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Located Inside: Research Policy Handbook

Summary:

Describes training sessions provided for those involved in the care or use of laboratory animals, and indicates who should attend

Related Research Policy Handbook Documents:

1.4    Administrative Panels for Research Compliance
8.1    Animal Welfare Assurance: Core Contents

SEE ALSO:  A-PLAC Home Page

Authority:

Memorandum from:
Charles Kruger,
   Vice Provost and Dean of Research and Graduate Policy
Eugene Bauer,
   Vice President of Medical Affairs and Dean
Edward Stinson,
   Chair, Administrative Panel on Laboratory Animal Care
Linda Cork,
   Chair, Department of Comparative Medicine

Contact Person:

Attending Veterinarian, Department of Comparative Medicine

     TO:    Investigators Involved with Animal Research

The privilege of conducting research using animal subjects at Stanford University depends on the University's compliance with federal and state regulations governing the humane care and use of laboratory animals. One of those regulations requires assurance that individuals involved in the care and use of animals in research be qualified to perform their duties. To that end, the University must provide appropriate training and instruction to all investigators. This memo announces a new training program and describes who is expected to attend. We recognize that much relevant training occurs within each research unit, and that many individuals have background experience that qualifies them in certain aspects of the care and use of animals. However, we believe broad attendance by those involved in animal research at Stanford is essential. Principal Investigators must keep in mind that it is their responsibility to guarantee the appropriate training of their students, associates, and staff, and to make sure that their research programs are in compliance with all regulations and policies governing the care and use of animals. This brief course will help P.I.s do this, and it will enable the Department of Comparative Medicine to document the delivery of this initial training.

Who should attend the Animal Care and Use Training Sessions? It is our expectation that all faculty, researchers, students, and staff who are new to animal research at Stanford will attend. This includes all those who intend to file a protocol for the first time or whose names are being added to existing protocols. In addition to new investigators, we strongly encourage all investigators, graduate students, fellows, and staff engaged in animal research to attend. The information in the course will make it easier to prepare protocols properly and to comply with regulations about housing, care, and euthanasia. At a minimum, we expect at least one experienced individual from each research group to attend a session and disseminate relevant information to other members of the laboratory.

The core training program, reviewed and approved by APLAC, will be offered periodically. You are expected to attend one of these 3 1/2-hour sessions. In the future, there will be additional special lectures targeted for individuals whose use of animals in research and teaching creates special training needs (e.g., work with non-human primates, survival surgery, and use of biohazardous agents).

We encourage you to bring your associates, students, and staff to one of these sessions. You and they will acquire useful information including an introduction to the animal care and research resources currently available through the Veterinary Service Center of the Department of Comparative Medicine. For questions about the training program, please contact the Department of Comparative Medicine.