Here you will find the outputs of the Action separated by work groups:

WG1 Providing Evidence

1. Basic readings for beginners of animal training
2. Videos (Journal Clubs)

WG2 Increasing Competence

WG3 Sharing Knowledge

1. List of available protocols
2. Videos (webinars)

WG4 Communicating

Workshops and Training Schools:

Find here the abstracts of all Workshops and Training Schools

28./29. September 2020, Pécs, Hungary: Practical approach to protocol development in large laboratory animal training (WG2/WG3)
In this workshop participants elaborated on reducing stress and anxiety through training of large laboratory animals with respect to the animal as well as the animal trainer. In that context the project ManyPrimates was introduced.
In the second part of the Training School specific examples of how stress can be reduced in procedures by appropriate training were presented and discussed.

25.-27. February 2020 in Göttingen, Germany:  Transparency and Communication Strategies for Animal Research (WG4)
Transparency and communication about science becomes increasingly more important. Society and policy makers increasingly demand scientist to be more open about their works and findings. This is particular true for animal research. However, the effort to achieve more transparency is often still lacking on the site of scientific intuitions, but also scientists. This might be due to different reasons, which can vary from fear of repercussions to a lack in knowledge about communication strategies.
In this workshop we explored a) reasons behind the lack of communication and b) options for communication strategies for institutions but also individual scientists. We looked at the development of scientific communication in the recent years, analysed different examples and developed approaches to different options for communication strategies. A particular focus was set on implementing large animal training and ABM measures into those communication strategies.
We collected different options for communication strategies and made them available for other institutions and scientists to serve as a helpful guide to start implementing transparency and science communication about animals in research in their institute.

06th December 2019 in Elvas, Portugal: Managing social issues in husbandry and training of large laboratory animals (WG1/WG2/WG3)
This workshop started with a presentation about harmonizing training of human primates for responsible care and use of animals for research and training. Participants were then presented with examples on how to manage group dynamics in laboratory dogs through PRT and Tellington TTouch®, and with the management of new grouping at different primate centres in Europe.

18th March 2019 in Novi Sad, Serbia: 3Rs in research with large laboratory animals (WG3/WG4)
Participants of this workshop were first presented a timeline of the 3Rs Principle and the different levels of interpretation and application that the three concepts can refer to in the modern interpretation of the Principle. Concepts such as “Partial Replacement” and “Intra-Reduction” were discussed and the effect illustrated that the application of the 3Rs Principle can have on both the quality of life of the animals involved, and the quality of the data recorded. In particular, neuroscience and behavioural studies were described in which the 3Rs have been successfully adopted. Difficulties rising from potential conflict between the Rs were emphasised and discussed.
In the second part of the workshop principles of anaesthesia, analgesia & the 3Rs for large animals in translational research  were presented and discussed. Pain management (recognition, quantification and treatment) in all laboratory animal species is a societal expectation, and a legal, moral, practical and scientific requirement.  Effective pain management also contributes to reduction; by limiting noise in immunological, endocrine, physiological and behavioural data it increases study power and reduces the number of animals required to achieve significant scientific outcomes.  Dialogue between scientists, named veterinary personnel, AWERBs and veterinary specialists can ensure that optimal animal welfare and data value do not become mutually exclusive goals.

11th January 2019 in Leuven, Belgium: Evidence based training of large laboratory animals (WG1/WG2/WG3)
The goals of this workshop were to expand knowledge of animal trainers and exchange expertise
The target audience were: postdocs, PhD students, technical staff

25th April 2017 in Leuven, Belgium: Train-the-trainer-workshop (WG1/WG2/WG3)
There is a lack of European laboratory animal trainers’ exchange and networking. To overcome this, COST has granted Action CA15131 ‘PRIMTRAIN’. Work Group 2 of the Action aims at increasing the competence of laboratory staff involved in animal behaviour management and animal training. Both require skills and knowledge that are difficult to acquire without proper guidance. Therefore one measure must be to train the trainer to optimally instruct fellow staff and students.
This Workshop’s goal was to impart means and strategies to already experienced staff involved with laboratory animal training to effectively share their knowledge to other staff at their facilities. Workshop participants were: experienced animal trainers (postdocs, PhD students, technical staff).

1st November 2016 in Göttingen, Germany: Communications Workshop (WG4)
The need and impact for ABM and laboratory animal training may be obvious to the lab animal trainers, nevertheless, they often need to argue the purpose and usefulness of ABM and training with peers or other members of the staff. On the other side animal staff often is confronted by outsiders with questions concerning their work. In this workshop we identifed particular argumentative obstacles that training/ABM staff faces in their day-to-day work and/or when communicating about their work to outsiders, such as the general public or legal authorities.
Based on this we developed useful communication strategies to overcome those obstacles, such as identified relevant arguments and communication concepts.

Please find publications deriving from the Action [here].