In-Person Training

Animal Research Orientation Seminar - Currently Online!!! 

There is no online registration option at this time, you must email  animalwelfare@virginia.edu

The Office of Animal Welfare offers this seminar once monthly. It is mandatory for all new faculty, staff, and students using animals at UVA. However, there is a grace period of 60 days from the time of adding personnel to an animal use protocol to attend one of these sessions. Topics include rules and regulations governing the use of research animals, organizational structure of Center for Comparative Medicine and other responsible departments, policies for animal facility use and safety, services available to investigators, occupational health and safety, and the protocol submission process. The format will be PowerPoint presentations with time available to answer questions. A refreshment break will be provided. Please notify any new personnel in your laboratories that they must attend this orientation session if they will be involved in animal research.

COVID Instruction: You must be an animal handler on the protocol in order to complete orientation until further notice. The animal research orientation is now being offered in two parts – the first part (which must be completed before the second part) is offered through the AALAS Learning Library (ALL). The second portion will be through a Zoom or WebEx meeting.

Accessing Training

Part I:  Orientation to the Animal Care and Use Program (AALAS-ALL online module).

1. Complete this online module prior to completing Part II (Zoom meeting).
2. The assessment will not appear until the entire module has been completed.  Completed training will be entered into the animal handler’s training records.  

Individuals planning to attend a zoom meeting (dates/times) below should e-mail animalwelfare@virginia.edu to be added to the roster.

Rodent Handling and Injection Workshop

CURRENTLY OFFERED AS REQUESTED - To schedule, email animalwelfare@virginia.edu for availability.

This 1 hr class will be offered bi-monthly and covers basic restraint and subcutaneous(SQ) and intraperitoneal (IP) injections of mice and rats through demonstration and hands-on training. It is an excellent class for new animal handlers and animal handlers that need a refresher for basic handling and injection techniques.

Pre-registration is required.

You MUST be an APPROVED Animal Handler in order to pre-register for this class.

Email animalwelfare@virginia.edu to be added to the roster.

Rodent Biomethodology Class

TECHNIQUE TRAINING IS OFFERED ON A 1:1 BASIS AS REQUESTED. Registration and 1-week notice required. 

(former title: Rodent Handling Workshop)

This 2½ hr class covers basic restraint and biomethodology of mice and rats, through demonstration and hands-on training. It is an excellent opportunity to learn and practice basic techniques for working with rodents, and can serve as a refresher course for those who have not performed hands-on work in a few years. A certificate of completion is given to all participants.

Pre-registration is required.

You MUST be an APPROVED Animal Handler in order to pre-register for this class.

Email animalwelfare@virginia.edu to be added to the roster.

Rodent Anesthesia and Analgesia Class

This 3 hour class covers the principles of rodent anesthesia and analgesia, as well as peri-operative monitoring of physiological parameters, and pre- and post-operative care. The class includes lecture, demonstrations, and hands-on learning. Participants should be comfortable in handling and restraining mice and rats, as well as techniques such as administering injections. Attending the Biomethodology Class first is strongly recommended.

Pre-registration is required.

You MUST be an APPROVED Animal Handler

Pre-requisite: Rodent Biomethodology Class

Email animalwelfare@virginia.edu to be added to the roster.

TBD: Workshop will resume once staffing levels have been restored.

Principles of Rodent Surgery Class

(former title: Rodent Aseptic Surgery Class)

This class, taking place over 2 half-day sessions, covers the principles of surgery and aseptic technique, with particular emphasis on surgical instruments, suturing, sterile procedure, and basic surgical skills. Session formats include classroom instruction, demonstrations, and practical hands-on learning. Surgeries are taught using mice and rats, and include subcutaneous implants, jugular vein cut-down, and gonadectomies. Participants should be comfortable in handling and restraint of mice and rats, as well as techniques such as administering injections. The Rodent Biomethodology Class and Rodent Anesthesia and Analgesia Class are prerequisites. Exceptions made on individual basis.

Pre-registration is required.

Pre-registration requires the following:

• MUST be an APPROVED Animal Handler
• Pre-requisite classes: Rodent Biomethodology, Rodent Anesthesia and Analgesia
• Surgery is included as a "Responsibility" in the ACUC protocol

Email animalwelfare@virginia.edu to be added to the roster.

This class requires two ½ days! 

TBD: Workshop will resume once staffing levels have been restored.

Individualized Training at UVA

If you require assistance with any technique using animals, please contact us for training in special procedures. We can also help with understanding and adhering to any ACUC policy. Training can be arranged on an individualized basis and for small groups depending on the specific needs. Examples of training frequently provided are blood collection techniques, surgical procedures, intravenous injections, euthanasia, breeding colony management, etc.

Contact Angie Gamble for assistance in scheduling individualized training.

Protocol Writing Workshop

This informal workshop is designed for Principal Investigators and senior research staff who are responsible for writing animal research protocols for submission to the Animal Care and Use Committee. It is appropriate for those totally new to the protocol writing process or anyone already familiar with the process who simply wishes to improve their skills. The workshop will provide information on what the regulations require in a protocol, hints for writing a successful protocol, and time for navigating the online system.

Pre-registration is required.

Email Silvia LaRue at sil5t@virginia.edu or call 434.243.9429 to pre-register.

The next workshop will be TBD. Zoom details will be provided at a later time.