Teaching Tip: Teaching Animal Welfare through Competitive Judging Contests

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Education
• Animal Welfare Science

Background:

• Animal welfare is a key component of veterinary responsibility.
• Current veterinary curricula in the US inadequately address animal welfare training.
• There is a need for improved educational opportunities in animal welfare assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Animal Welfare Judging and Assessment Contest.
• To highlight the contest's role in teaching general animal welfare principles.
• To provide an example of veterinary student preparation for the contest.

Main Methods:

• Overview of the Animal Welfare Judging and Assessment Contest structure.
• Description of how students are challenged to apply critical reasoning.
• Case study of Colorado State University's educational approach.

Main Results:

• The contest offers a competitive platform for practical animal welfare learning.
• Students gain experience in applying welfare assessment principles.
• The example demonstrates a successful model for preparing veterinary students.

Conclusions:

• The Animal Welfare Judging and Assessment Contest is a valuable educational tool.
• Such contests can bridge the gap in formal veterinary training on animal welfare.
• Effective preparation strategies, like those at CSU, can enhance student competency.