4. Going Above and Beyond the Standards

Lab Rat Chat - Episode 04 with Dr. Helen Diggs, Senior Director of AAALAC International

 
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In this fourth episode of Lab Rat Chat, Jeff and Danielle talk with Dr. Helen Diggs about why this organization has been so critical to the continued evolution of animal care and use standards. Listen and find out about some of the amazing efforts institutions put forth in order to obtain this voluntary accreditation.
 
 Topics discussed in this episode:

• Dr. Helen Diggs' interesting background working in Alaska, which involved working with polar bears and wolves!
• The role of AAALAC International 
• A brief overview of the process to obtain AAALAC International accreditation 
• Common findings during AAALAC International triennial site visit assessments

Notable quotes:

“It was an amazing introduction to veterinary medicine, they cared for a wide variety of species - wolves, lemmings, a polar bear, arctic foxes, and they studied diseases that are widespread in the Alaskan animal population…” 

 “AAALAC International promotes the responsible treatment and care of animals used in science through a voluntary, rigorous assessment and accreditation program. ” 

“Accredited institutions understand that meritorious, reproducible science depends on superb, consistent animal care. ” 

Resources & Links:

• Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/) 
• AAALAC International (https://www.aaalac.org) 
• PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (https://olaw.nih.gov/policies-laws/phs-policy.htm)  
• Animal Welfare Act (https://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/animal-welfare-act) 

All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/