No top menu
<!-- no script -->
|
|
Research animal care organization extends Health Science Campus program’s accreditation |
| By
Jon Strunk |
|
|
Nov 6, 2007 |
|
The University of Toledo Health Science Campus is expecting another full three-year accreditation for its research animal care program following a site visit from the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC), an independent, nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science.
Site visitors evaluated the University’s policies and practices to confirm UT is running a high-quality care program, holding the program up against international standards and top peer institutions, and will recommend full accreditation to the association council at its next meeting in January, said Dr. Brent Martin, director of the Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine.
“One of the most important elements of this accreditation is its voluntary nature,” Martin said, adding that the Health Science Campus — as the former Medical College of Ohio — has been continually accredited since 1981. “UT is dedicated to doing the best possible science, and our dedication to this process is a prime example.”
Martin said the nature of the AAALAC accreditation process, as a peer-review by member organizations, ensures that the animal care practices are fully compliant with policies and laws regarding the treatment of research animals, creating an environment for high-quality research.
"Humane animal use is an essential component of outstanding research, and it is our goal to ensure that all UT investigators have the benefit of the best animal care we can provide," Martin said.
Dr. Doug Wilkerson, vice president for research administration, said the goal is to unify the Main Campus and the Health Science Campus under a single, institution-wide, AAALAC-accredited animal care program.
Martin also said the site visitors commented positively on the university-wide effort needed to make the program so strong.
“This accreditation is thanks to a big effort from individuals across the campus every day,” Martin said, highlighting faculty researchers as well as employees in facilities maintenance. “The site visitors singled out the people from the Department of Safety and Health as really making a positive contribution to the strength of our program.”
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
