Training for Animal Care and Use Personnel

All UNH faculty, staff, and graduate and undergraduate students involved in the care and use of vertebrate animals are required to complete UNH's web-based training module on the use of vertebrate animals in research and instruction (attendance at one of the in-person training sessions that were offered up until spring 2019 is accepted in lieu of completing the online training). This module may be completed according to an individual’s own timeframe. Allow approximately 30 minutes to complete the module.

UNH's care and use of vertebrate animals web-based instructional module

This online training covers, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Pertinent policies, regulations, and guidelines for the humane care and use of animals;
  • UNH animal care and use program, including website;
  • The UNH IACUC, application forms (including categories of pain and distress), and application review process;
  • The occupational health program for animal handlers;
  • Information sources for alternatives to live animal research models;
  • Reduction, refinement, and replacement (3 Rs);
  • Approval of facilities housing vertebrate animals;
  • The Manual for the Care and Use of Animals at UNH;
  • Biological and personal safety;
  • Emergency preparedness;
  • Communication and media guidelines;
  • Procedures for reporting concerns about animal care and/or use; and
  • Occupational safety.

In addition to the online general training, training is offered to personnel on a regular basis via the following:

  • Providing all individuals involved in animal care and use activities with access to a copy of the Manual for the Care and Use of Animals at UNH,
  • Meeting with individual UNH departments involved in animal activities to update regulations, provide information, and discuss concerns,
  • Circulating written material as necessary to inform animal care personnel about new regulations or methods pertinent to animal activities,
  • Offering individual instruction to project directors, technicians and students for specific techniques, including animal handling, surgery, anesthesia, and experimental manipulations, and
  • Inviting UNH or external scientists to lecture on ethical and technical aspects of animal research.

Information about training of all individuals utilizing animals is requested as part of the IACUC application review process, including years of experience with the proposed animal model, and identification of the trainer, if applicable.

To request assistance with training, or for more information about vertebrate animal care and use in general, please contact Dean Elder, Director, or Linnea Morley, Associate Director, Animal Resources Office at (603) 862-4629.

View Animal Care & Use Knowledge Base

The Knowledge Base contains forms, instruction and training material, policies, guidance, tools, and other resources to support your research efforts by topic area.


Contact Information

Dean Elder, MS, DVM, Director
Animal Resources Office
Rudman Hall
Durham, NH 03824
Phone: (603) 862-4629
Email: dean.elder@unh.edu

Linnea Morley, DVM, DACLAM, Associate Director
Animal Resources Office
Rudman Hall
Durham, NH 03824
Phone: (603) 862-4629
Email: linnea.morley@unh.edu