The use of animals in research, testing and teaching is subject to a multitude of laws, policies, regulations and standards.
Mandatory Training for Working with Animals
The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and the Public Health Service (PHS) policy require all research personnel be appropriately trained in animal care and use. Any person who will handle, manipulate or perform procedures on live vertebrate animals (whether in the laboratory or in the field) must complete a two-step process.
Enroll in the HealthPoint Occupational Health Program (OHP)
Your UTLearn record will be updated with:
AN0020: HealthPoint OHP (low risk) or AN0023: HealthPoint OHP (high risk)
All personnel at initial enrollment with HealthPoint OHP
No recertification required - form should only be submitted at initial enrollment
AN0020: HealthPoint OHP (low risk)
Required for personnel working with low-risk species, such as rodents, fish, etc.
Requires recertification every 3 years
AN0023: HealthPoint OHP (high risk)
Required for ARC staff members and personnel working with high-risk animal species, such as non-human primates, bats, wild rodents or other wild-caught mammals, etc.
Requires annual recertification
Information provided HealthPoint OHP is protected from unauthorized or indiscriminate release of personal health information and medical records are maintained in a confidential manner, separate from personnel files. More information about HealthPoint OHP (including forms, location and hours of service) is available here.
NOTE: eProtocol IACUC is updated with HealthPoint OHP enrollment data twice a day at 6:00am and 6:00pm. It may take up to 48 hours for the eProtocol Training History to reflect HealthPoint OHP enrollment. For prompt processing of OHP enrollment, OHP encourages that forms be submitted via fax at 512-471-2666 or delivered in person to the OHP clinic located inside the Student Services Building (SSB), 3rd floor, Suite 3.202. Use of campus mail may delay receipt of forms by up to one week.
Complete the required training modules
Researchers and students working with animals in a research, testing or teaching setting are required to take recertification courses via the AALAS Learning Library every three years. These web-based courses will provide required information on the humane care and use of research animals as mandated by federal regulations. Log into eProtocol to access these required trainings.
Course ID 3198 is required for all personnel working with animals. This module provides orientation of the policies and procedures for animal research at UT Austin.
Researchers and students working with animals are required to complete the course corresponding to the animals with which they are working. Below are course IDs.
3198: Orientation
Required for all personnel working with animals. This module provides orientation of the policies and procedures for animal research at UT Austin.
Requires recertification every 3 years.
AN0055: Working Safely with Macaques in Research (class)*
Required for macaque care-givers and users
Requires recertification every 3 years
AN0080: Introduction to Mouse Biomethodology
AN0081: Introduction to Rat Biomethodology
AN0083: Techniques in Aseptic Surgery and Anesthesia in Research Animals
AN0084: Principles of Rodent Anesthesia
256: Introduction to Gerbils
Required for gerbil care-givers and users
Requires recertification every 3 years
257: Introduction to Hamsters
Required for hamster care-givers and users
Requires recertification every 3 years
258: Introduction to Rabbits
Required for rabbit care-givers and users
Requires recertification every 3 years
259: Introduction to Guinea Pigs
Required for guinea pig care-givers and users
Requires recertification every 3 years
260: Introduction to Mice
Required for mouse care-givers and users
Requires recertification every 3 years
261: Introduction to Rats
Required for rat care-givers and users.
Requires recertification every 3 years.
278: Introduction to Dogs
Required for dog care-givers and users
Requires recertification every 3 years
279: Introduction to Cats
Required for cat care-givers and users
Requires recertification every 3 years
2577: Introduction to Swine
Required for swine care-givers and users
Requires recertification every 3 years
2578: Introduction to Non-Human Primates
Required for non-human primate care-givers and users
Requires recertification every 3 years
2601: Introduction to Amphibians
Required for amphibian care-givers and users
Requires recertification every 3 years
3199: Other Species Training Module (General Care and Use)
Required for users of animals that are not listed in this table
Requires recertification every 3 years
3219: Working with the Laboratory Zebrafish
Required for zebrafish care-givers and users
Requires recertification every 3 years
3233: Introduction to Ferrets
Required for ferret care-givers and users
Require recertification every 3 years
3927: Introduction to Fish
Required for fish care-givers and users
Require recertification every 3 years
3928: Introduction to Wildlife
Required for wildlife users
Require recertification every 3 years
5345: Post-Procedure Care of Mice and Rats in Research: Minimizing Pain and Distress
Required for all Principal Investigators, surgeons, and anesthetists on rodent protocols
Require recertification every 3 years
5635: Introduction to Birds
Required for bird care-givers and users
Require recertification every 3 years
6677: Large Animal Surgery - The University of Texas at Austin
Required for all Principal Investigators, surgeons, and anesthetists on mammalian protocols other than rodents
Require recertification every 3 years
6678: Rodent Surgery - The University of Texas at Austin
Required for all Principal Investigators, surgeons, and anesthetists on rodent protocols
Require recertification every 3 years
*For more information or scheduling, please fill out the training request form.
Additional Hands-on Training
Additional, but not required, hands-on training is available and free of charge to all UT researchers using animals on an approved protocol. Please fill out a training request form.
If you have questions about hands on training, please contact the ARC Vet Team at vetstaff@austin.utexas.edu.
Resources
Useful Resources for Working with Research Animals
- Occupational Health Program (OHP): Vaccinations, work injury, health risk, assessment, etc.
- Environmental Health and Safety (EHS): Lab safety information
- Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC): Does your project require IBC approval?
Investigator’s Guide to Media Requests
OVPR strongly encourages investigators to reach out to the Research Communications team PRIOR TO responding to any inquiry from the media. It may be appropriate for an OVPR representative to speak to the media on behalf of an investigator, or to provide some media training prior to an interview. Remember, the Research Communications team is here to offer guidance and support on the most effective ways to share and promote the research being done at UT.
The Media Guide provides a toolkit for investigators at UT who are directly contacted by the media or members of the public requesting information about their use of animals in research. Note: This is an internal document created to assist Principal Investigators at UT Austin. It must not be shared with people outside of the university.
As safety is a top priority, should an investigator be threatened or perceives an immediate threat, the investigator should immediately call 9-1-1 or the UT Police Department main line (512-471-4441), respectively.
As a reminder, formal open records requests must be made through the Office of the Vice President for Legal Affairs. This would include requests for USDA forms or animal records. The requestor must send any record requests directly to the Open Records Coordinator, whose contact information can be found in Section 2 of this plan. As an investigator, you are not obliged to provide this information unless the Open Records Coordinator determines it is necessary.
Investigator’s Guide to Requests from the Media or Public (toolkit) (PDF)
Section 4 – Description of Research Worksheet (fillable PDF)