In order to ensure the humane treatment of animals and to be in compliance with federal regulations, all faculty, staff and students doing research or teaching that involves animals must be trained so that they are qualified to perform their duties. Specific requirements include basic animal needs, animal handling, pre- and post-procedural care, aseptic surgical techniques, use of anesthetics and analgesics, recognition of pain and distress, euthanasia, research procedures and methods whereby deficiencies in animal care and treatment are reported. The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) has developed policies and procedures to address the training requirements cited in the Animal Welfare Act, the Health Research Extension Act, and in the Guide for the Care & Use of Laboratory Animals.

The University of Maryland training program includes a required class taken by all principal investigators (PI) and animal users (AU) and on-line courses and in-facility training as appropriate. The Director of the Department of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR) is the coordinator of the program and determines the on-line and in-facility training necessary for each individual. Completion of the PI/AU course (see below) by the PI is a prerequisite for protocol approval. Completion of training of all animal users is required prior to initiation of work on the animal study and is the responsibility of the principal investigator.

Individuals not affiliated with the University of Maryland who participate in animal studies on campus must provide the IACUC and DLAR with evidence of adequate training before beginning the study.

Documentation of training and proficiency will be reviewed by the IACUC during the semi-annual program review. Training records for the PI/AU course will be kept in a database accessible by LAR and the IACUC Manager. Records for the on-line courses and in-facility training will be kept by the PI.

1. Principal Investigator / Animal User (PI/AU) Training
   The PI/AU training course is a one-hour classroom course taught by the Director of DLAR. This course is required for the PI and all personnel listed on a protocol who have direct contact with animals used in research or teaching. Registration for the class may be made by contacting the DLAR ( dpowell@umd.edu).


2. On-line Courses
   The on-line training program is a supplement to the PI/AU and in-facility training. It consists of a variety of modules offered by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) Learning Library. On-line courses required by the DLAR will depend on the species used, experimental procedures, and proficiency of the trainee. To obtain a password and user name, contact the DLAR (dpowell@umd.edu).


3. In-facility Training
   In-facility training may be conducted by anyone who is competent in the procedure, such as the PI, post-doctoral associate, research technician or DLAR personnel. The training may be done on an individual basis or as a group, hands-on or in a classroom setting. In-facility training should cover animal procedures not covered in other training and emphasize animal procedures performed under the protocol. Individuals providing in-facility training are required to document who provided the training, names of the trainees, training topics and date. In lieu of training individuals well versed in a topic, the PI or other qualified person may provide a short narrative detailing the person’s proficiency and qualifications proficiency.

1. UM Libraries Animal Welfare Resources - http://www.lib.umd.edu/guides/animal_welfare.html
   The University of Maryland guide to locating animal welfare information at the UM Libraries. It covers information on animals involved in research, testing and teaching, alternatives to animal use, training and education of animal caretakers or technicians, etc., analgesia, anesthesia and euthaniasia, transportation and acquisition of animals, humane treatment, environmental factors, animal management, institutional animal care and use committees, philosophies, and animal behavior.

1. Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) - http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/olaw.htm
   This site includes a tutorial on the Public Health Service Policy and the requirements for an animal care and use program.
   Links of interest at the site include:

   • Dear Colleague Letters & NIH Guide Notices (clarifications on policy)
   • Useful Links (a listing of other sites of interest)
   • Web Resources for IACUCs (a descriptive listing of useful web-sites)



2. Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (USDA) - http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/
   This site for the animal welfare section of APHIS provides information on licensed facilities and updates on legislation. Links of interest include:

   • Question & Answer Page (for more common questions about the law and regulationss)
     
   • Policy Manual (clarification of regulations with specifics written in plain English)

3. U.S. Government Principles For The Utilization & Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research and Teaching - http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/phspol.htm
   The principles govern the review of animal use protocols and the bases for the specific sections on the protocol forms.

1. Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals - http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/labrats
   The “bible” for laboratory animal facilities, it describes the necessary components of a quality laboratory animal care program. Written by the Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources (ILAR), this is the primary reference used by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC).


2. CCAC Guide for the Care and Use of Experimental Animals - http://www.ccac.ca/en/CCAC_Programs/Guidelines_Policies/GUIDES/ENGLISH/toc_v1.htm
   This is the Canadian equivalent to the ILAR Guide. Part I emphasizes IACUC matters and general information on anesthetics, surgery, etc. Part II provides species specific information.


3. 2007 AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia - http://www.avma.org/resources/euthanasia.pdf
   This reference lists acceptable euthanasia practices.


4. Field Study Guides

   • Guidelines for The Use of Wild Birds In Research
     (The Ornithological Council)
     http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/GuideToUse/
   
   
   • Guidelines for The Capture, Handling & Care of Mammals
     (American Society of Mammologists)
     http://www.mammalsociety.org/committees/commanimalcareuse/98acucguidelines.PDF
   
   
   • Guidelines for the Use of Fishes in Research
     (American Fisheries Society)
     http://http://web.fisheries.org/main/images/stories/afs/guidelines2004.pdf
   
   
   • Guidelines for Use of Live Amphibians and Reptiles in Field Research
     (American Society of Ichthyologists & Herpetologists, The Herpetologists' League, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles)
     http://www.aaalac.org/accreditation/Guidelines_for_Use_of_Live_Amphibians_and_Reptiles.pdf

1. AALAS Site for IACUCs - http://www.iacuc.org
   Established specifically as a resource for IACUCs, it can be searched for a wide variety of topics including: alternatives, databases, institutional guidelines, training and links to specific institutional web-sites.


2. NIH Genome/Animal Model - http://www.nih.gov/science/models
   Primarily a resource for information on genome models (vertebrate and invertebrates), it contains links for information on the mouse, rat, xenopus and zebrafish.


3. Whole Mouse Catalog - http://www.rodentia.com/wmc/
   An excellent resource on “all things” mice. Provides information and links on genome, organismal physiology & pathology, anatomy, disease models, vendors, pet mice and rats and other topics.


4. Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources (ILAR) - http://dels.nas.edu/ilar/
   A National Academy of Sciences site. Includes information on animal models and strains, genetic stock database, and web search capabilities. Many past issues of the ILAR journal are available on on-line and include issues on “hot topics” in animal research such as humane endpoints, adjuvants & antibody production, non-invasive technology, animal models, and special issues on fish, amphibians and reptiles


5. NetVet - The Electronic Zoo - http://netvet.wustl.edu/e-zoo.htm
   An excellent resource on information about a wide variety of animal species