Training and Education
Animal Care Program Training Plan
On-line Tutorial | Vivarium Training | Seminars | Veterinary Consultation
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is committed to a high-quality program of animal care that meets both the spirit and the letter of the regulations and policies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Public Health Service for the humane care and use of animals in research and teaching. Training and continuing education of faculty, students, and staff is an important component of this program to ensure that the highest standards continue to be met.
Principal Investigators have primary responsibility for ensuring that all persons working under a laboratory animal protocol are appropriately trained. By signing the protocol application, the PI gives assurance that all individuals working with animals will receive the necessary and appropriate training for research animals and that every person engaged in the research project has been or will be thoroughly trained in the methods and procedures to be used. In addition, it is the responsibility of the PI to assure that all such personnel have been made familiar with the NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and the requirements of the amended Animal Welfare Act.
To assist Principal Investigators with these training responsibilities, the University provides a number of training resources:
- An On-line Tutorial reviews core concepts for the responsible conduct of research with animal subjects. By exploring this easy-to-use tutorial, investigators will be guided through the major principles for conducting research in a way that is consistent with federal and University requirements and with accepted scientific standards.
- Vivarium Training is conducted as needed or requested by the Director of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR), Attending Veterinarian or Principal Investigator. Required introductory training includes a review of the regulations and principles of research animal use, administrative procedures, and a familiarization tour of the facility. This training is required of all first-time users of the Vivarium facility. Additional training in animal handling and restraint, anesthesia, relief of discomfort surgery or specific procedures is provided as needed or requested.
- Seminars. The Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) and the University Veterinarian present a Seminar at the beginning of each academic year (early in the fall semester). The seminar addresses the research environment; federal regulation; responsibilities of the University and investigators; issues associated with protocol review, including scientific relevance, justification for the use of animals, and alternatives to animal use; and an overview of veterinary care, including the assessment of pain, anesthesia and analgesia, surgery and post-surgical care, and euthanasia.
- Veterinary Consultation. The University Veterinarian is available to consult with faculty or staff on any matter related to protocol design, experimental procedure, or animal health, and will provide training or assistance in any medical procedure as required. In particular, the Veterinarian will observe or participate, as appropriate, in surgical procedures when work is started under a new protocol to ensure that faculty, students, and staff have the necessary skills and training for the procedures being utilized.
In addition to these training resources, information and access to documents is available to investigators through the following websites: