Species Specific Training Requirements

Policy

The Center for Laboratory Animal Training Resources (CLATR) has developed a robust training program utilizing a combination of online learning modules, in-person didactic opportunities, and hands-on laboratory sessions to create a structured training plan provided in collaboration with veterinary services, individuals approved as trainers, occupational health and safety, and research staff. Specific training requirements are dependent on the species of animal being utilized, the nature of the work being performed, and the location in which work will be carried out.

For all species, any individual included on a protocol must be trained on pertinent laws and regulations and IACUC policies. Anyone doing hands-on work with animals at the University of Washington must be enrolled in the occupational health program (e.g. complete an Animal Use Medical Screening) and be trained in zoonotic disease risk and laboratory animal allergen exposure. Anyone directly handling animals must also take the appropriate species-specific animal handling and behavior class(es). A flowchart highlighting training requirements by role can be found on the CLATR website (Center for Laboratory Animal Training Resources (CLATR) – Office of Animal Welfare (uw.edu)).

All animal handling training may include the following topics, as needed for the species:

• Basic needs of the species
• Proper techniques for humane handling, care, and restraint
• Recognition of normal and abnormal physical and behavioral parameters
• Sex determination, blood vessel access, and administration of medication
• Proper pre-procedural and post-procedural care
• Discussion of appropriate methods of anesthesia, analgesia, and euthanasia
• Discussion of identification, genotyping, and tissue collection methods, as appropriate

Surgical training requirements are outlined in IACUC Policy: Surgery Training Requirements

Please contact CLATR or the Office of Animal Welfare if there are extenuating circumstances that make it necessary for a particular individual to be exempt from attending, or delay attending, a hands-on class (e.g., a new faculty member not yet on campus but who needs IACUC approval in order to transfer a grant would be allowed to complete the class after arrival).

To facilitate rodent training, CLATR maintains a rodent training colony and offers a series of mouse and rat courses on an ongoing basis. Rodent training courses are a combination of web modules with exams and then in-person classes requiring demonstration of proficiency. Advanced classes will offer procedure-specific training to individuals with these procedures on their protocols (e.g., IM, IP, or IV injection, blood sampling, or anesthesia induction). Some procedures require certification prior to independent work. A complete list of procedural training offered and of procedures requiring certification can be found on the CLATR website and is regularly updated as new procedures are offered.

Additional web modules and/or in-person training are required for individuals working in ABSL-2, ABSL-3, or gnotobiotic areas.

For non-rodent species other than primates, species-specific training is most often carried out utilizing animals on the PI’s protocol rather than procuring animals only for training purposes. Due to a lower overall number of laboratories utilizing these species, training sessions for these species are offered on an ad hoc, as-needed basis. These species-specific animal handling courses will be overseen by CLATR but may be provided by veterinarians, veterinary technicians, or other members of staff that have been delegated as trainers for a given species. All training is documented and will still cover the topics as noted above. Additionally, training for aquatic animal users will include specific discussion of water quality monitoring and often includes meeting specifically with our aquatic specialist veterinarian for custom training for each given protocol.

Due to the highly specialized nature of the work at the Washington National Primate Research Center (WaNPRC), training is generally performed by WaNPRC staff rather than by CLATR. Personnel working in the WaNPRC vivarium with nonhuman primates must obtain occupational health clearance prior to being granted vivarium access, and are required to attend orientation and training classes taught by occupational health, veterinary, and behavioral management staff within WaNPRC. All staff are required to read and understand pertinent WaNPRC SOPs, including those addressing personal protective equipment, safety procedures, environmental enhancement, appropriate behavior in animal areas, and how to communicate with veterinary and behavioral staff. New personnel are supervised within the vivarium and provided with hands-on training prior to working unsupervised in direct contact with the animals. Working directly with the animals requires multiple supervised activities and demonstration of proficiency prior to independent work.