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WSPA Helping Vets Worldwide Learn About Animal Welfare

Author: WSPA
Posted: Friday 2nd May, 2008. 00:00:00

In a bid to ensure veterinarians around the world are familiar with the latest developments in animal welfare, the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has launched an updated version of its international syllabus, ‘Concepts in Animal Welfare’.

The WSPA’s Programme Manager, Bridget Vercoe, says the content has been updated by WSPA to reflect new developments in animal welfare. The revised version comprises 34 interactive modules on CD-ROM and encourages inclusion of specific topics within established veterinary syllabuses. It tackles a diverse range of subjects affecting farm and working animals, wildlife, companion animals and those used in experimentation.

New Zealand veterinary consultant and head of the World Veterinary Association’s animal welfare working group, Jim Edwards, says animal welfare science does not feature prominently in some veterinary curricula. This resource, however, will help students and lecturers to impart knowledge, understanding and responsible attitudes towards animals, by stimulating critical thinking about issues, not only during formal training but throughout their veterinary career.

It will also provide a valuable resource for New Zealand veterinarians wishing to refresh and update their knowledge, he says.

The original 2003 ‘Concept in Animal Welfare’ syllabus was the result of a long-standing collaboration between WSPA and the University of Bristol’s School of Veterinary Medicine, one of the world’s first academic institutions to pioneer animal welfare teaching and research.

The syllabus has received endorsement from many professional bodies including the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), World Veterinary Association, Commonwealth Veterinary Association, World Small Animal Veterinary Association, and the Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations.

The CD ROM has been sent to over 600 faculties and WSPA has organised workshops for over 450 veterinary institutes around the world since 2000.

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