Animal Welfare in Veterinary Education and Training

The quality of veterinary education in animal welfare science, pain recognition, and communication skills directly affects the welfare outcomes of millions of animals seen in clinical practice, making vet school curriculum design a significant welfare lever.

Key Facts

Animal welfare science became a formal academic discipline in the 1960s, but integration into veterinary curricula has been uneven across institutions and countries
Pain recognition and management training in veterinary education has historically been limited, with studies showing that new graduates underestimate and undertreat pain
Communication skills training — helping vets discuss welfare concerns, treatment costs, and end-of-life decisions with owners — improves patient outcomes
The RCVS Day One Competences for veterinary graduates include welfare assessment, pain recognition, and euthanasia decision-making skills
Continuing professional development in animal welfare science is available through RCVS Knowledge and specialist organisations but uptake varies
Veterinary nurses and technicians are increasingly recognised as frontline welfare advocates within practice, requiring welfare-specific training
Simulation-based training using mannequins and virtual cases reduces the number of live animal procedures needed in veterinary education

Welfare Considerations

Veterinary education quality directly determines the welfare of animals in clinical care. A vet who cannot reliably recognise pain, who lacks confidence in welfare discussions with clients, or who has not been trained in modern analgesic protocols will provide inferior welfare outcomes for their patients regardless of their technical surgical or diagnostic skills. The historical underemphasis on pain management in veterinary education has resulted in generations of practitioners who underestimate and undertreat pain — a documented welfare harm that has only slowly been addressed through curriculum reform. Investment in welfare-integrated veterinary education, including pain recognition, welfare assessment tools, and client communication, is one of the highest-leverage welfare interventions in the companion animal sector.

What You Can Do

Choose veterinary practices that demonstrate commitment to pain assessment and management as a standard of care
Support veterinary schools and continuing education programmes that integrate animal welfare science throughout clinical training
Advocate for RCVS and equivalent regulatory bodies to strengthen welfare assessment and pain management requirements in veterinary curricula
Engage with your own veterinarian about pain management options for your animal and ask about how pain is assessed during treatment