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Animal Welfare in the Clinic

Hayley Walters and Cathy Dwyer

Why is the experience of going to the vets a negative one for some animals? Is it the anticipated pain, the way the place smells, the colour of the waiting room, the noises coming from the consulting room, or something else?

What can vets, vet nurses, animal carers, and owners do to ensure that the welfare of the animal is supported at every stage of the clinical visit (from transportation, waiting area, examination, operating room, and recovery)?

Read more

Why is the experience of going to the vets a negative one for some animals? Is it the anticipated pain, the way the place smells, the colour of the waiting room, the noises coming from the consulting room, or something else?

What can vets, vet nurses, animal carers, and owners do to ensure that the welfare of the animal is supported at every stage of the clinical visit (from transportation, waiting area, examination, operating room, and recovery)?

In this course, leading experts in the field of animal behaviour, welfare, veterinary medicine, and industry provide an insight into practical approaches and considerations for improving and maintaining animal welfare in the clinic.

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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.
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
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

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Reviews summary

Practical animal welfare for clinic settings

According to students, this course offers practical and actionable strategies for improving animal welfare in veterinary environments. Learners highlight the clear, expert instruction and the course's ability to provide a solid foundation in understanding animal behavior, low-stress handling, and pain management. Many find the content highly relevant for both veterinary professionals and pet owners. While broadly praised for its comprehensiveness and scientific backing, some suggest that while it's an excellent introduction, those seeking very advanced or niche topics might desire further specialized resources. Overall, it is considered invaluable for enhancing clinic visits for animals.
Excellent for beginners, potentially less depth for advanced learners.
"As a beginner, I found the pace perfect and the explanations very thorough."
"For someone with prior experience, some sections might feel like a review, but it's a great refresher."
"I was hoping for more advanced case studies, but it's still a fantastic overview for general practice."
Provides a solid, evidence-based understanding of animal welfare.
"The course gave me a robust understanding of animal welfare science and its importance."
"I now comprehend the physiological basis of pain and stress, which is vital for proper care."
"It lays a strong groundwork for anyone serious about improving animal experiences in clinical settings."
Valuable for both veterinary staff and pet owners.
"As a vet nurse, this course filled gaps in my knowledge and improved my patient care."
"Even as a long-time pet owner, I learned so much about preparing my dog for the vet."
"The content bridges the gap between professional practice and owner understanding effectively."
Taught by highly knowledgeable and engaging professionals.
"The lecturers are truly experts in their fields and convey complex information clearly."
"I appreciated how passionate and knowledgeable the instructors were about animal welfare."
"Their insights were invaluable, making the scientific concepts easy to grasp and apply."
Provides immediate, actionable strategies for clinic and home.
"I now have so many practical tips to implement in our clinic right away to reduce stress for our patients."
"This course helped me understand concrete steps I can take to make vet visits less traumatic for my cat."
"The techniques for low-stress handling are game-changers; I feel more confident approaching anxious animals."

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
A solid understanding of veterinary terminology and anatomy is essential for effective communication and understanding in this field.
Show steps
  • 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
There are many excellent online resources available that can supplement your learning and provide additional insights into animal welfare.
Browse courses on Animal Welfare
Show steps
  • 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
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
Show steps
  • 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
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Review Animal Behavior Concepts
By reviewing fundamental animal behavior concepts, you can strengthen your knowledge and identify areas where you need additional support.
Browse courses on Animal Behavior
Show steps
  • 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
Practicing animal handling and examination techniques can improve your comfort and proficiency in these essential tasks.
Browse courses on Clinical Skills
Show steps
  • 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
Engaging in case study discussions can broaden your perspective, challenge your assumptions, and enhance your problem-solving skills.
Browse courses on Case Studies
Show steps
  • 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
Creating a welfare assessment protocol can enhance your ability to objectively evaluate animal welfare and ensure consistent standards of care.
Show steps
  • 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
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
Show steps
  • 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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Animal Trainer
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Pet Sitter
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Dog Walker
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Zookeeper
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Wildlife Rehabilitator
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Animal Control Officer
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Veterinary Sales Representative
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Animal Advocate
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Animal Rights Activist

Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Animal Welfare in the Clinic.
Cover image
Becoming Wollstonecraft
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of animal welfare, including the ethical, scientific, and legal aspects.
Becoming Wollstonecraft
Paperback
Check
Becoming Wollstonecraft
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Veterinary Surgery: Small Animal Expert Consult - E...
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of veterinary surgery, including the principles of animal handling and restraint, the administration of medication, and the care of animals in the operating room.
Veterinary Surgery: Small Animal Expert Consult - E...
Kindle Edition
$$$$
Cover image
Clinical Procedures in Veterinary Nursing E-Book
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of clinical procedures in veterinary nursing, including the principles of animal handling and restraint, the administration of medication, and the care of animals in the operating room.
Clinical Procedures in Veterinary Nursing E-Book
Kindle Edition
$$
Clinical Procedures in Veterinary Nursing - E-Book
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Laboratory Animal and Exotic Pet Medicine - E-Book
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of veterinary technology, including animal handling, nursing care, and anesthesia.
Laboratory Animal and Exotic Pet Medicine - E-Book:...
Kindle Edition
$$
Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of veterinary internal medicine, including diseases of the respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and urinary systems.
Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Paperback
Check
Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Pathologic Basis of Veterinary Disease - E-Book
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of veterinary pathology, including the diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases.
Pathologic Basis of Veterinary Disease - E-Book
Kindle Edition
$$$$
Pathologic Basis of Veterinary Disease - Elsevier...
Printed Access Code
$$$$
Manual of Exotic Pet Practice
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the care and management of exotic pets, including the principles of animal handling and restraint, the administration of medication, and the care of animals in the operating room.
Manual of Exotic Pet Practice
Paperback
Check
Manual of Exotic Pet Practice
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Equitation Science
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of animal behaviour welfare, including the ethical and legal aspects of animal welfare, and the role of animal welfare in veterinary medicine.
Equitation Science
Paperback
Check
Equitation Science
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
An Introduction to Veterinary Medical Ethics
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of veterinary medical ethics, including the ethical and legal aspects of animal welfare, and the role of animal welfare in veterinary medicine.
An Introduction to Veterinary Medical Ethics
Paperback
Check
An Introduction to Veterinary Medical Ethics
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Knight Anole
Save
Provides a broad overview of animal welfare, including the ethical and legal aspects of animal welfare, and the role of animal welfare in veterinary medicine.
Knight Anole
Paperback
Check
Knight Anole
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
The Costs and Benefits of Animal Experiments
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of animal welfare, including the ethical and legal aspects of animal welfare, and the role of animal welfare in veterinary medicine.
The Costs and Benefits of Animal Experiments (The...
Paperback
$$
[(The Costs and Benefits of Animal Experiments)]...
Paperback
$$$
The Costs and Benefits of Animal Experiments (The...
Kindle Edition
$$

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Course image
Effort
3-5 hours per week
Level
Intermediate
Via
Coursera
Institution
The University of Edinburgh
Instructors
Hayley Walters
Cathy Dwyer
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
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
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