consider this medically necessary.
13) We are always looking for inanimate objects to practice mechanical skills. Animal models used for restraint include sock mice, koken rats, toy dogs, toy cat, taxidermy LA for venipuncture. For dentals we make fake tartar (wood glue and putty) to put on skulls to practice.
Manor College
Dr. Joanna Bassert:
13) We use as many models as possible. We designed our own equine IV catheter model; Koken rat; dog cephalic and jugular; Resusci rover and Rescue Critter fluffy; IV models; male urethra catheter model; injection models. We also use stuffed animals for bandaging labs and of course the students can help each other in some labs such as with EKG and Pulse Ox labs which are demo'd on humans.
15)
We have also used silico-lyophilized dissections which are "plastinated" to decrease use of preserved animals. Very expensive!
McLennan Community College
Dr. Ronald Epps:
13) Models and preserved specimens from biologic house. Video on cat dissection. Video on bovine digestive system.
Murray State College
Dr. Carey Floyd:
5) The necropsy lab (4th year) utilizes a terminal dog from the animal shelter (behavior/disease make it unadoptable).
6) Handled on an individual basis with each student. (To date we have not had students who did not want to participate.)
Murray State University
Dr. Terry Canerdy:
13) Animal models, computer simulations.
National American University
Dr. Margaret Behrens:
9) 100% of small animal cadavers are dogs and cats that come from a humane society/animal shelter.
Newberry College
9) 100% of small animal cadavers are cats that come from biological supply houses.
10) 100% of the large animal cadavers are sheep (eyes), cows (uterus), and pigs (kidneys) that come from animals once used in research.
11) 100% of special species cadavers are birds that come from biological supply houses.
13) Skills models currently used: 1. Cephalic Catheterization Model 2. Stuffed animals used for restraint and subcutaneous injections 3. CD-ROM and videotape for instruction in dentistry, catheter placement, and ruminant anatomy.
Northeast Community College
Dr. Michael Cooper:
9) 75% of small animal cadavers are dogs and cats that come from biological supply houses; 25% are dogs and cats that come from a humane society/animal shelter.
10) 50% of large animal cadavers are cows and pigs that come from donations from local veterinarians; 50% are cows and pigs that come from the slaughter house.
13) We are looking for skills models.
Northwestern State Universiy of Louisiana
Dr. Brenda Woodard:
9) 100% of small animal cadavers are cats that come from biological supply houses.
13) Skills models currently used: Rat model for venipuncture.
14) [Prevented the use of] rats.
Oklahoma State University
Dr. Sally Henderson:
11) Animal used are those "donated" from rehab and zoo losses and therefore specie can vary.
13) For restraint and first aid, animal models are used and IV placement is practiced on in-house produced contraptions.
15) I still am looking for a great alternative to preserved cat cadavers for anatomy. I would love to learn of great substitutes.
Parkland College
Dr. Paul Franklin Cook:
12) Have participated in the past. Off and on, no set schedule.
Pierce College at Ft. Steilacoom
Dr. Terry Teeple:
9) 100% of small animal cadavers are cats that come biological supply houses.
13) Skills models currently used: Rescue Critters for endotracheal intubation and IV practice.
Raymond Walters College
Dr. Dave Bauman:
12) SPCA has been asked in the past, but no workable situation has developed.
13) Students practice with many different "alternatives," i.e. suture models, injection forms, etc. to gain proficiency before they can do the same technique on animals.
14) We do no terminal surgeries/procedures.
Ridgewater College
Dr. Allen Balay:
1) Invasive procedures are extremely limited. The exceptions are: occassional contrast radiology demonstration with sedation, and general anesthesia used for an endotracheal intubation and urinary catheterization lab. Most all invasive procedures revolve around reducing animal over population.
9) 100% of small animal cadavers are cats that come biological supply houses.
13) Skills models currently used: vascular models, dental models, resuscitation model (used for intubation and CPR)
15) All initial 'injections' are done on fruits such as oranges. Aspirates and other cytologies are done using fruit also. Other cytologies are on clinical cases (e.g., ear cytologies). None of the alternatives have reduced the learning process.
St. Petersburg College
Dr. Guy Hancock:
9) 99% of small animal cadavers are cats that come biological supply houses; 1% are dogs and cats that come from a Willed Body Donation Program.
13) Skills models currently used: Koken Rat, Koken Rabbit, Rescue Critters IV Practice Arm, intubation trainer, female urinary catheterization mannekin, human IV practice arm, CPR dog mannekin, cat anatomy CD-ROM.
14) Using the models reduces the use of live animals. We could reduce anesthetic procedures significantly if we had radiology mannekins that had realistic tissue density and range of motion in the joints.
State University of New York Agricultural & Technical College
Dr. Mary Loomis:
13) Skills models currently used: Recuci-Dog, Koken Rat, Koken Rabbit, web site describing techniques, injecting pads.
15) We require students to practice on models first and/or review tapes or web sites before performing procedures.
State University of New York Delhi
Dr. Dawn Dutka, DVM:
2) University colony only used if sudden death.
Tri County Technical College
Dr. Margaret Champion :
13) We are adopting a virtual reality cat dissection. We use models to teach injection techniques, intubation and CPR.
Tulsa Community College
Dr. Jan Weaver:
5) Terminal procedures are only performed on an animal that is terminally ill (e.g., Distemper encephalomyelotis). The animal will be placed under anesthesia and a procedure like opening the thorax will be demonstrated. The animal is euthanized at the end of the procedure.
9) Small animal cadavers come a humane society/animal shelter and a Willed Body Donation Program. The species and percent are dependent on availability.
10) 100% of large animal cadavers come from a slaughter house. The species are dependent on availability.
11) Special species animal cadavers come from an animal dealer/commercial organization, animals once used in research, and a Willed Body Donation Program. The species and percent are dependent on availability.
13) Skills models currently used: urinary catheter dog, CPR Dog, tubing to practice catheterization, and video tapes.
14) [Skills models have] improved skills prior to medically warranted procedures on patients.
15) We adopt [animals] from local shelters and humane organizations and adopt the animals out at the end of the semester.
University of Puerto Rico
Dr. Elizabeth Rivera:
9) 100% of small animal cadavers are dogs and cats that come from a humane society/animal shelter.
10) 100% of the large animal cadavers are pigs and horses that come from an animal dealer/commercial organization.
11) 100% of the special species animal cadavers are rodents that come from an animal dealer/commercial organization.
13) Critical Jerry
14) Although we have a model, students still practice on cadavers.
Vatterott College
Ms. Jean Holtzen:
1) As an explanation, the only invasive procedure done are contrast studies which are an essential task deemed by the AVMA. However, we do combine radiology lab groups for this activity to limit the number of animals used.
9) 100% of small animal cadavers are dogs and cats; 100% of the dogs that are used for the dissection class come from biological supply houses; 100% of the dogs and cats used for the necropsy class come from a humane society/animal shelter.
11) 100% of the special species animal cadavers are birds that come from animals once used in research.
Vermont Technical College
Dr. Amy St. Denis:
9) 100% of small animal cadavers are cats that come biological supply houses.
11) 100% of special species animal cadavers are rats that come from previous veterinary technical school laboratories (most years); occassionally cadavers are obtained from rats once used in research. Euthanized rats are saved for necropsy lab. Rodent adoptions are sought each year for program animals. If unable to find homes, remainder are euthanized. If no program animals are available for required postmortem lab, animals are acquired who have been previously used in research and euthanized as part of their protocol.
12) Participate in a Spay/Neuter Program for low Income Individuals. Includes venipuncture training for presurgical blood draw, IV catheter placement for induction of anesthesia and emergency drug administration.
13)Skills models currently used: KOKEN Rat, Female dog urinary catheter model, Dog venipuncture models, and INJECT-A-PAD.
14) All of the [models listed in Question 13] have replaced animal use for non-medical purposes, except dog venipuncture models used for initial training for venipuncture and catheter placement. [There is] some live animal use after training; majority is for medical purposes but still occassionally [there is] venipuncture and catheter placement for non-medical purposes.
15) Will be ordering Koken Rabbit model and dog intubation training model.
Western Career College
Amber Holly, RVT :
9) Cadavers for necropsy are provided by an at-home euthanasia service if owners agree.
13) CPR mannequins, skeletal, dental and organ models, computer training.
15) We offer services to the humane society so that all procedures are for the pet's health and necessary.
Yuba College
Dr. Blaine Russell:
Our program has no animals on campus. We do only elective surgeries on student and faculty animals. Our facilities operates as a veterinary clinic so we have no animals of our own. Looking over the survey, it is clearly pointed toward programs with animals which are organic to the teaching facility.
Questions that pertain to certain answers above:
1) re invasive procedures, which are unnecessary for the animal’s health or do not benefit the animal overpopulation problem, performed on nonhuman animals in any courses offered at your school?
2) For the responses to question 1 which are “Yes,” does your school offer an ‘alternative’ activity or activities for those courses to students who are ethically opposed to performing these procedures?
3) If the response to question 2 is “Yes in core (i.e. mandatory) courses,” please indicate which of the following educational tools are used as part of the ‘alternative’ activity or activities.
5) Are terminal surgeries or procedures performed on nonhuman animals in any courses offered at your school?
9) What is the source of cadavers of small animals (e.g., dogs, cats) used for educational purposes by your school and the approximate percent that come from that source?
10) What is the source of cadavers of large animals (e.g., horses, cows, goats, sheep) used for educational purposes by your school and the approximate percent that come from that source?
11) What is the source of cadavers of special species animals (e.g., rodents, birds, reptiles) used for educational purposes by your school and the approximate percent that come from that source?
12) Does your school participate in a spay/neuter (ovariohysterectomy/castration) program with a local humane society/animal shelter where veterinary technical students assist with these procedures and the animals are returned for future adoption?
13) Are skills models (e.g. inanimate models, computer models/programs, virtual reality) used by your school to teach veterinary technical students psychomotor or procedure skills?
14) If the answer to question 13 is “Yes,” did any of these skills models replace or prevent the use of nonhuman animals for invasive or terminal procedures?
15) Please provide any additional information about the use of alternatives that you would like us to be aware of (e.g., How have they reduced the harmful use of animals? What particular alternative solutions were used? How has this affected the teaching process?).
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