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Columns::July 15, 2002
The three little pigs: Pig cloning expands successes in food biotechnology
Second annual Latinos conference will focus on health statewide
UGA offers employees fare-free bus transportation in county
Annual analysis of minority buying power reports dramatic increase in disposable income for all groups
U. of Akron president, formerly at UGA, to speak at Commencement
BFSO elects officers for 2002-2003 academic year
Update: Private Giving
Campus News
Vet med animal care program earns coveted national accreditation
By Dot Sparer
dsparer@vet.uga.edu
The College of Veterinary Medicine’s Animal Care and Use Program has received full accreditation from the Association for t
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| Chris King, director of the Animal Care and Use Program in the college, demonstrates some of the animal cages. Most of the 1,500 animals are mice and rats, but more than a dozen species are represented. (Photo by Peter Frey) |
he Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, International.
“AAALAC accreditation is the gold standard for good animal care,” says Christopher S. King, director of UGA’s program. “It doesn’t get any better than this.”
“It has been a long-term goal, and we’re very proud of the success,” says Keith W. Prasse, dean of the college.
“This is a voluntary accreditation,” King says, “something we chose to do because it’s important.” Only 12 the 27 colleges of veterinary medicine are presently AAALAC-accredited.
Accreditation is the culmination of a long process of self-study, King says. It begins with “a program description that goes into great detail about our program--everything from how we sanitize our floors to how we handle our paperwork. The accreditation self-study also helps us review our operating procedures. It helps us evaluate what we do and make changes if they’re necessary.”
Last July, four site visitors from AAALAC evaluated the college’s animal resource program for three days, comparing the self-evaluation with a first-hand look. They recommended full accreditation, which became official this month.
“The most important result for our college,” says King, “is that it tells all our stakeholders--alumni, clients, taxpayers and everyone else who has anything to do with the college or the university--it tells them that we’re doing the absolute best job of caring for the animals we use in research and teaching.”
Accreditation also makes the college more competitive for receiving research grants and attracting faculty interested in research. In addition, AAALAC accreditation promotes scientifically valid research, since reliable results depend on superior animal care.
“The College of Veterinary Medicine joins an elite few colleges of veterinary medicine in the nation to achieve this milestone,” says Prasse. “It demonstrates our commitment to the highest-quality care and greatest sensitivity for animals in an institution responsible for delivering animal health care service, education of tomorrow’s veterinarians, and biomedical research.”
The Animal Care and Use Program in the college is charged with ensuring that animals used in research laboratories and teaching situations receive the most humane, most appropriate care.
A staff of about 25 professionally trained personnel is responsible for the care of approximately 1,500 animals in more than a dozen species. The majority are rats and mice, but there are also dogs, cats, poultry, horses, cows, goats, pigs, fish, birds, guinea pigs, and gerbils.
The animals are housed on campus and on off-campus farms and facilities as far away as Tifton.
“We take really good care of our animals,” King says, “and I’m overjoyed that we did as well as we did. I’m very proud of my staff for their hard work, and am grateful to all the people who helped in this effort. We had tremendous support from university administration.”
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