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| June 13, 2003
‘Gold standard’ in laboratory animal care Auburn Awarded Prestigious AAALAC Accreditation Auburn
University’s College of Veterinary Medicine has earned full accreditation
from the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal
Care International (AAALAC International). The achievement is considered
the “gold standard” in the care and use of animals in science, according
to Dr. Michael Hart, director of Laboratory Animal Health.
“It is a voluntary process and is very difficult to attain,”Dr. Hart
said. The AAALAC is a nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through its voluntary accreditation program. The organization looks at an institution’s veterinary care, facilities, personnel training, emergency planning, operating procedures, and occupational health and safety program. Another primary focus is the institution’s administration and its commitment to animal health. “The application process involved an intense self-assessment of our animal care and use program, followed by a thorough peer-review by AAALAC site visitors,” he said. “We have always met strict guidelines, but this is an even higher standard.” Auburn University’s research and teaching programs involving animals are regulated by AU’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Public Health Service. “Our new accreditation will provide the College of Veterinary Medicine with many advantages,” said Dr. Timothy Boosinger, AU veterinary dean. “AAALAC accreditation is highly regarded by funding agencies and it should help our faculty obtain more research monies.” Dr. Harts says that Auburn has made significant improvements in the last five years to upgrade its laboratory animal care facilities and programs. In addition, AAALAC looked at the entire veterinary campus in its assessment, including construction of a new Large Animal Teaching Hospital. “Earning this new accreditation underscores our commitment to having a premiere laboratory animal care program,” Dr. Hart added. |
“We
earned full accreditation on our first attempt, although we had been working
toward this goal for several years. It is a significant achievement for
our program and it is the culmination of the efforts of many people.”