Dear laboratory animal researchers

Karolinska Institute’s laboratory animal science webinar on Friday, 27 October, discusses factors that impact research animal behavior, and how it is assessed and taken into consideration to enhance animal welfare and science. See below more detailed information and registration instructions.

Note that the number of attendants in these Karolinska Institute webinars is limited. Persons not affiliated to KI or to any of the sponsors listed in the registration form may be let out if there are too many participants.

Best regards,

Sakari

Sakari Laaksonen

Designated veterinarian

Oulu Laboratory Animal Centre (OULAC)

University of Oulu, Finland

Postal address: PO Box 5000, 90014 University of Oulu, Finland

Tel: +358 294 48 5097

Dear colleague,

Registration is open for the free webinar “Leveraging Knowledge of Research Animal Behavior to Enhance Welfare” which will be presented by Kathryn Bayne, MS, PhD, DVM, DACLAM, DACAW, CAAB, Chief Executive Officer, AAALAC International, MD, USA.

Date: Friday, 27 October 2023, Stockholm 2 PM CEST

ABSTRACT

A first-tier method of assessing an animal’s welfare is often a judgment based on observable behavior. The challenge this approach poses is made more complex by the numerous published definitions of welfare, which can lead to different interpretations of the same behavioral observation; the range of behavioral normalcy for a species or population of animal (i.e., its biology); individual animal differences; the time when behavioral observations are conducted; the appropriate weighting of any abnormalities observed; and the need to minimize any personal bias of the observer. A well-designed Behavioral Management Program (BMP) takes these considerations into account. The BMP is an overarching framework that aims to improve research animal welfare through consideration of social housing, environmental enrichment, animal training, facility design, and the assessment of behavior and mitigation of observed behavioral abnormalities.  The various intrinsic and extrinsic factors that impact research animal behavior will be described, as these form the foundation of a successful BMP. When appropriately gathered and interpreted, behavior observations can be an important and practical tool to assess welfare and validate that management practices address not only extant behavioral concerns but the underlying welfare issue. 

SPEAKER

Dr. Kathryn Bayne, CEO of AAALAC International, is a renowned veterinary applied animal behaviorist. She has led research programs on psychological well-being and environmental enrichment for various laboratory animal species at the NIH. With over 100 publications, she chaired both AVMA's and ASLAP’s Animal Welfare Committee and is a key contributor to OIE and CIOMS guidelines. She serves as Executive Editor-in-Chief of Laboratory Animal (Animal Welfare) for CALAS. A recipient of AVMA's Animal Welfare Award, her global impact earned her the Charles River Prize and a Korean College of Laboratory Animal Medicine Plaque of Appreciation.

Register here (by October 26, 16:00 CEST)

Best wishes,

Rafael

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Rafael Frías DVM, MSc, PhD, Assoc. Prof.

Head, Department of Comparative Medicine (AKM)

Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer (NACWO)

Karolinska University Hospital (Solna)

Anna Steckséns 53, L1:U1 | 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden

+46 70167-1632 | rafael.frias-beneyto@regionstockholm.se

Karolinska Experimental Research and Imaging Centre (KERIC)

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