Review of the Online One Welfare Portal: Shared Curriculum Resources for Veterinary Undergraduate Learning and Teaching in Animal Welfare and Ethics

Paul D. McGreevy; Anne Fawcett; Jane Johnson; Rafael Freire; Teresa Collins; Chris Degeling; Andrew D. Fisher; Susan J. Hazel; Jennifer Hood; Janice K. F. Lloyd; Clive J. C. Phillips; Kevin Stafford; Michelle L. Hyde; Bethany Wilson; Vicky Tzioumis

doi:10.3390/ani10081341

Animals (Aug 2020)

Review of the Online One Welfare Portal: Shared Curriculum Resources for Veterinary Undergraduate Learning and Teaching in Animal Welfare and Ethics

Paul D. McGreevy,
Anne Fawcett,
Jane Johnson,
Rafael Freire,
Teresa Collins,
Chris Degeling,
Andrew D. Fisher,
Susan J. Hazel,
Jennifer Hood,
Janice K. F. Lloyd,
Clive J. C. Phillips,
Kevin Stafford,
Michelle L. Hyde,
Bethany Wilson,
Vicky Tzioumis

Affiliations

Paul D. McGreevy: Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Anne Fawcett: Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Jane Johnson: Department of Philosophy, Hearing Hub, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
Rafael Freire: School of Animal and Veterinary Science, Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia
Teresa Collins: School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
Chris Degeling: Australian Centre for Health Engagement, Evidence and Values, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
Andrew D. Fisher: Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3100, Australia
Susan J. Hazel: School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5005, Australia
Jennifer Hood: School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
Janice K. F. Lloyd: College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
Clive J. C. Phillips: School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia
Kevin Stafford: Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
Michelle L. Hyde: Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Bethany Wilson: Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Vicky Tzioumis: Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10081341
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 10, no. 8
p. 1341

Abstract

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This article introduces the online One Welfare learning and teaching portal (OWP) and describes its development, use, importance and relevance to animal welfare and ethics (AWE) stakeholders. As animal welfare issues increase in importance, veterinarians must be trained to lead the science that underpins AWE discourses. The OWP is a collection of resources designed to engage and challenge veterinary science students as they become advocates for animals. It was developed collaboratively by all eight veterinary schools in Australia and New Zealand, and funded by the Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching. Surveys to investigate the attitudes of students and educators to AWE issues in six context-specific themes based on the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS) (companion animals; animals used in research and teaching; livestock/production animals; animals used for sport, recreation or display; animals in the wild and aquatic animals) were administered through all participating schools. Students assigned more importance to Day One competence in knowledge of welfare concepts than did educators for the following groups: production animals, companion animals, animals in the wild, aquatic animals, animals used in research and teaching, and animals used for sport, recreation or display (all p p social, economic and cultural drivers of welfare outcomes in production animals (p slaughter and preslaughter inspections in production animals (p animal abuse and hoarding in companion animals (p shelter medicine in companion animals (p disaster preparedness in wildlife animals (p pain and distress caused by fishing in aquatic animals (p conscientious objection related to animals held for research and teaching (p behaviour, selection and training of animals used for sport, recreation and display (p = 0.046) and educating the public around sporting animal welfare (p strategies to address painful husbandryprocedures in production animals (p = 0.03); behaviour and training of companion animals (p = 0.03); veterinarians’ duties to wild animals in wildlife (p = 0.02); the 3Rs in animals held for research and teaching (p = 0.03) and ownership responsibility in sporting animals (p = 0.01). This report discusses the reasons for differences among students and educators as they approach these issues. The portal is expected to gather more content as veterinary schools in other countries use its resources and users submit scenarios and discussion topics that reflect local needs.

Published in Animals

ISSN: 2076-2615 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Agriculture: Animal culture: Veterinary medicine; Science: Zoology
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/animals/

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