Approved: April 24, 2005

All persons performing survival surgery on vertebrate animals must have adequate training and experience. The ACUC may assess someone’s proficiency on the basis of education, medical or technical credentials, successful previous experience, and/or observation by a member of the veterinary staff.

When new personnel, who are expected to perform surgeries, are added to an existing animal study proposal through a modification, administrative approval may not be granted until proficiency can be evaluated through the means described above. The ACUC may delegate this determination and approval to the Attending Veterinarian.

When animal study proposals or modifications that include a surgical procedure are submitted, the committee may grant limited approval and request that a member of the veterinary staff provide oversight and assurance that the surgeon’s skills are consistent with standards of modern veterinary practices.