Certification
All principal investigators, post-docs, grad/undergrad students and technical staff at Dalhousie must successfully complete a written certification exam before beginning their animal work. This also applies to any instructors for courses using animals, even if they are not the principal investigator listed on the protocol.
There are 3 streams for certification:
Lab animals and lab birds
Fish
Wildlife
If you have questions, are seeking ethics certification, or would like to register for training, please contact Dr. Jennifer Devitt. Please include the name of your lab’s PI, your position in the lab, and the species with which you will be working.
Practical training
As well as receiving a certification number, there is a mandatory practical training requirement for all personnel involved in animal handling or experimental manipulations. This training must be documented and must be completed before participating in the animal research protocol. The practical training required will be dependent upon the procedures approved in individual Animal Use Protocols.
Anyone working with live animals must attend the Recommended Technical Procedures workshop. Additional practical training may be required.
Workshops are offered on an on-going basis throughout the year.
Practical training workshops
- The Mouse: Recommended Technical Procedures
- The Rat: Recommended Technical Procedures
- Introduction to Anesthesia
- Introduction to Aseptic Surgical Technique I and II
- Introduction to Fish in Research
For more information regarding practical training, please contact Dr. Jennifer Devitt: jennifer.devitt@dal.ca.
Certificates from other universities
Individuals with a valid certificate from other Canadian Universities should contact Dr. Jennifer Devitt for further information.