training: veterinarians

resources

training & forms

training:
veterinarians

training:
law enforcement

resources > training: veterinarians & students

TRAINING ON ANIMAL CRUELTY AND REPORTING:

FOR VETERINARIANS AND VETERINARY STUDENTS

Two different training sessions are highlighted below.

1. Training for senior veterinary students at the University of Minnesota.

2. Training for Minnesota-licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians. MN-licensed veterinarians are mandated reporters of animal cruelty.

Training helps veterinarians and students learn how to identify, document, and report known or suspected animal cruelty.

TRAINING: SENIOR VETERINARY STUDENTS

Animal Folks has partnered with the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine to create a curriculum for senior veterinary students about animal cruelty and their role and duties for reporting suspected animal cruelty.

The training for students includes a full presentation on the basics of animal cruelty and documenting findings and also case studies for group discussion and building critical-thinking skills. A copy of Reporting Animal Cruelty: The Role of the Veterinarian is provided to each student as a resource.

This training started in October 2020 and continues each year for new students and the full senior rotation. Thank you to the University of Minnesota for this collaboration.

______________________________________________

TRAINING: MN-LICENSED VETERINARIANS

For six years, Animal Folks presented training about animal cruelty and reporting for Minnesota-licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

Objectives

Overall objectives:

• Be aware of animal cruelty

• Understand the role of veterinarians in the reporting of suspected animal cruelty in Minnesota (as required by law)

• Gain working knowledge of Minnesota animal anti-cruelty laws

• Learn how to document and report animal cruelty

• Learn how to make a difference in the prosecution of a cruelty case

Training topics

Over the past years, speakers and topics have varied. Some training topics have included:

• Minnesota animal cruelty law

• MN law: Veterinarians as mandated reportrers

• When animal cruelty reaches the court; preparation for testifying

• Red flags: What to watch for and how to recognize animal cruelty

• Case examples: physical, non-accidental animal abuse

• Hurting without hitting - emotional abuse of animals

• Abuse to horses and watch to recognize and document

• Forensic necropsies: what to ask for and how to collaborate

• Animal cruelty and the link to human violence

• What is needed by law enforcement

Speakers have included:

• Ann Olson, Executive Director, Animal Folks

• Reese Frederickson, Pine County Attorney, Minnesota

• Julia Wilson, DVM, Executive Director, MN Board of Veterinary Medicine

• Rachel Touroo, DVM, Senior Director of Veterinary Forensics, ASPCA

• Franklin McMillan, DVM, Director of Well-Being Studies, Best Friends Animal Society

• Dr. Randall Lockwood, Senior Vice President for Forensic Sciences and Anti-Cruelty Projects (retired), ASPCA

• Alison Liu, DVM, Forensic Veterinarian, ASPCA New York Animal Hospital

• Laura Niestat, DVM, ASPCA New York Animal Hospital

• Jaclyn Dykstra, DVM, DACVP, University of Minnesota

• Lisa Roberts, DVM, Minnesota

• Nicole Eller, DVM

• Melinda Merck, DVM, Veterinary Forensics Consulting

• Michelle Welch, Senior Assistant Attorney General, Virginia

• Honorable Gordon Shumaker (retired), Minnesota

• Louise Dobbe, esq., former prosecutor, Minnesota

• Amanda Fitch, MS, CCSA, Forensic Analyst, ASPCA

• Lieutenant Lindsay Graham, Minneapolis Police Department

• Kathy Mock, Chief Govt Affairs and Community Engagement, Animal Humane Society

______________________________________________

Reporting Animal Cruelty: Establishing Protocols

Veterinarians are on the front line of animal cruelty. Veterinarians in Minnesota and their staff need to know:

• how to identify animal cruelty;

• how to report animal cruelty; and

• the role each person can play in the prevention of animal cruelty and breaking the cycle of violence.

With the help of local and national experts in the field of animal forensics, Animal Folks has created a manual for veterinarians to develop reporting protocols in their clinic or veterinary practice. Below is a link to this manual.

Printed copies are also available; please contact Animal Folks directly for information on how to obtain printed copies.

LINK: Reporting Animal Cruelty. The Role of the Veterinarian: Establishing Protocols to Identify and Report Suspected Animal Cruelty in Minnesota

Supporting Materials

In the printed version of the above manual, supporting materials are also provided as part of the Appendix. One example is a Q&A sheet on Forensic Necropsies. Below is a pdf of that 6-page sheet. (This sheet was originally written for law enforcement but can also be used by veterinarians.)

LINK: Forensic Necropsy - Description and services (University of MN - VDL)

______________________________________________

"));