Engaging Industry to develop best practice for laboratory-housed dogs, improving welfare and quality of scientific output
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Stirling
Department Name: Psychology
Abstract
Over 3,500 dogs were used in UK laboratories in 2013 in the safety testing of new medicines, with many more used
globally and use set to rise given changes in legislation on testing chemicals and safety assessment. Despite this, we do not have a sound evidence-base to determine the best practice for housing or scientific procedures in the dog. Our BBSRC Industrial CASE studentship project sought to identify the link between dog welfare and quality of data output, as well as developing Refinement strategies to improve and harmonise welfare and data quality. The results of the study showed an effect of welfare particularly on heart rate and blood pressure data, but also on behaviour, psychological state, and sensitivity to mechanical pressure. Our findings also showed significant benefits to welfare of implementing a short training protocol in the pre-study acclimatisation phase of a study where a compound was delivered directly to the dog's stomach through a tube (oral gavage). There are many more aspects of the laboratory dog's life cycle which remain to be Refined and data are still lacking on the best methods for doing so.
We have hosted an Impact Workshop with our existing and other potential partners, as well as a member of the Home Office's Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU), to identify procedures most suitable for Refinement and to develop practical strategies which can be integrated into existing protocols.
We have three main objectives:
(1) Despite new European legislation there is still a need to harmonise practices across multinational Industry to ensure that data are comparable. Our first objective is to for LH to acquire a broad understanding of the range of housing, husbandry, and procedure practice, together with the rationale for the existing practices, and provide a centralised resource, in the form of a website to share across all users. Much of this will be open access, providing details of welfare assessment in the dog. It will include photographs, videos and recent publications. A closed registration-only section will provide information on how to conduct procedures, such as oral gavage and inhalation, as humanely as possible.
(2) Our Partners have highlighted four procedures, oral gavage, inhalation studies, jacketed telemetry and single housing, that could be modified to improve welfare. Data will be collected on the dogs' welfare and the quality of data output. We shall also collect data on the time investment as any changes must be feasible to implement.
(3) Building up on the knowledge and experience gained from both the PhD and from the second objective, we shall deliver training and engagement activities that will be accredited by LASA for relevant staff to gain recognised qualifications. These will include training courses, talks and other activities, and will be delivered free of charge to all major companies using dogs in the UK (one Partner company will no longer be housing dogs, but is instrumental in the development of the engagement activities). Increasing understanding of welfare and learning theory would also allow responsible staff such as technicians and welfare officers to promote better welfare and understand the need for Refinement and its benefits to the quality of scientific data.
The outcome of this project will be for LH to gain skills and experience, and to provide evidence-based recommendations to disseminated across a network of highly-experienced colleagues working with dogs to improve their welfare and scientific output, with the potential to reduce the number of dogs used in laboratory research and testing and impact on guidelines and policy.
globally and use set to rise given changes in legislation on testing chemicals and safety assessment. Despite this, we do not have a sound evidence-base to determine the best practice for housing or scientific procedures in the dog. Our BBSRC Industrial CASE studentship project sought to identify the link between dog welfare and quality of data output, as well as developing Refinement strategies to improve and harmonise welfare and data quality. The results of the study showed an effect of welfare particularly on heart rate and blood pressure data, but also on behaviour, psychological state, and sensitivity to mechanical pressure. Our findings also showed significant benefits to welfare of implementing a short training protocol in the pre-study acclimatisation phase of a study where a compound was delivered directly to the dog's stomach through a tube (oral gavage). There are many more aspects of the laboratory dog's life cycle which remain to be Refined and data are still lacking on the best methods for doing so.
We have hosted an Impact Workshop with our existing and other potential partners, as well as a member of the Home Office's Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU), to identify procedures most suitable for Refinement and to develop practical strategies which can be integrated into existing protocols.
We have three main objectives:
(1) Despite new European legislation there is still a need to harmonise practices across multinational Industry to ensure that data are comparable. Our first objective is to for LH to acquire a broad understanding of the range of housing, husbandry, and procedure practice, together with the rationale for the existing practices, and provide a centralised resource, in the form of a website to share across all users. Much of this will be open access, providing details of welfare assessment in the dog. It will include photographs, videos and recent publications. A closed registration-only section will provide information on how to conduct procedures, such as oral gavage and inhalation, as humanely as possible.
(2) Our Partners have highlighted four procedures, oral gavage, inhalation studies, jacketed telemetry and single housing, that could be modified to improve welfare. Data will be collected on the dogs' welfare and the quality of data output. We shall also collect data on the time investment as any changes must be feasible to implement.
(3) Building up on the knowledge and experience gained from both the PhD and from the second objective, we shall deliver training and engagement activities that will be accredited by LASA for relevant staff to gain recognised qualifications. These will include training courses, talks and other activities, and will be delivered free of charge to all major companies using dogs in the UK (one Partner company will no longer be housing dogs, but is instrumental in the development of the engagement activities). Increasing understanding of welfare and learning theory would also allow responsible staff such as technicians and welfare officers to promote better welfare and understand the need for Refinement and its benefits to the quality of scientific data.
The outcome of this project will be for LH to gain skills and experience, and to provide evidence-based recommendations to disseminated across a network of highly-experienced colleagues working with dogs to improve their welfare and scientific output, with the potential to reduce the number of dogs used in laboratory research and testing and impact on guidelines and policy.
Technical Summary
In the UK, around 85% of the >3,500 dogs used in scientific research are used for safety assessment of new medicines. Our objectives are to:
(1) Develop a centralised web resource for those working in dog facilities
LH will learn about existing practices and welfare implications for dogs, and bring together the information (written materials, guides, publications, videos and photographs) to share with the dog-using community to allow them to make planned Refinements. The website will be available to those employed in dog facilities.
(2) Quantify the Refinements of scientific procedures with Partners
In association with our Partners and using the Welfare Assessment Framework which has validated indicators of positive and negative welfare (eg behaviour, nociception, cardiac, affect), we have identified four potential regulated procedures for Refinement. These will be rolled out where appropriate utilising desensitisation, positive reinforcement training and increased predictability. Changes to key parameters will be monitored (eg clinical pathology) to determine whether the quality of the scientific output is also improved.
(3) Deliver engagement activities to Industry
Using existing data and that developed, we will deliver targeted, and accredited, training to staff in dog facilities, specifically using positive reinforcement training and desensitisation. Staff will be trained in principles of welfare monitoring and learning theory, undertaking practical experience of training with on-going support available via (1). The experience and skills gained in objectives 1 and 2, as well as our Partners' input are critical to the success of 3.
The project should provide LH with the knowledge, skills and expertise to be uniquely placed to provide a network for the dissemination, sharing and harmonisation of best practice nationally and internationally. Our Partners will provide the opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge and share their expertise
(1) Develop a centralised web resource for those working in dog facilities
LH will learn about existing practices and welfare implications for dogs, and bring together the information (written materials, guides, publications, videos and photographs) to share with the dog-using community to allow them to make planned Refinements. The website will be available to those employed in dog facilities.
(2) Quantify the Refinements of scientific procedures with Partners
In association with our Partners and using the Welfare Assessment Framework which has validated indicators of positive and negative welfare (eg behaviour, nociception, cardiac, affect), we have identified four potential regulated procedures for Refinement. These will be rolled out where appropriate utilising desensitisation, positive reinforcement training and increased predictability. Changes to key parameters will be monitored (eg clinical pathology) to determine whether the quality of the scientific output is also improved.
(3) Deliver engagement activities to Industry
Using existing data and that developed, we will deliver targeted, and accredited, training to staff in dog facilities, specifically using positive reinforcement training and desensitisation. Staff will be trained in principles of welfare monitoring and learning theory, undertaking practical experience of training with on-going support available via (1). The experience and skills gained in objectives 1 and 2, as well as our Partners' input are critical to the success of 3.
The project should provide LH with the knowledge, skills and expertise to be uniquely placed to provide a network for the dissemination, sharing and harmonisation of best practice nationally and internationally. Our Partners will provide the opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge and share their expertise
Planned Impact
Interchanger (Researcher Co-I)
The primary impact will be upon the Interchanger (LH). While LH is well-placed to conduct this research, and has considerable experience in working with laboratory-housed dogs, experience of different facilities and operating procedures will increase her understanding of global dog use. While LH holds a PIL, she is not experienced in conducting regulated procedures. Designing Refinements in conjunction with experienced staff will allow LH a greater understanding of each regulated procedure. While LH has experience collecting and analyzing behavioural and cardiovascular data, she is not experienced in collecting and analyzing physiological data. Staff at our Partner companies are experienced in these techniques and time spent on site will allow LH to learn these techniques (e.g. clinical pathology, pathology).
Industry
The beneficiaries will be those working in industry using dogs in (especially safety assessment) research. There are seven multinational companies with dog facilities in the UK, three of whom are partners, and another three are supporting our project (see letters). Breeders of dogs for scientific purposes also have a vested interest in increasing the fidelity of the dog models they supply to Industry. The material on offer in the engagement activities, training and website will be of value to care, technical and scientific staff.
Harmonisation of welfare and data output between sites within companies has proven to be difficult, even under considerable standardisation, with improved welfare often leading to greater harmonisation in data output. Dog use most likely exceeds 100,000 dogs per year, much of which is conducted outwith the UK by companies with a UK presence. The potential impact of this research is considerable. We describe stakeholders in the project in broad categories. Two Impact Workshops are planned for the beginning and end of the project to bring key stakeholders together to engage in and then monitor the impact of the project.
Regulators
The Home Office Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU) was represented at our Impact Workshop suggesting that the information gained by Refinements, and the materials for training, could be incorporated into the Home Office dog module which prospective new licensees must undertake. Refinements may lead to a downgrade in severity limits.
Information which changes the interpretation of findings or increases confidence in its interpretation is of interest to medical regulatory bodies such as MHRA and FDA. Increasing certainty in the cause of observed changes is critical in improving the predictability of animal models.
The public
The public continue to show a vested interest in the welfare of animals used in science and the success of research. Recently, patient groups have become more involved in LAS. The general public have particular concerns about the use of dogs, hence their special protection. There is little in the public domain supporting good practices in the dog or disseminating progress in the 3Rs. Our prospective Partners have committed to providing information for a website to support those working with dogs, with an open access area showcasing best practice.
The Government and NC3Rs
The Government has a commitment to Reducing the numbers of animals used in scientific procedures, while also supporting scientific progress. Refinement of procedures and improvement of data quality can increase statistical power and Reduce animal numbers. The Government set up and contributes to funding the NC3Rs with the remit of promoting the 3Rs in UK-based research. Hall has already provided information for the NC3Rs webpage promoting best practice in the dog.
Organisations supporting the Laboratory Animal Sciences (LAS)
Within the UK there are several organisations, such as LASA, LAVA and IAT which support those working in LAS and provide information on best practice and technical training.
The primary impact will be upon the Interchanger (LH). While LH is well-placed to conduct this research, and has considerable experience in working with laboratory-housed dogs, experience of different facilities and operating procedures will increase her understanding of global dog use. While LH holds a PIL, she is not experienced in conducting regulated procedures. Designing Refinements in conjunction with experienced staff will allow LH a greater understanding of each regulated procedure. While LH has experience collecting and analyzing behavioural and cardiovascular data, she is not experienced in collecting and analyzing physiological data. Staff at our Partner companies are experienced in these techniques and time spent on site will allow LH to learn these techniques (e.g. clinical pathology, pathology).
Industry
The beneficiaries will be those working in industry using dogs in (especially safety assessment) research. There are seven multinational companies with dog facilities in the UK, three of whom are partners, and another three are supporting our project (see letters). Breeders of dogs for scientific purposes also have a vested interest in increasing the fidelity of the dog models they supply to Industry. The material on offer in the engagement activities, training and website will be of value to care, technical and scientific staff.
Harmonisation of welfare and data output between sites within companies has proven to be difficult, even under considerable standardisation, with improved welfare often leading to greater harmonisation in data output. Dog use most likely exceeds 100,000 dogs per year, much of which is conducted outwith the UK by companies with a UK presence. The potential impact of this research is considerable. We describe stakeholders in the project in broad categories. Two Impact Workshops are planned for the beginning and end of the project to bring key stakeholders together to engage in and then monitor the impact of the project.
Regulators
The Home Office Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU) was represented at our Impact Workshop suggesting that the information gained by Refinements, and the materials for training, could be incorporated into the Home Office dog module which prospective new licensees must undertake. Refinements may lead to a downgrade in severity limits.
Information which changes the interpretation of findings or increases confidence in its interpretation is of interest to medical regulatory bodies such as MHRA and FDA. Increasing certainty in the cause of observed changes is critical in improving the predictability of animal models.
The public
The public continue to show a vested interest in the welfare of animals used in science and the success of research. Recently, patient groups have become more involved in LAS. The general public have particular concerns about the use of dogs, hence their special protection. There is little in the public domain supporting good practices in the dog or disseminating progress in the 3Rs. Our prospective Partners have committed to providing information for a website to support those working with dogs, with an open access area showcasing best practice.
The Government and NC3Rs
The Government has a commitment to Reducing the numbers of animals used in scientific procedures, while also supporting scientific progress. Refinement of procedures and improvement of data quality can increase statistical power and Reduce animal numbers. The Government set up and contributes to funding the NC3Rs with the remit of promoting the 3Rs in UK-based research. Hall has already provided information for the NC3Rs webpage promoting best practice in the dog.
Organisations supporting the Laboratory Animal Sciences (LAS)
Within the UK there are several organisations, such as LASA, LAVA and IAT which support those working in LAS and provide information on best practice and technical training.
Organisations
- University of Stirling (Lead Research Organisation)
- AstraZeneca (Collaboration)
- Envigo (United Kingdom) (Collaboration)
- Covance (Collaboration)
- Guy's Hospital (Collaboration)
- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) (Collaboration)
- Charles River Laboratories (Collaboration)
- AstraZeneca (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- GlaxoSmithKline (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Charles River Laboratories (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
Publications
Scullion Hall LE
(2017)
The influence of facility and home pen design on the welfare of the laboratory-housed dog.
in Journal of pharmacological and toxicological methods
Description | We have an ethical and scientific obligation to Refine all aspects of the life of the laboratory-housed dog. Across industry there are many differences amongst facilities, home pen design and husbandry, as well as differences in features of the dogs such as strain, sex and scientific protocols. Understanding how these influence welfare, and hence scientific output is therefore critical. A significant proportion of dogs' lives are spent in the home pen and as such, the design can have a considerable impact on welfare. Although best practice guidelines exist, there is a paucity of empirical evidence to support the recommended Refinements and uptake varies across industry. In this study, we examine the effect of modern and traditional home pen design, overall facility design, husbandry, history of regulated procedures, strain and sex on welfare-indicating behaviours and mechanical pressure threshold. Six groups of dogs from two facilities (total n=46) were observed in the home pen and tested for mechanical pressure threshold. Dogs which were housed in a purpose-built modern facility or in a modern design home pen showed the fewest behavioural indicators of negative welfare (such as alert or pacing behaviours) and more indicators of positive welfare (such as resting) compared to those in a traditional home pen design or traditional facility. Welfare indicating behaviours did not vary consistently with strain, but male dogs showed more negative welfare indicating behaviours and had greater variation in these behaviours than females. Our findings showed more positive welfare indicating behaviours in dogs with higher mechanical pressure thresholds. We conclude that factors relating to the design of home pens and implementation of Refinements at the facility level have a significant positive impact on the welfare of laboratory-housed dogs, with a potential concomitant impact on scientific endpoints. |
Exploitation Route | Implementation of Refinements in Dog Care and Use |
Sectors | Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
URL | http://refiningdogcare.com/ |
Description | Refinement of use of dogs in research and testing. Improved dog training techniques for technicians. |
First Year Of Impact | 2015 |
Sector | Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Impact Types | Societal |
Description | Changes to animal training practices |
Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Impact | Following delivery of theoretical and practical CPD to staff, along with presentation of data from study conducted within the dog facility, our partner made changes to the training delivered to staff members to improve their animal training skills, and plans have been made to roll out animal training changes across the facility. |
Description | Changes to internal policy within partner company - adoption of welfare monitoring and dosing practices |
Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Description | The Refining Dog Care online learning platform - a modular learning resource for those working with dogs in research. |
Amount | £70,502 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NC/S000860/1 |
Organisation | National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2018 |
End | 01/2021 |
Title | Dosing technique |
Description | New oral gavage dosing technique in the dog |
Type Of Material | Model of mechanisms or symptoms - mammalian in vivo |
Year Produced | 2015 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | New technique with improved welfare and scientific outcomes. Widely distributed and changes have been made within partner companies as a result. |
Title | Modifications to external telemetry technique |
Description | New acclimatisation technique developed to improve external telemetry use, including paired-housing and improved welfare outcomes. |
Type Of Material | Model of mechanisms or symptoms - mammalian in vivo |
Year Produced | 2017 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Has led to discussions about further collaborations and developments. |
Description | Collaboration with UK industry |
Organisation | AstraZeneca |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | We provide a website and on-site training to staff to facilitate welfare assessment and positive reinforcement training. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our partners provide access to staff time, resources, knowledge and facilities to conduct studies. |
Impact | There are no outcomes from this project yet. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Collaboration with UK industry |
Organisation | Charles River Laboratories |
Country | United States |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | We provide a website and on-site training to staff to facilitate welfare assessment and positive reinforcement training. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our partners provide access to staff time, resources, knowledge and facilities to conduct studies. |
Impact | There are no outcomes from this project yet. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Collaboration with UK industry |
Organisation | GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) |
Country | Global |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | We provide a website and on-site training to staff to facilitate welfare assessment and positive reinforcement training. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our partners provide access to staff time, resources, knowledge and facilities to conduct studies. |
Impact | There are no outcomes from this project yet. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Collaboration with a range of pharmaceutical companies and CRO using dogs in research and testing - AstraZeneca (2015 - Still Active) |
Organisation | AstraZeneca |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Contributed to impact workshop |
Collaborator Contribution | Contributed to impact workshop |
Impact | See publications |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Collaboration with a range of pharmaceutical companies and CRO using dogs in research and testing - Covance |
Organisation | Covance |
Country | United States |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Contributed to impact workshop |
Collaborator Contribution | Contributed to impact workshop |
Impact | None yet |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Collaboration with a range of pharmaceutical companies and CRO using dogs in research and testing - Envigo |
Organisation | Envigo |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Contributed to impact workshop |
Collaborator Contribution | Contributed to impact workshop |
Impact | None yet |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Collaboration with a range of pharmaceutical companies and CROs using dogs in research and testing - Charles River Laboratories |
Organisation | Guy's Hospital |
Department | Toxicology |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Hospitals |
PI Contribution | Compared the behaviour and welfare of dogs housed in different facilities to provide a robust scientific evidence base of practice (as part of BBSRC industrial studentship), and ongoing collaboration led to use of videos and photographs for the refining Dog Care Website. |
Collaborator Contribution | Hosted the research, and provided materials for use in website and impact workshops. |
Impact | The Refining Dog Care website: http://www.refiningdogcare.com/ |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | FLIP Collaboration with a range of pharmaceutical companies and CRO using dogs in research and testing - GSK |
Organisation | GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) |
Department | GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Staff time developing studies and engaging in impact workshop; providing a scietific evidence base of current practice |
Collaborator Contribution | Staff time developing studies and engaging in impact workshop; hosting the research |
Impact | See publications |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Creation of social media channel |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Creation of Facebook and Twitter channels for Refining Dog Care. Since their launch, the Facebook and Twitter channel's post have received over 3,000 and 20,000 views respectively. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017 |
Description | Delivery of CPD to industry |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Delivery of theoretical and practical CPD to staff in industry, including technical, veterinary, management and scientific staff. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017 |
Description | Delivery of CPD to industry facility |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Invited CPD event for staff to provide theoretical and practical training for welfare assessment and positive reinforcement training. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | FLIP Impact workshop December 2015 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Impact workshop, hosted by AstraZeneca, Alderley Edge, and attended by representatives from six out of seven pharmaceutical companies and CROs collaborating with us on the project, and also a representative from the Home Office's Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU) and a colleague from the NC3Rs. At this very successful workshop we began a local stakeholder analysis, exploring powers of influence, key interest and authority in the research. It generated many questions on dog housing, husbandry and the conduct of scientific procedures. We are following this up with site visits, and developing relationships with key personnel. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://refiningdogcare.com |
Description | FLIP Impact workshop July 2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | The workshop was entitled "Refining Dog Care: progress in the Refinement of dog use" . The workshop was held at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in Ware, England on July 4th 2017. It was attended by 24 individuals, representing the University of Stirling, the Home Office, GSK, Envigo, Charles River Laboratories, AstraZeneca, Covance, UFAW, the RSPCA, and the NC3Rs, including members on the Animals in Science committee.The purpose of the workshop was to network, share knowledge and data, and to discuss harmonisation of dog use within industry. The meeting served as an excellent networking and learning opportunity, with many new contacts being made, and several future developments being planned, including exchange visits and a dog welfare meeting. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | NC3Rs webpages with advice on dogs in the laboratory |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | These NC3Rs webpages provide advice on the housing of laboratory dogs, tools for their welfare assessment, and suggestions for refinement of procedures used in safety assessment studies. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016,2017,2018,2019 |
URL | https://www.nc3rs.org.uk/3rs-resources/housing-and-husbandry/housing-and-husbandry-dogs |
Description | Oral presentation - 10th World Congress on Alternatives to Animals |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Oral presentation on practical techniques. Audience engagement and discussion - approached for further information. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Oral presentation - 10th World Congress on Alternatives to Animals |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Oral presentation on scientific knowledge gained during project. Audience engagement and discussions afterwards. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Poster presentation (LASA Winter Meeting) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Poster advertising Refining Dog Care website and associated resources and CPD presented at LASA Winter Meeting 2016. A considerable number of flyers and posters were taken by conference attendees, and enquiries made about participation in the project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Poster presentation - 10th World Congress on Alternatives to Animals |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Poster preservation with distribution of printed materials. Requests for more information and all printed materials distributed during poster presentation. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Refining Dog care website |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Refining Dog Care is a project (with associated website, RefiningDogcare.com) developed in a collaboration between researchers and industry to provide resources to those working with dogs in scientific research, and to provide information to the public on the Refinement of dog use. We provide up-to-date, evidence based recommendations and support for good practice while working with dogs in research. The website provides information on why dogs are used in research, why maximising their welfare is so important and how welfare is being improved. There have been over 9000 unique visitors to the website since 2018, from over 80 countries, demonstrating the impact and reach. The associated Facebook page has over 500 followers, with over 100 on Twitter. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017,2018,2019 |
URL | http://www.refiningdogcare.com/ |