Training & Education

Appropriate training of research and teaching personnel is necessary to ensure the health and welfare of animals and the safety of personnel. In addition, federal regulations and guidelines require adequate training of people using animals in biomedical research. ARP provides a variety of training opportunities and resources to investigators, technicians and students at no charge. Small group seminars and workshops, internet tutorials and information, and one-on-one training for specific procedures are all available and include the activities listed below. Contact the ARP office for more information on these activities.

Laboratory Animal User Orientation

(not yet available online)

An online tutorial designed to acquaint new animal users with the structure and function of the PSU Animal Resource Program.

Rodent Surgery Tutorial

(not yet available online)

An online tutorial that must be completed by all research personnel who will be performing rodent surgery at PSU.

Animal Source Newsletters

An informational and educational newsletter emailed quarterly to principle investigators and published on the ARP website.

Mouse Biomethodology Laboratory Workshop

This is a 2 hour laboratory hands-on laboratory offered once a semester that provides participants with instruction and practice in mouse handling, restraint, and common experimental procedures including blood collection.

Mouse Breeding and Colony Management Workshop

(coming soon)

This 1 1/2 hour classroom workshop offered once a semester introduces mouse users to the basics of mouse biology and reproduction, genetics and breeding.

Rodent Surgery Workshop

This 3 hour laboratory provides research personnel with the opportunity to learn and apply basic surgical concepts and techniques used in rodent surgery. No prior surgical experience is required.

Calving Sense Workshop

A 1 hour workshop designed to provide students and farm employees with a basic understanding of parturition in cattle and how to manage dystocias. This workshop can be arranged by contacting ARP to schedule a time.

Credit courses offered by the PSU Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences:

Laboratory Animal Science (VB SC 405)

A 3 credit lecture and laboratory course that introduces students to the biology of a variety of laboratory animal species, explores the care and use of animals in various types of research and introduces students to sources of information pertaining to the care of use of laboratory animals.

Surgery in Research (VB SC 497A)

A 2 credit lecture and laboratory course providing students with instruction and practice in anesthesia and surgical techniques used in research animals.

Individualized training covering specific animal related procedures may be arranged through the ARP veterinarians or veterinary technician. Please contact the ARP office for more information.