Animal Welfare in the Clinic from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Animal Behaviour and Welfare in the Clinic

In this first week, we look at animal welfare as a science, how we can use evidence to make objective measures to determine whether an animal is experiencing positive or negative welfare, and why it is so important in the veterinary clinic. We’ll also look at what constitutes normal cat, dog, and rabbit behaviour, what motivates canine aggression and what we can do if an owner reports aggressive behaviour in their dog.

Animal Welfare: The Waiting Area and Consulting Room

This week we are examining what owners can do to help their animal companions better cope in the clinic BEFORE they arrive, what clinic staff can do to help reduce anxiety for the pet once they have entered the building, and we will define the terms ‘trigger stacking’ and ‘building a welfare bank account’. How to improve patient welfare and reduce stress in the waiting room and consulting room will also be explored this week by examining the latest scientific evidence, and we will also discuss the techniques and benefits of low stress handling, how to perform a low stress examination on a cat, dog, and rabbit, and how to handle a cat or dog that is behaving aggressively.

Animal Welfare: Preparation and Theatre

This week we are going to delve into what we can do to make the preparation room, also known as the treatment room, less worrying for our patients. We will discuss pre-emptive, multi-modal analgesia prior to going for surgery, and the difference between light anaesthesia and nociception. We’ll also consider what we can do to make the operating room, and the kennels or recovery area more welfare focussed, and the ways in which we can improve the clinic experience for the long-term inpatient.

Animal Welfare: Post op/Kennels/Care

This week we are talking about pain in rabbits, cats and dogs – how to recognise it, how to score it, how to treat it, and why, physiologically, treating acute pain is so vital. We’ll also study pain pathways, multimodal analgesia, the post operative advice we can give to owners to ensure good welfare continues when they take their animal home, and what owners can do to enrich the lives of their pets if they must be strictly rested for an extended period of time.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Tailored for individuals working in animal care, including vets, nurses, and owners, this course offers practical guidance on enhancing animal welfare in clinical settings

Provides insights from experts in the field, including animal behaviorists, veterinarians, and animal welfare advocates, ensuring the delivery of up-to-date and evidence-based practices

Covers a comprehensive range of topics, from understanding animal behavior and welfare principles to implementing low-stress handling techniques and managing pain effectively

Suitable for both beginners seeking a foundation in animal welfare in clinical settings and experienced professionals looking to enhance their knowledge

Offers practical strategies and case studies to illustrate the application of welfare principles in real-life clinical scenarios

The focus on improving animal welfare aligns with current industry standards and ethical considerations in veterinary medicine

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Animal Welfare in the Clinic with these activities:

Review Veterinary Terminology and Anatomy

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A solid understanding of veterinary terminology and anatomy is essential for effective communication and understanding in this field.

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Review your notes or textbooks from previous courses
Use online resources such as flashcards or quiz websites to test your knowledge
Attend a refresher workshop or seminar on veterinary terminology and anatomy

Explore Online Resources on Animal Welfare

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There are many excellent online resources available that can supplement your learning and provide additional insights into animal welfare.

Browse courses on Animal Welfare

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Search for websites, articles, and videos on animal welfare topics
Follow reputable organizations and experts on social media for updates and resources
Attend webinars or online courses on animal welfare

Volunteer at an Animal Welfare Organization

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Volunteering at an animal welfare organization can provide you with valuable hands-on experience and insights into animal care and welfare.

Browse courses on Animal Welfare

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Identify an animal welfare organization that aligns with your interests
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Participate in volunteer activities such as animal care, enrichment, or educational programs

Five other activities

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Review Animal Behavior Concepts

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By reviewing fundamental animal behavior concepts, you can strengthen your knowledge and identify areas where you need additional support.

Browse courses on Animal Behavior

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Read relevant textbooks or online resources on animal behavior
Attend workshops or seminars on animal behavior
Observe and analyze animal behavior in different contexts, such as at a zoo or animal shelter

Practice Handling and Examining Animals

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Practicing animal handling and examination techniques can improve your comfort and proficiency in these essential tasks.

Browse courses on Clinical Skills

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Seek opportunities to practice handling and examining animals under the supervision of a veterinarian or experienced technician
Volunteer at a veterinary clinic or animal shelter to gain practical experience
Enroll in a workshop or course on animal handling and examination techniques

Participate in Case Study Discussions

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Engaging in case study discussions can broaden your perspective, challenge your assumptions, and enhance your problem-solving skills.

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Join or form a study group with classmates or colleagues
Select case studies that are relevant to the course material
Discuss the cases, sharing your perspectives and insights
Reflect on the discussions and identify areas for further learning

Develop a Welfare Assessment Protocol

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Creating a welfare assessment protocol can enhance your ability to objectively evaluate animal welfare and ensure consistent standards of care.

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Review existing animal welfare assessment protocols and guidelines
Consult with experts in animal behavior and veterinary medicine
Develop a protocol that is tailored to the specific needs of your practice
Implement and evaluate the protocol to ensure its effectiveness

Compile a Resource List on Animal Welfare

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Creating a resource list can help you organize and retain information on animal welfare, making it easily accessible for future reference.

Browse courses on Animal Welfare

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Gather resources from various sources, such as books, articles, websites, and videos
Organize the resources into categories or topics
Create a document or online platform to share the resource list

Career center

Learners who complete Animal Welfare in the Clinic will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Veterinary Technician

Veterinary technicians are responsible for providing care to animals under the supervision of a veterinarian. This course can help veterinary technicians to better understand animal behavior and welfare, which can help them to provide better care to their patients. The course can also help veterinary technicians to develop the skills needed to perform low-stress handling techniques, which can help to reduce anxiety in animals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Veterinary Technician

Veterinarian

Veterinarians are responsible for diagnosing and treating animals. This course can help veterinarians to better understand animal behavior and welfare, which can help them to provide better care to their patients. The course can also help veterinarians to develop the skills needed to perform low-stress handling techniques, which can help to reduce anxiety in animals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Veterinarian

Animal Behaviorist

Animal behaviorists are responsible for studying the behavior of animals. This course can help animal behaviorists to better understand the welfare of animals in the clinic, which can help them to develop better ways to care for animals. The course can also help animal behaviorists to develop the skills needed to perform low-stress handling techniques, which can help to reduce anxiety in animals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animal Behaviorist

Animal Welfare Officer

Animal welfare officers are responsible for ensuring the welfare of animals. This course can help animal welfare officers to better understand the welfare of animals in the clinic, which can help them to develop better ways to care for animals. The course can also help animal welfare officers to develop the skills needed to perform low-stress handling techniques, which can help to reduce anxiety in animals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animal Welfare Officer

Animal Caretaker

Animal caretakers are responsible for providing care to animals in a variety of settings, such as animal shelters, zoos, and veterinary clinics. This course can help animal caretakers to better understand the welfare of animals in the clinic, which can help them to provide better care to their animals. The course can also help animal caretakers to develop the skills needed to perform low-stress handling techniques, which can help to reduce anxiety in animals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animal Caretaker

Animal Trainer

Animal trainers are responsible for training animals to perform specific tasks. This course can help animal trainers to better understand the welfare of animals in the clinic, which can help them to develop better training methods. The course can also help animal trainers to develop the skills needed to perform low-stress handling techniques, which can help to reduce anxiety in animals.

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Pet Sitter

Pet sitters are responsible for providing care to pets in their own homes. This course can help pet sitters to better understand the welfare of animals in the clinic, which can help them to provide better care to their clients' pets. The course can also help pet sitters to develop the skills needed to perform low-stress handling techniques, which can help to reduce anxiety in animals.

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Dog Walker

Dog walkers are responsible for walking dogs for their owners. This course can help dog walkers to better understand the welfare of animals in the clinic, which can help them to provide better care to their clients' dogs. The course can also help dog walkers to develop the skills needed to perform low-stress handling techniques, which can help to reduce anxiety in animals.

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Animal Shelter Volunteer

Animal shelter volunteers are responsible for providing care to animals in animal shelters. This course can help animal shelter volunteers to better understand the welfare of animals in the clinic, which can help them to provide better care to their animals. The course can also help animal shelter volunteers to develop the skills needed to perform low-stress handling techniques, which can help to reduce anxiety in animals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animal Shelter Volunteer

Zookeeper

Zookeepers are responsible for providing care to animals in zoos. This course can help zookeepers to better understand the welfare of animals in the clinic, which can help them to provide better care to their animals. The course can also help zookeepers to develop the skills needed to perform low-stress handling techniques, which can help to reduce anxiety in animals.

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Wildlife Rehabilitator

Wildlife rehabilitators are responsible for providing care to injured or orphaned wildlife. This course may help wildlife rehabilitators to better understand the welfare of animals in the clinic, which can help them to provide better care to their animals. The course may also help wildlife rehabilitators to develop the skills needed to perform low-stress handling techniques, which can help to reduce anxiety in animals.

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Animal Control Officer

Animal control officers are responsible for enforcing animal control laws. This course may help animal control officers to better understand the welfare of animals in the clinic, which can help them to better care for animals. The course may also help animal control officers to develop the skills needed to perform low-stress handling techniques, which can help to reduce anxiety in animals.

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Veterinary Sales Representative

Veterinary sales representatives are responsible for selling veterinary products and services to veterinarians and animal hospitals. This course may help veterinary sales representatives to better understand the welfare of animals in the clinic, which can help them to better serve their customers. The course may also help veterinary sales representatives to develop the skills needed to perform low-stress handling techniques, which can help to reduce anxiety in animals.

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Animal Advocate

Animal advocates are responsible for promoting the welfare of animals. This course may help animal advocates to better understand the welfare of animals in the clinic, which can help them to better advocate for animals. The course may also help animal advocates to develop the skills needed to perform low-stress handling techniques, which can help to reduce anxiety in animals.

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Animal Rights Activist

Animal rights activists are responsible for promoting the rights of animals. This course may help animal rights activists to better understand the welfare of animals in the clinic, which can help them to better advocate for animals. The course may also help animal rights activists to develop the skills needed to perform low-stress handling techniques, which can help to reduce anxiety in animals.

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