The Refining Dog Care online learning platform - a modular learning resource for those working with dogs in research.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Stirling
Department Name: Psychology
Abstract
The project will provide an Online Modular Learning Platform (OMLP), tailored to staff roles, to improve the welfare of dogs, and consequently the validity and reliability of data from their use in research and testing. The welfare of animals in breeding and research establishments is mediated by humans. Staff require appropriate training and empowerment to develop positive attitudes, knowledge, motivations, competencies and confidence to Refine the lifecycle of animals. Welfare is fundamentally linked to quality of scientific outputs; given the necessity of animal use as models we have a moral obligation to ensure that their welfare is optimised and their use results in valid and reliable scientific outcomes. There are few evidence-based species-specific learning resources available for those working with dogs. It is apparent that the successful translation of scientific animal welfare research is dependent upon human behaviour change (HBC) interventions. The process of HBC refers to translating knowledge into actions so that targeted change is effected - a process which has not yet been exploited in the laboratory animal sciences. Research published by the PI and Co-I (eg Hall, 2014; Hall et al., 2015; Scullion Hall et al., 2017) on the measurement of welfare in the dog, alleviating distress in regulated procedure, and enhancing positive welfare through husbandry and training practices, has resulted in changes to practice in several UK dog facilities; a result of delivering on-site theoretical and practical training for competent handling and care of dogs.
It is well-established that the EU, especially the UK, has the highest standards of care for animals in scientific research. Approximately 20K dogs are used in the EU per year, lower than elsewhere (eg USA ~65K) where animal welfare legislation is less stringent (USA) or non-existent (eg China). Therefore the need for overseas training is considerable, particularly as many UK dog facilities are multinational and operate within varying legislative frameworks. The need to harmonise practices within, as well as between, companies has been a prominent theme in our industry workshops. In 2004, Prescott et al. concluded there was a paucity of implemented evidence-based practice for dogs, though advances have since been made. However, there is currently no external training for those working with dogs which provides high-quality evidence-based learning. The Refining Dog Care OMLP will provide training courses to scientists, veterinarians, technicians and care staff working with dogs, using principles of HBC to embed change and create lasting impact. The OMLP takes its format from the EU's common education and training (CET) framework for training all staff working with animals for scientific purposes, with each course containing modules meeting or exceeding learning outcomes set out in the CET. Content is tailored to staff roles. Online delivery means that we are able to reach a global audience with harmonised EU-standard learning. We will also provide an innovative online learning system for practical modules. Our OMLP overcomes issues of in-person theoretical training being impractical and cost-prohibitive.
The principles of HBC, underpinned by evidenced-based theories of change, will be embedded into the design of the resources, to impact end-users, stimulating practical and sustained animal welfare improvements. We shall evaluate change to knowledge, attitudes and importantly to practice to ensure we achieve our goals. One of the cornerstones of the OMLP is that it will be available to both new learners and to existing staff as CPD ensuring organisation-wide knowledge, accredited by industry bodies in line with FELASA guidance. By creating this platform in collaboration with our partners, we will develop an unparalleled resource for training staff working with dogs in scientific research and embedding change.
It is well-established that the EU, especially the UK, has the highest standards of care for animals in scientific research. Approximately 20K dogs are used in the EU per year, lower than elsewhere (eg USA ~65K) where animal welfare legislation is less stringent (USA) or non-existent (eg China). Therefore the need for overseas training is considerable, particularly as many UK dog facilities are multinational and operate within varying legislative frameworks. The need to harmonise practices within, as well as between, companies has been a prominent theme in our industry workshops. In 2004, Prescott et al. concluded there was a paucity of implemented evidence-based practice for dogs, though advances have since been made. However, there is currently no external training for those working with dogs which provides high-quality evidence-based learning. The Refining Dog Care OMLP will provide training courses to scientists, veterinarians, technicians and care staff working with dogs, using principles of HBC to embed change and create lasting impact. The OMLP takes its format from the EU's common education and training (CET) framework for training all staff working with animals for scientific purposes, with each course containing modules meeting or exceeding learning outcomes set out in the CET. Content is tailored to staff roles. Online delivery means that we are able to reach a global audience with harmonised EU-standard learning. We will also provide an innovative online learning system for practical modules. Our OMLP overcomes issues of in-person theoretical training being impractical and cost-prohibitive.
The principles of HBC, underpinned by evidenced-based theories of change, will be embedded into the design of the resources, to impact end-users, stimulating practical and sustained animal welfare improvements. We shall evaluate change to knowledge, attitudes and importantly to practice to ensure we achieve our goals. One of the cornerstones of the OMLP is that it will be available to both new learners and to existing staff as CPD ensuring organisation-wide knowledge, accredited by industry bodies in line with FELASA guidance. By creating this platform in collaboration with our partners, we will develop an unparalleled resource for training staff working with dogs in scientific research and embedding change.
Technical Summary
We will provide an Online Modular Learning Platform (OMLP) to improve the welfare of dogs and consequently the validity and reliability of data from their use in research and testing. The welfare of animals in scientific establishments is mediated by humans and we have previously demonstrated the impact of practices on welfare, behaviour, physiology and cardiology. Given the necessity of animal use as models we have a moral obligation to ensure that their welfare is optimised and their use results in valid and reliable scientific outcomes. Harmonisation of study outcomes between and within companies has proved challenging in animal research, particularly in multinational companies. There is a considerable need to provide science-based resources for training staff in order to address poor study outcomes. The successful translation of animal welfare research is dependent upon human behaviour change (HBC) interventions. Using a participatory approach, which will allow us to gather qualitative and quantitative data from partner staff, we will assess motivation, barriers and limitations to behaviour and attitude change. We will use semi-structured interviews to gain insight into our partners' expertise to inform the design of the OMLP. Changes in practice will be assessed using Knowledge, Attitude and Practices surveys. The principles of HBC, underpinned by evidence-based theories, eg Theory of Behaviour Change, Self-efficacy Theory, will be embedded into the design of the resources to impact learners, stimulating practical and sustained animal welfare improvements. Once launched, we will to assess longitudinally knowledge against learning outcomes, and changes in attitude and behaviour via surveys and assessments embedded in the platform. The design of the OMLP will provide an evidence base for learning resources rooted in the science of HBC which will lead to measurable improvements in Refinement and Reduction techniques applied to dogs in scientific research.
Planned Impact
The overarching aim of this project is to create lasting changes in knowledge, attitude and behaviour in those working with dogs in scientific research to improve animal welfare and scientific outcomes.
We have three impact goals: (1) increased knowledge of animal welfare, application of techniques to Reduce and Refine dog use and skills to use training and welfare monitoring techniques; (2) changing attitudes towards animal welfare and self-efficacy in effecting change; (3) changing practices within organisations.
To achieve these goals we will:
* Work with our partner and end-user, bringing together our expertise in creating educational resources, animal welfare, animal training and management of experimental facilities to develop the online modular learning platform (OMLP).
* Use principles of human behaviour change (HBC) to assess barriers and limitations to implementing changes in practice, integrate principles of HBC in the OMLP, increase self-efficacy and developing positive attitudes and empowering staff to effect change.
* Monitor impact in learners using qualitative and quantitative measures before, during and after completing the modular courses.
We describe our impact on the 3Rs below.
Refinement:
Around 3,500 dogs are used in scientific research in Great Britain each year. The majority of the >100,000 dogs used in scientific research globally each year is used outwith the UK. Of these, ~65,000 are used in the USA and only ~20,000 are used in the EU so our target audience is global. Approximately 85% of dogs are used in safety assessment (SA, with most protocols of mild or moderate severity), although this varies globally. Our OMLP provides evidence-based resources which will directly benefit dogs in safety assessment testing, but also in other scientific settings such as veterinary research. We will provide learning for common handling and husbandry techniques which can be applied to all aspects of breeding and using dogs in research. We will also provide learning on Refinements to the most common procedures including oral gavage, restraint for procedures and jacketed telemetry, each of which is frequently used in SA studies (see Hall et al., 2015 and Prior et al., 2016 for further details of these procedures).
Reduction:
A number of researchers have detailed optimisation of dog studies (eg Smith et al. Regul Toxicol Pharm. 41, 95-101; e.g. reducing numbers in dose-range finding studies to 4 dogs per study) however it is difficult to estimate how widely spread this practice is. A PubMed search for ((Toxicology OR Safety Assessment) AND (Dog)) shows only 1,000 studies in the past 10 years (ie 100 studies published per >50,000 dogs used in SA each year). SA studies are rarely published, making it difficult to estimate implementation of optimised study designs or other Refinements. Through our modular learning study design and up-to-date Reduction techniques will be communicated.
We have contacts and working relationships within each dog facility in the UK and site traffic from www.refiningdogcare.com indicates frequent use of our existing resources in the UK. Our workshops and networking have also indicated a great desire for the proposed resource within UK facilities. We anticipate wide uptake across the UK, creating impact for many of the ~3,500 dogs used each year. Similar desire for learning has been expressed by our partners' overseas facilities and in contract research organisations. Through our partner we will see uptake in the EU and USA. We will exploit existing relationships to promote the platform within these countries, for example through universities, animal welfare bodies, professional bodies, pharmaceutical companies and contract research organisations. We have also seen increased interest in our resources from Asia and anticipate uptake of the platform within companies which have previously partnered within us, with a view to increasing uptake over time
We have three impact goals: (1) increased knowledge of animal welfare, application of techniques to Reduce and Refine dog use and skills to use training and welfare monitoring techniques; (2) changing attitudes towards animal welfare and self-efficacy in effecting change; (3) changing practices within organisations.
To achieve these goals we will:
* Work with our partner and end-user, bringing together our expertise in creating educational resources, animal welfare, animal training and management of experimental facilities to develop the online modular learning platform (OMLP).
* Use principles of human behaviour change (HBC) to assess barriers and limitations to implementing changes in practice, integrate principles of HBC in the OMLP, increase self-efficacy and developing positive attitudes and empowering staff to effect change.
* Monitor impact in learners using qualitative and quantitative measures before, during and after completing the modular courses.
We describe our impact on the 3Rs below.
Refinement:
Around 3,500 dogs are used in scientific research in Great Britain each year. The majority of the >100,000 dogs used in scientific research globally each year is used outwith the UK. Of these, ~65,000 are used in the USA and only ~20,000 are used in the EU so our target audience is global. Approximately 85% of dogs are used in safety assessment (SA, with most protocols of mild or moderate severity), although this varies globally. Our OMLP provides evidence-based resources which will directly benefit dogs in safety assessment testing, but also in other scientific settings such as veterinary research. We will provide learning for common handling and husbandry techniques which can be applied to all aspects of breeding and using dogs in research. We will also provide learning on Refinements to the most common procedures including oral gavage, restraint for procedures and jacketed telemetry, each of which is frequently used in SA studies (see Hall et al., 2015 and Prior et al., 2016 for further details of these procedures).
Reduction:
A number of researchers have detailed optimisation of dog studies (eg Smith et al. Regul Toxicol Pharm. 41, 95-101; e.g. reducing numbers in dose-range finding studies to 4 dogs per study) however it is difficult to estimate how widely spread this practice is. A PubMed search for ((Toxicology OR Safety Assessment) AND (Dog)) shows only 1,000 studies in the past 10 years (ie 100 studies published per >50,000 dogs used in SA each year). SA studies are rarely published, making it difficult to estimate implementation of optimised study designs or other Refinements. Through our modular learning study design and up-to-date Reduction techniques will be communicated.
We have contacts and working relationships within each dog facility in the UK and site traffic from www.refiningdogcare.com indicates frequent use of our existing resources in the UK. Our workshops and networking have also indicated a great desire for the proposed resource within UK facilities. We anticipate wide uptake across the UK, creating impact for many of the ~3,500 dogs used each year. Similar desire for learning has been expressed by our partners' overseas facilities and in contract research organisations. Through our partner we will see uptake in the EU and USA. We will exploit existing relationships to promote the platform within these countries, for example through universities, animal welfare bodies, professional bodies, pharmaceutical companies and contract research organisations. We have also seen increased interest in our resources from Asia and anticipate uptake of the platform within companies which have previously partnered within us, with a view to increasing uptake over time