Training Overview

Introduction:

Animal training for individuals using live vertebrate animals is federally mandated. The Division of Comparative Medicine offers a variety of hands-on IACUC (Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee) approved training workshops free to UNC-Chapel Hill staff, faculty, and current students. The workshops are typically 2½ hours long and scheduled throughout the year. We welcome all personnel associated with animal research and all levels of experience. We hope to see you soon!

Class Registration:

To register for classes visit UNC Event Registration System and type the class you are wanting to register for in the search box at the top of the page. Choose the class you would like to attend and register. If you do not receive confirmation within 48 hours of signing up, please call 919-966-5569.

Classes fill up quickly, if you are unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible. Email iacuc@med.unc.edu or call 919-966-5569. This will enable us to accommodate people on the waiting list.

Class location is Glaxo Building #148, except for Isoflurane Vaporizer class which is in Mary Ellen Jones 1108. Please note that the length of the class may vary slightly depending on the experience level of the group.

Mouse Handling and Basic Techniques:

Pre-requisite: IACUC and DCM (Division of Comparative Medicine) Orientation, Animal Handler Profile, Lab Worker Form and Research Profile

You will learn:

• Methods of safe, humane handling and restraint
• Injection techniques including intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, intravenous, and intramuscular
• Techniques associated with blood collection
• Oral Gavage
• Various helpful tips and species biodata

Rat Handling and Techniques:

Pre-requisite: IACUC and DCM Orientation, Animal Handler Profile, Lab Worker Form and Research Profile

You will learn:

• Methods of safe, humane handling and restraint
• Injection techniques including intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, intravenous, and intramuscular
• Techniques associated with blood collection
• Oral Gavage
• Various helpful tips and species biodata

Aseptic Techniques:

Pre-requisite: IACUC and DCM Orientation, Animal Handler Profile, Lab Worker Form and Research Profile

• General terms such as aseptic, sterile, disinfectant, antiseptic, sterile field
• Instrument preparation
• Patient Preparation
• Surgeon Preparation
• Sterile Procedures
• Various helpful tips to increase surgical success

Isoflurane Vaporizer Training:

Pre-requisite: IACUC and DCM Orientation, Animal Handler Profile, Lab Worker Form and Research Profile. NOTE: Mouse Handling and Techniques Class or Rat Handling and Techniques Class or certification in multiple rodent techniques by a LAC (Laboratory Animal Coordinator) is required for this class. This training will occur in Mary Ellen Jones 1108.

You will learn:

• Identification of parts of vaporizer
• Proper attachment of non-rebreathing tubing to vaporizer machine
• Proper induction of rodents using inhalant anesthetic
• Proper maintenance of rodents at a surgical plane of anesthesia
• Proper recovery of rodents

One-on-One Sessions:

These sessions are offered once weekly and are for animal handlers that need to learn new techniques or need LAC proficiency certification. Handlers should be comfortable with handling and restraining and must have attended a mouse or rat handling class to be certified in the handling and restraint technique prior to the one-on-one session. Each session lasts 30 minutes and several techniques can be demonstrated and taught during that time. Training can be scheduled by emailing iacuc@med.unc.edu with your request, all training will occur in Glaxo 148.

If additional techniques are needed, in addition to the ones you scheduled, please email iacuc@med.unc.edu to alert the trainers of this change to ensure that proper time is allotted for this if time is available.

Please do not bring other laboratory members to the training who were not originally scheduled for the session. They will not be allowed to take part in the training at that time due to time constraints.

For training in all other species, please contact DCM Veterinary Services at 919-843-3407.