AVC students participate in intercollegiate animal welfare judging contest
AVC students Hanna Hone, Colleen Griffin, and Melanie Stuart participated in the 17th annual Intercollegiate Animal Welfare Judging/Assessment Contest at Iowa State University in November 2017.
As a team, the students assessed a group of finisher pigs on the university’s teaching farm, and as individuals, they evaluated the welfare of contrasting scenarios for each of farmed fish, meat rabbits, and racing greyhounds.
“The contest was an incredible opportunity to engage and develop our analytical skills in regards to animal welfare assessments,” said the students.
The competition challenged their critical thinking, communication, and public-speaking proficiencies and gave them a chance to interact with other students from across North America who share the same passion for animals and their welfare.
“It was a challenge for sure and has identified areas where we can improve, but we are proud of the work we accomplished. We walked away with a vastly improved knowledge of animal welfare and current developments in the field as well as amazing experience in developing in-depth opinions on welfare.”
They thanked their supervisor Dr. Michael Cockram, Chair of Animal Welfare at AVC; their student mentor Jolene Vermeulen; and specialist coaches Drs. Jonathan Spears and Larry Hammell, of AVC, and Dr. Jennifer Brown, Prairie Swine Centre, for their guidance and assistance in preparing for the contest. Funding for their trip to Iowa State came from the Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre at AVC, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare.
