DYR208 Professional Ethics and Animal Welfare

After completing the teaching and examination in animal welfare and professional ethics, the student should be able to:

• Explain different definitions and views on animal welfare
• Explain the difference and connection between the terms animal welfare, animal ethics and animal protection
• Explain important ethological terms with significance for animal welfare.
• Explain various indicators of welfare status
• Describe common animal welfare problems in sports- and companionanimals and production animals
• Explain the importance of the environment animals are kept in and how this can affect animal welfare
• Explain the welfare consequences of selection and breeding work
• Explain the roles and duties of the animal healthworkers in animal welfare and have an understanding of the legislation and legal responsibilities as a professional.
• Explain how humans can affect animal welfare
• Explain what it means to be a professional practitioner, and what social mandate animal healthworkers are set to manage and that veterinary nurses share a common set of values ​​that underlies the practice of the profession.
• Know and be able to apply the professional ethical guidelines in reflections on their practical work.
• Have an ethical awareness, use tools for ethical reflection and be able to develop ethical judgement.
• Have knowledge of different professional areas as a veterinary nurse and reflect on ethical issues within the different areas.
• The student should be able to read and understand subject material on animal welfare and professional ethics.

DYR208 will help the students acquire the skills and knowledge described in the following ACOVENE Competences from ACOVENEs Dossier of European Competences for the Veterinary Nurse :

• EC 1 Health and safety
• EC 2 Developing personal performance and maintaining working relationships
• EC 3 Carry out veterinary reception duties
• EC 6 Provide and administer nursing care
• EC 7 Supporting clients in caring for animals