VET353 Animal Welfare

Learning Outcome Descriptions for VET353

Knowledge

After completing the course in animal welfare, the student should be able to:

Explain key concepts in ethics, animal protection, animal welfare, ethology, and laboratory animal science.

Describe methods for assessing animal welfare in different situations.

Account for key animal ethics perspectives and their implications for the evaluation of animal welfare.

Explain health-related, physiological, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral factors that influence animal welfare.

Identify welfare challenges in different animal species and describe how the environment, breeding, and human-animal relationships affect animal welfare.

Explain the principles and methods used in animal research.

Skills

After completing the course in animal welfare, the student should be able to:

Conduct examinations and apply relevant techniques for assessing animal welfare.

Evaluate and interpret animal welfare at both individual and group levels and describe the limitations of such assessments.

Apply subject knowledge in discussions and debates on animal welfare.

Handle and restrain animals safely and instruct others in proper handling techniques.

General Competence

After completing the course in animal welfare, the student should be able to:

Analyze and communicate different perspectives, methods, and interpretations within the field of animal welfare.

Reflect on the veterinarian’s roles and responsibilities in animal welfare cases.

Critically assess various sources of information and evaluate the relevance of available knowledge.

Discuss the relationship between ethics and animal welfare.

Communicate academic issues, analyses, and conclusions related to animal welfare in a professional manner.

Implement appropriate measures in cases of suspected disease, mistreatment, or violations of animal welfare regulations.

List of Day One Competencies

1.1 Act in a manner that demonstrates understanding of the ethical and legal frameworks within which veterinarians operate, including professional, animal welfare, client, public health, societal, and environmental aspects.

1.17 Handle and restrain animals safely, with respect for the animal, and be able to instruct others in assisting the veterinarian in performing these tasks.

1.21 Assess the physical condition, welfare, and nutritional status of an animal or a group of animals and advise owners on principles of animal husbandry, feeding, reproduction, production, welfare, individual health, herd health, and public health.

1.25 Recognize signs of potential notifiable and zoonotic diseases as well as animal abuse, and take appropriate actions, including notifying relevant authorities.

1.38 Provide advice on and implement programs for disease prevention and control suitable for the disease and species, in accordance with accepted standards for animal health, welfare, public health, and the environment.