Purdue News

August 26, 1991 Purdue pioneers first animal welfare program WEST LAFAYETTE, IND. -- Purdue University's School of Veterinary Medicine this fall implemented what is believed to be the first undergraduate program in animal welfare in the country. Any Purdue student may take courses leading to a sub-specialty or minor in animal welfare, focusing on the humane care and management of farm, laboratory, pet and zoo animals. In addition to faculty members from the School of Veterinary Medicine, faculty from the schools of agriculture, consumer and family sciences, liberal arts, and science are involved. The pilot program has received almost $200,000 in grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Cooperative State Research Service, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and the Fund for Improvement of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. Lawrence T. Glickman, co-initiator of the curriculum, says graduates will be equipped to better educate animal owners, consumers, scientists and legislators about animal-welfare issues by holding positions in education, government, industry and research. "Society's attitudes about animals and their care and welfare are changing dramatically," says Glickman, head of the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology. "More information is needed that relates animal health and welfare to stress, the environment, behavior, husbandry practices and productivity. We need people who understand the science, politics and emotions of animal welfare." Dr. Billy Hooper, executive director of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, Washington, D.C., says he knows of no other U.S. veterinary medical or agricultural school that is undertaking a multidisciplinary program in how society uses animals. "Purdue is the first -- and only -- university with a program that addresses animal welfare in the breadth it needs," Hooper says. Says Glickman: "We'd like this program to be a model." Eventually, an undergraduate major in animal welfare might be offered, as well as a graduate-degree program, Glickman adds. Development of the animal-welfare curriculum was one of the primary goals of Purdue's Center for Applied Ethology and Human-Animal Interaction, says Professor Alan M. Beck, center director and the other initiator of the curriculum. The center is part of the School of Veterinary Medicine. "Animal-welfare and animal-rights groups will be major political forces for the next five to 10 years," Beck says. "The curriculum will provide a broad, interdisciplinary approach for persons who will be leaders in forming public policy or influencing consumer preferences." Courses are on such topics as ethics and animals, the biological basis of animal behavior, animal issues and the media, and interaction between people and animals. Representatives from both sides of the animal-welfare issue -- such as livestock producers, zoo personnel and animal-rights proponents -- will give guest lectures. Field experiences at zoos, farms and other animal-intensive sites also will be part of the courses. Because the courses are available only to upper-class students, the first students to complete the minor will graduate in the next couple of years, Glickman says. To assess the effectiveness of the curriculum, graduates will be tracked both one and five years after getting their degrees to see if they're working in related fields and what kinds of jobs they have, he says. Plans call for making courses and workshops in animal welfare available next summer to other individuals such as zoo personnel, county extension agents, legislators, livestock producers and highschool teachers. "Education of these individuals and groups who will be involved in future decision-making will lead to a more rational, broadly acceptable public policy in animal welfare," Glickman says. In addition to Glickman and Beck, other faculty and ataff who are involved or will teach are Jack L. Albright, professor of animal sciences; Nita W. Glickman, research coordinator, Center for Applied Ethology and Human-Animal Interaction; Gail F. Melson, professor of child development and family studies; Lilly M. Russow, associate professor of philosophy; and Peter M. Waser, professor of biological sciences. Dr. Mary E. Torrence, associate director of the Center for Applied Ethology and Human-Animal Interaction, will be administrative coordinator. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page