Facility orientations, Hands-on Workshops, and Mentor-facilitated training have resumed.

Restart of Animal User Training

In-person, on-site facility orientations, hands-on workshops, and mentor-facilitated training have re-opened in limited capacity and subject to public health precautions.

Assignment of Training

Self-enrolment in training sessions through registration in Eventlink [1] is closed. Students and eligible researchers waiting to participate in training will instead be assigned to the appropriate training events based on the information submitted in the Animal Utilization Protocol (AUP) [2]. The Principal Investigator (PI) will be contacted by our training office training@uoguelph.ca [3] to clarify training requirement. Once relevant training has been determined, participants will be given a specific date and time for training, and both PI and trainee will be contacted.

Registration for the online Core Modules [1] in Eventlink [1] remains available.

Modified Set-up

The training sessions will be held frequently, in smaller settings, and with a low student/instructor ratio. The aim is to provide the training in a timely manner according to the research project schedule. Training will be delivered by staff technicians, facility managers, research station staff, and veterinarians.

Covid19 Public Health Measures

The training sessions are conducted in a manner that follows strict safety protocols that adhere to public health requirements and the University’s Return-to-Campus [4] directives. All participants must wear face masks when entering and circulating within the facility spaces. Participants are not to come to class if feeling ill or showing any signs of illness, or should be self-isolating under current COVID-19 measures. Disinfecting practices and mandatory personal protective equipment (PPE) for both trainer and trainees will be required at sessions. Further instructions will be provided at the invitation to the training sessions.

What PIs need to do

• Ensure your student/research team member is added to the AUP. A condition for approval is that the person has successfully completed the online Core Modules [1].
• When listing a new person to the AUP, identify the procedure/s the person is expected to independently perform. Avoid adding the person to further procedures, as this will delay the approval process and the training assignment.
• NOTE: Investigators are asked to avoid, wherever possible, the introduction of new and inexperienced personnel to the animal facilities, and instead give preference to already trained personnel in their conduct of animal-based projects.

The list of training offered is found at the Facility Orientation and Workshop Schedule [5]. PIs are reminded that all research personnel working with animals must have met mandatory training requirements and have the practical skills necessary to competently perform animal-based tasks. Animal Care Services [6] is asking investigators for their patience and flexibility in the process of providing your research team with the best options for relevant training.

Animal User Training

Individuals involved with the care and use of animals for research and teaching at the University of Guelph must have good knowledge of the provincial regulations governing experimental animal use, national standards pertaining to the use of animals in science in Canada, and our own institution’s policy on animal care. In addition, everyone must be familiar with ethical issues and animal welfare concerns associated with such use. Training requirements must be fulfilled before individuals are granted the privilege of working with, and caring for animals through their activities or employment with the University of Guelph. The purpose of the training is to foster a philosophy of compassion and respect for the animals and for all individuals to develop competency in handling and procedural practices. The Animal User Training Program follows the principles of the 3Rs [7], which teach the concepts to replace, reduce and refine animal use whenever possible.

The Program is set up to deliver resources, training and supervision to a wide range of personnel involved with animals at the University including Principal Investigators, research staff, student volunteers, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, visitors, and undergraduate students taking part in research projects. The Program also incorporates animal care staff professionals, veterinarians and technicians, who provide regular clinical services and animal care. Required training will be determined from information on relevant Animal Utilization Protocols and based on the role of the trainee, animal species and procedures involved.

The Animal User Training Program complies with the Animals for Research Act of Ontario [8] and is in accord with the Guidelines on Training of Personnel involved in the Use of Animals in Science (draft, to be published 2014) put forth by the Canadian Council on Animal Care [9] (CCAC).

Registration for any element of the Animal User Training Program happens through Eventlink [1].

Consult our Facility Orientation and Workshop Schedule [5] for upcoming dates.

Contacts

For inquires related to training, please contact training@uoguelph.ca [3] . For questions related to AUP review and approval, please contact acc@uoguelph.ca [10].

Please check the COVID-19 website [11] and the Office of Research website [12] for updates regarding any disruptions due to COVID-19.