Welfare of Animals in Veterinary Research Training

Veterinary students require hands-on training in surgical techniques, but the use of live animals for teaching procedures is increasingly replaced by simulation technologies.

Key Facts

Approximately 50,000 animals are used annually in veterinary education in Europe
Terminal live animal surgeries are still used in some veterinary schools for teaching standard procedures
Simulator technology including synthetic tissue models and virtual reality can replicate surgical training
Studies show students trained on simulators perform equally well as those trained on live animals
The ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines for animal research reporting include education as a category requiring justification

Welfare Considerations

Animals used in terminal veterinary teaching surgeries — typically healthy animals euthanased under anaesthetic during the training procedure — experience the welfare costs of surgical anaesthesia, handling stress and loss of life. Where simulators can replace live animals without educational compromise, the 3Rs principle strongly supports their adoption. Schools using live animals for procedures where validated alternatives exist are increasingly challenged by students and professional bodies.

What You Can Do

Support veterinary schools that have committed to replacing terminal live animal surgeries with simulators
Advocate for national veterinary accreditation bodies to require 3Rs implementation in teaching
Donate to simulator technology development for veterinary education
Engage with veterinary professional bodies on their policies for live animal use in training