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Features
Feature Animal welfare
Pathways to specialising in animal welfare Safeguarding animal welfare is an important aspect of the day-to-day work of almost all veterinarians; however, only some choose to pursue specific postgraduate qualifications in this area. Andrew Knight describes some of the routes to specialisation that are available around the world, highlighting in particular how suitably experienced individuals can currently seek accreditation in Europe and the USA without undertaking a formal programme of study Animal welfare is an issue of everincreasing prominence within the veterinary profession. This is evidenced by recent statements about animal welfare made by various veterinary organisations (for example, FVE/AVMA 2011, WVA 2014); by recent veterinary conferences focused on animal welfare (such as the three OIE global conferences on animal welfare held to date, and the animal welfare symposium at Michigan State University jointly organised by the American Veterinary Medical Association [AVMA] and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges in 2009); by the increasing inclusion of animal welfare in veterinary curricula (FVE/EAEVE 2013); and by the publication of recent texts dedicated to animal welfare in veterinary practice (eg, Yeates 2013). The World Veterinary Association (WVA 2014) has stated that, ‘Animal welfare is a core mandate of the veterinary community generally and veterinarians individually’, noting ‘This concept is articulated by many veterinary organisations in their Code of Practice, Veterinary Oath or other statements of commitment.’ The specific inclusion of animal welfare within a revised AVMA veterinary oath in 2010 provides another good example (Bones and Yeates 2012). Similarly, animal welfare has become an increasingly prominent social issue. Andrew D. Knight, DipECAWBM (AWSEL), PhD, FOCAE, MRCVS Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, St Kitts, Caribbean e-mail: [email protected] Andrew Knight is a European veterinary specialist in animal welfare science, ethics and law and a fellow of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics. He is currently associate professor of welfare and ethics at Ross University
There are dedicated pathways to specialist animal welfare qualifications in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and the USA
Indeed, evolving social concerns about animal welfare have created the main stimulus for greater veterinary involvement.
Career options
In line with the rising trajectories of animal welfare within both the veterinary profession and society at large, options for veterinarians who would like to work in the animal welfare field are expanding, and will most probably continue to do so in the future. These include: working for non-governmental organisations, whether in hands-on roles providing veterinary services directly in domestic or foreign regions with limited access to such services, or by assisting with educational outreach or lobbying efforts; working with governmental organisations, such as animal inspectorates or policymaking bodies; working for corporations, which are increasingly responding to consumer pressure by establishing welfare standards for their suppliers of food animal products; working in academia, teaching the ever-expanding array of welfare courses and related subjects; and working with
veterinary associations, who are increasingly involved in establishing policies in this arena. However, competition for such positions is, and is likely to remain, high. Many veterinarians care deeply about animal welfare and, indeed, such concerns often played a substantial role in their earlier veterinary career choices. Accordingly, veterinarians interested in career paths in animal welfare would be wise to take advantage of the growing number of continuing education courses and qualifications available to them, both to increase their knowledge of the diverse aspects of the discipline of animal welfare science, ethics and law (AWSEL), and to increase their competitiveness within this employment market.
Courses and qualifications
There are now numerous postgraduate options for those not yet ready or able to work toward a veterinary specialist November 8, 2014 | Veterinary Record | 449
Downloaded from http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/ on June 29, 2015 - Published by group.bmj.com
Features qualification in animal welfare. Selected examples include online certificates in animal welfare and animal ethics offered by the Cambridge e-Learning Institute; a two-day University of Bristol workshop in AWSEL, usually held in November each year; a two-week course (although participants can elect to complete only some of the five sections) in AWSEL offered by the University of Cambridge, usually in September annually; the University of Edinburgh MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare, and its online MSc in International Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law; and the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine MS in Animals and Public Policy. Many other courses directly or partly focused on animal welfare are offered to veterinarians and non-veterinarians alike by various tertiary educational institutions. The Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law Veterinary Association provides a useful summary of continuing education options at www.awselva.org.uk/continuing-education. For veterinarians seeking to pursue specialist qualifications in AWSEL, options are now available in Europe and in Australia and New Zealand. Most recently, this has also become possible in the USA.
Specialist qualifications in Europe
UK In the UK, the RCVS Certificate (CertWEL) and Diploma (DWEL) in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law were established in the 1990s. The certificate was the first level of postgraduate qualification awarded to veterinarians by the RCVS, and was designed to signify experience and expertise in the subject in question. The first CertWEL was awarded in 1995. The Diploma was the associated specialist level qualification. It was approved in 1997, and the first two DsWEL were awarded in 1999. However, enrolments in these RCVS certificates and diplomas are no longer being accepted. Instead, veterinarians are now encouraged to enrol for the RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP), or in the European diploma relevant to their field. It is possible to tailor the CertAVP to reflect personal interests, including through the selection of modules focused on the theory and practice of AWSEL. Germany In Germany, veterinarians may seek to become a ‘Fachtierarzt/Fachtierärztin für Tierschutz und Tierschutzethik’ (that is, a veterinary specialist in welfare science and ethics), after working in animal welfare for the equivalent of four full-time years. This could be in locations such as universities, state authority animal welfare departments, or elsewhere. Candidates must have a 450 | Veterinary Record | November 8, 2014
supervisor who is already a specialist in this discipline. They must also attend workshops and conferences on animal welfare and ethics, and must publish two or three related articles in journals relevant to the discipline, as first author. After the fouryear period candidates are eligible to take an oral examination. European diploma The European equivalent to the RCVS DWEL is the subspecialty in AWSEL within the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine (DipECAWBM[AWSEL]). This subspecialty was provisionally recognised by the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation in 2011. Until April 2016, the college is accepting de facto Recognised Specialists,
‘Because of the popularity of animal welfare work among many veterinarians, those desiring a career within this field are strongly encouraged to pursue appropriate continuing education opportunities and qualifications, to maximise their knowledge and competitiveness in this emerging job market' who are not required to undertake a residency programme or submit to examination initially. This route is intended for veterinarians who already possess sufficient experience and expertise in AWSEL. Among other criteria, candidates for this route must have at least seven years of professional experience in AWSEL, must spend at least 60 per cent of their full-time working hours in the field, must demonstrate that they have a good fundamental and working knowledge of all three elements of the discipline (welfare science, ethics and law), and must demonstrate that they have made a significant contribution to at least one of these elements. In particular, they must have published at least three relevant publications as first author (or if named as a secondary author, they must nevertheless have led the project), and they must have published three additional relevant publications as a co-author. These would normally need to have been published within the previous decade, and would not normally include non-peer reviewed articles, review articles, or abstracts within proceedings. Other forms of reviewed works such as book chapters, law reports and internal government/committee reports, may possibly be acceptable. Veterinarians who lack the necessary prerequisites may consider a standard or alternative residency programme. The former would normally follow a one-year
internship, and requires students to enrol in a three-year, full-time (or equivalent part-time) approved veterinary residency programme at an approved centre. Students may also design an alternative residency programme personalised to their needs, involving three years of full-time (or equivalent part-time) experience, which must all be completed within seven years. In this case the programme must be approved by the European College. All residency programmes must be supervised and overseen by an existing College diplomate. Further information about eligibility for the various routes, and submission of applications, is available via www.ecawbm. com/animal-welfare.
Specialist qualifications in Australia and New Zealand
The RCVS’s CertWEL and DWEL were the progenitors of the Chapter on Animal Welfare, established in 2000 within the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists (which became the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in 2012). ‘Membership in Animal Welfare’ is the first level of postgraduate qualification available to veterinarians through the Australian and New Zealand College. This signifies expertise and competence in the discipline. Veterinarians considering this route must have at least four years of postgraduate experience as a veterinarian, and must have successfully completed both written and oral examinations, which are currently available every two years. The higher level of qualification, ‘Fellowship in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law’, indicates scholarly and technical excellence. Fellowship is designed to meet or exceed the prerequisites for registration as a veterinary specialist in Australia and/or New Zealand. Previous Membership of the college in animal welfare is required, along with completion of a formal or more personalised alternative training programme (such as a residency), after which candidates must pass Fellowship examinations. The first examinations were held in 2010. Candidates must also submit three peer-reviewed publications relevant to the discipline, at least one of which must describe an original project other than a case report, for which the candidate had primary responsibility. Further information can be found at www.anzcvs.org.au.
Specialist qualifications in the USA
In the USA, the American College for Animal Welfare (ACAW) was recognised as a new veterinary specialty college by the AVMA on August 1, 2012. Similar to the European de facto route to accreditation, a Provisional Route exists for veterinarians
Downloaded from http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/ on June 29, 2015 - Published by group.bmj.com
Features who wish to become diplomates of this college (DACAW) and who already possessed the necessary expertise and experience on the date the college was recognised in 2012. In particular, candidates must have the equivalent of five full-time years of training and work experience within the animal welfare field. Candidates are also expected to possess knowledge of all of the aspects of animal welfare described within the lengthy Role Delineation Document (RDD) which is available via the college’s website (www.acaw.org). Candidates must submit credentialing documents by November 1 each year, describing in considerable detail their experience and expertise before August 1, 2012. If their credentialing documents are accepted, candidates will be permitted to take the examination, held once annually, around the middle of each year. Because the examination can only be attempted once annually, and because this route will close after 2018, interested veterinarians are advised to register, undergo credentialing, prepare, and attempt the examination, as early as possible. After 2018 it will only be possible to apply to become a diplomate after completion of formal training. For candidates who feel their experience or expertise in animal welfare is not sufficient to cover all areas within the RDD, two other routes to accreditation exist. These will be the only routes available after 2018. The Training Route requires candidates to complete a college-approved training programme, such as a residency. The Alternate Route is available for individuals unable to complete such an approved training programme because of lack of availability, or because of logistical or other barriers. This route is also open to those who lacked the required five full-time years of training and work experience, or who felt they were deficient in some of the areas within the RDD, as of August 1, 2012. It allows candidates to design a personalised training programme to address such deficiencies, under the guidance of an ACAW diplomate mentor, who must be sought by the candidate. Proposals for these training programmes must clearly define how existing expertise has been achieved, and what will be done to address any remaining deficiencies. Proposals may then be approved by the college. Candidates in both the training and alternate routes may apply for credentialing toward the end of their training, after which they have a maximum of five years and three attempts to pass the examination. Whether going down the provisional, training or alternative routes, candidates must also include details of two publications submitted on animal welfare topics to journals approved by the college, in which the candidate is the first author. These must
be accepted for publication by April 1 of the year in which a candidate intends to take the examination. Further information about the routes to accreditation available through the ACAW is available at www.acaw.org.
Popular field
The future has never been brighter for those veterinarians wishing to work in the animal welfare field. Job opportunities in this field are currently very limited, but they can be expected to expand considerably in the coming years. However, because of the popularity of animal welfare work among many veterinarians, those desiring a career within this field are strongly encouraged to pursue appropriate continuing education opportunities and qualifications, to maximise their knowledge and competitiveness in this emerging job market. For some, this will include the various pathways to veterinary specialisation in AWSEL. Currently, for veterinarians with sufficient existing knowledge and experience in AWSEL, and with sufficient relevant publications, it may be possible to become a diplomate of the new European or American colleges without undergoing formal training. However, this option normally exists only during the first few years in the life of a new specialty college, and will end in 2016 and 2018 for the European and American Colleges, respectively.
Acknowledgements
The author is grateful to the following colleagues who provided valuable feedback during the preparation of this article: Kathrin Herrmann, a German animal welfare specialist; David Morton, from the ECAWBM; Teresa Collins, from the Animal Welfare Chapter of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists; and Bonnie Beaver from ACAW.
References
Bones, V. C. & Yeates, J. W. (2012) The emergence of veterinary oaths: social, historical, and ethical considerations. Journal of Animal Ethics 2, 20-42 FVE/AVMA (2011) Joint Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) – American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) statement on the roles of veterinarians in ensuring good animal welfare. www. avma.org/KB/Policies/Pages/Joint-AVMA-Federationof-Veterinarians-of-Europe-Statement-on-The-Roles-ofVeterinarians-in-Ensuring-Good-Animal-Welfare.aspx. Accessed October 2, 2014. FVE/EAEVE (2013) FVE & EAEVE Report on European Veterinary Education in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law. www.fve.org/uploads/publications/docs/full_ report_aw_curriculum_adopted.pdf. Accessed October 2, 2014. WVA (2014) World Veterinary Association Position on the Role of the Veterinarian in Animal Welfare. www. favamember.org/en/images/stories/WVA/wva_position_paper_on_animal_welfare.pdf. Accessed October 2, 2014. Yeates, J. (2013) Animal Welfare in Veterinary Practice. Universities Federation for Animal Welfare.
doi: 10.1136/vr.g6029 November 8, 2014 | Veterinary Record | 451
Downloaded from http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/ on June 29, 2015 - Published by group.bmj.com
Pathways to specialising in animal welfare Andrew D. Knight Veterinary Record 2014 175: 449-451
doi: 10.1136/vr.g6029 Updated information and services can be found at: http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/175/18/449
These include:
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Notes
To request permissions go to: http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions To order reprints go to: http://journals.bmj.com/cgi/reprintform To subscribe to BMJ go to: http://group.bmj.com/subscribe/
Features
Feature Animal welfare
Pathways to specialising in animal welfare Safeguarding animal welfare is an important aspect of the day-to-day work of almost all veterinarians; however, only some choose to pursue specific postgraduate qualifications in this area. Andrew Knight describes some of the routes to specialisation that are available around the world, highlighting in particular how suitably experienced individuals can currently seek accreditation in Europe and the USA without undertaking a formal programme of study Animal welfare is an issue of everincreasing prominence within the veterinary profession. This is evidenced by recent statements about animal welfare made by various veterinary organisations (for example, FVE/AVMA 2011, WVA 2014); by recent veterinary conferences focused on animal welfare (such as the three OIE global conferences on animal welfare held to date, and the animal welfare symposium at Michigan State University jointly organised by the American Veterinary Medical Association [AVMA] and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges in 2009); by the increasing inclusion of animal welfare in veterinary curricula (FVE/EAEVE 2013); and by the publication of recent texts dedicated to animal welfare in veterinary practice (eg, Yeates 2013). The World Veterinary Association (WVA 2014) has stated that, ‘Animal welfare is a core mandate of the veterinary community generally and veterinarians individually’, noting ‘This concept is articulated by many veterinary organisations in their Code of Practice, Veterinary Oath or other statements of commitment.’ The specific inclusion of animal welfare within a revised AVMA veterinary oath in 2010 provides another good example (Bones and Yeates 2012). Similarly, animal welfare has become an increasingly prominent social issue. Andrew D. Knight, DipECAWBM (AWSEL), PhD, FOCAE, MRCVS Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, St Kitts, Caribbean e-mail: [email protected] Andrew Knight is a European veterinary specialist in animal welfare science, ethics and law and a fellow of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics. He is currently associate professor of welfare and ethics at Ross University
There are dedicated pathways to specialist animal welfare qualifications in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and the USA
Indeed, evolving social concerns about animal welfare have created the main stimulus for greater veterinary involvement.
Career options
In line with the rising trajectories of animal welfare within both the veterinary profession and society at large, options for veterinarians who would like to work in the animal welfare field are expanding, and will most probably continue to do so in the future. These include: working for non-governmental organisations, whether in hands-on roles providing veterinary services directly in domestic or foreign regions with limited access to such services, or by assisting with educational outreach or lobbying efforts; working with governmental organisations, such as animal inspectorates or policymaking bodies; working for corporations, which are increasingly responding to consumer pressure by establishing welfare standards for their suppliers of food animal products; working in academia, teaching the ever-expanding array of welfare courses and related subjects; and working with
veterinary associations, who are increasingly involved in establishing policies in this arena. However, competition for such positions is, and is likely to remain, high. Many veterinarians care deeply about animal welfare and, indeed, such concerns often played a substantial role in their earlier veterinary career choices. Accordingly, veterinarians interested in career paths in animal welfare would be wise to take advantage of the growing number of continuing education courses and qualifications available to them, both to increase their knowledge of the diverse aspects of the discipline of animal welfare science, ethics and law (AWSEL), and to increase their competitiveness within this employment market.
Courses and qualifications
There are now numerous postgraduate options for those not yet ready or able to work toward a veterinary specialist November 8, 2014 | Veterinary Record | 449
Downloaded from http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/ on June 29, 2015 - Published by group.bmj.com
Features qualification in animal welfare. Selected examples include online certificates in animal welfare and animal ethics offered by the Cambridge e-Learning Institute; a two-day University of Bristol workshop in AWSEL, usually held in November each year; a two-week course (although participants can elect to complete only some of the five sections) in AWSEL offered by the University of Cambridge, usually in September annually; the University of Edinburgh MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare, and its online MSc in International Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law; and the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine MS in Animals and Public Policy. Many other courses directly or partly focused on animal welfare are offered to veterinarians and non-veterinarians alike by various tertiary educational institutions. The Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law Veterinary Association provides a useful summary of continuing education options at www.awselva.org.uk/continuing-education. For veterinarians seeking to pursue specialist qualifications in AWSEL, options are now available in Europe and in Australia and New Zealand. Most recently, this has also become possible in the USA.
Specialist qualifications in Europe
UK In the UK, the RCVS Certificate (CertWEL) and Diploma (DWEL) in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law were established in the 1990s. The certificate was the first level of postgraduate qualification awarded to veterinarians by the RCVS, and was designed to signify experience and expertise in the subject in question. The first CertWEL was awarded in 1995. The Diploma was the associated specialist level qualification. It was approved in 1997, and the first two DsWEL were awarded in 1999. However, enrolments in these RCVS certificates and diplomas are no longer being accepted. Instead, veterinarians are now encouraged to enrol for the RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP), or in the European diploma relevant to their field. It is possible to tailor the CertAVP to reflect personal interests, including through the selection of modules focused on the theory and practice of AWSEL. Germany In Germany, veterinarians may seek to become a ‘Fachtierarzt/Fachtierärztin für Tierschutz und Tierschutzethik’ (that is, a veterinary specialist in welfare science and ethics), after working in animal welfare for the equivalent of four full-time years. This could be in locations such as universities, state authority animal welfare departments, or elsewhere. Candidates must have a 450 | Veterinary Record | November 8, 2014
supervisor who is already a specialist in this discipline. They must also attend workshops and conferences on animal welfare and ethics, and must publish two or three related articles in journals relevant to the discipline, as first author. After the fouryear period candidates are eligible to take an oral examination. European diploma The European equivalent to the RCVS DWEL is the subspecialty in AWSEL within the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine (DipECAWBM[AWSEL]). This subspecialty was provisionally recognised by the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation in 2011. Until April 2016, the college is accepting de facto Recognised Specialists,
‘Because of the popularity of animal welfare work among many veterinarians, those desiring a career within this field are strongly encouraged to pursue appropriate continuing education opportunities and qualifications, to maximise their knowledge and competitiveness in this emerging job market' who are not required to undertake a residency programme or submit to examination initially. This route is intended for veterinarians who already possess sufficient experience and expertise in AWSEL. Among other criteria, candidates for this route must have at least seven years of professional experience in AWSEL, must spend at least 60 per cent of their full-time working hours in the field, must demonstrate that they have a good fundamental and working knowledge of all three elements of the discipline (welfare science, ethics and law), and must demonstrate that they have made a significant contribution to at least one of these elements. In particular, they must have published at least three relevant publications as first author (or if named as a secondary author, they must nevertheless have led the project), and they must have published three additional relevant publications as a co-author. These would normally need to have been published within the previous decade, and would not normally include non-peer reviewed articles, review articles, or abstracts within proceedings. Other forms of reviewed works such as book chapters, law reports and internal government/committee reports, may possibly be acceptable. Veterinarians who lack the necessary prerequisites may consider a standard or alternative residency programme. The former would normally follow a one-year
internship, and requires students to enrol in a three-year, full-time (or equivalent part-time) approved veterinary residency programme at an approved centre. Students may also design an alternative residency programme personalised to their needs, involving three years of full-time (or equivalent part-time) experience, which must all be completed within seven years. In this case the programme must be approved by the European College. All residency programmes must be supervised and overseen by an existing College diplomate. Further information about eligibility for the various routes, and submission of applications, is available via www.ecawbm. com/animal-welfare.
Specialist qualifications in Australia and New Zealand
The RCVS’s CertWEL and DWEL were the progenitors of the Chapter on Animal Welfare, established in 2000 within the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists (which became the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in 2012). ‘Membership in Animal Welfare’ is the first level of postgraduate qualification available to veterinarians through the Australian and New Zealand College. This signifies expertise and competence in the discipline. Veterinarians considering this route must have at least four years of postgraduate experience as a veterinarian, and must have successfully completed both written and oral examinations, which are currently available every two years. The higher level of qualification, ‘Fellowship in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law’, indicates scholarly and technical excellence. Fellowship is designed to meet or exceed the prerequisites for registration as a veterinary specialist in Australia and/or New Zealand. Previous Membership of the college in animal welfare is required, along with completion of a formal or more personalised alternative training programme (such as a residency), after which candidates must pass Fellowship examinations. The first examinations were held in 2010. Candidates must also submit three peer-reviewed publications relevant to the discipline, at least one of which must describe an original project other than a case report, for which the candidate had primary responsibility. Further information can be found at www.anzcvs.org.au.
Specialist qualifications in the USA
In the USA, the American College for Animal Welfare (ACAW) was recognised as a new veterinary specialty college by the AVMA on August 1, 2012. Similar to the European de facto route to accreditation, a Provisional Route exists for veterinarians
Downloaded from http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/ on June 29, 2015 - Published by group.bmj.com
Features who wish to become diplomates of this college (DACAW) and who already possessed the necessary expertise and experience on the date the college was recognised in 2012. In particular, candidates must have the equivalent of five full-time years of training and work experience within the animal welfare field. Candidates are also expected to possess knowledge of all of the aspects of animal welfare described within the lengthy Role Delineation Document (RDD) which is available via the college’s website (www.acaw.org). Candidates must submit credentialing documents by November 1 each year, describing in considerable detail their experience and expertise before August 1, 2012. If their credentialing documents are accepted, candidates will be permitted to take the examination, held once annually, around the middle of each year. Because the examination can only be attempted once annually, and because this route will close after 2018, interested veterinarians are advised to register, undergo credentialing, prepare, and attempt the examination, as early as possible. After 2018 it will only be possible to apply to become a diplomate after completion of formal training. For candidates who feel their experience or expertise in animal welfare is not sufficient to cover all areas within the RDD, two other routes to accreditation exist. These will be the only routes available after 2018. The Training Route requires candidates to complete a college-approved training programme, such as a residency. The Alternate Route is available for individuals unable to complete such an approved training programme because of lack of availability, or because of logistical or other barriers. This route is also open to those who lacked the required five full-time years of training and work experience, or who felt they were deficient in some of the areas within the RDD, as of August 1, 2012. It allows candidates to design a personalised training programme to address such deficiencies, under the guidance of an ACAW diplomate mentor, who must be sought by the candidate. Proposals for these training programmes must clearly define how existing expertise has been achieved, and what will be done to address any remaining deficiencies. Proposals may then be approved by the college. Candidates in both the training and alternate routes may apply for credentialing toward the end of their training, after which they have a maximum of five years and three attempts to pass the examination. Whether going down the provisional, training or alternative routes, candidates must also include details of two publications submitted on animal welfare topics to journals approved by the college, in which the candidate is the first author. These must
be accepted for publication by April 1 of the year in which a candidate intends to take the examination. Further information about the routes to accreditation available through the ACAW is available at www.acaw.org.
Popular field
The future has never been brighter for those veterinarians wishing to work in the animal welfare field. Job opportunities in this field are currently very limited, but they can be expected to expand considerably in the coming years. However, because of the popularity of animal welfare work among many veterinarians, those desiring a career within this field are strongly encouraged to pursue appropriate continuing education opportunities and qualifications, to maximise their knowledge and competitiveness in this emerging job market. For some, this will include the various pathways to veterinary specialisation in AWSEL. Currently, for veterinarians with sufficient existing knowledge and experience in AWSEL, and with sufficient relevant publications, it may be possible to become a diplomate of the new European or American colleges without undergoing formal training. However, this option normally exists only during the first few years in the life of a new specialty college, and will end in 2016 and 2018 for the European and American Colleges, respectively.
Acknowledgements
The author is grateful to the following colleagues who provided valuable feedback during the preparation of this article: Kathrin Herrmann, a German animal welfare specialist; David Morton, from the ECAWBM; Teresa Collins, from the Animal Welfare Chapter of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists; and Bonnie Beaver from ACAW.
References
Bones, V. C. & Yeates, J. W. (2012) The emergence of veterinary oaths: social, historical, and ethical considerations. Journal of Animal Ethics 2, 20-42 FVE/AVMA (2011) Joint Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) – American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) statement on the roles of veterinarians in ensuring good animal welfare. www. avma.org/KB/Policies/Pages/Joint-AVMA-Federationof-Veterinarians-of-Europe-Statement-on-The-Roles-ofVeterinarians-in-Ensuring-Good-Animal-Welfare.aspx. Accessed October 2, 2014. FVE/EAEVE (2013) FVE & EAEVE Report on European Veterinary Education in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law. www.fve.org/uploads/publications/docs/full_ report_aw_curriculum_adopted.pdf. Accessed October 2, 2014. WVA (2014) World Veterinary Association Position on the Role of the Veterinarian in Animal Welfare. www. favamember.org/en/images/stories/WVA/wva_position_paper_on_animal_welfare.pdf. Accessed October 2, 2014. Yeates, J. (2013) Animal Welfare in Veterinary Practice. Universities Federation for Animal Welfare.
doi: 10.1136/vr.g6029 November 8, 2014 | Veterinary Record | 451
Downloaded from http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/ on June 29, 2015 - Published by group.bmj.com
Pathways to specialising in animal welfare Andrew D. Knight Veterinary Record 2014 175: 449-451
doi: 10.1136/vr.g6029 Updated information and services can be found at: http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/175/18/449
These include:
Email alerting service
Receive free email alerts when new articles cite this article. Sign up in the box at the top right corner of the online article.
Notes
To request permissions go to: http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions To order reprints go to: http://journals.bmj.com/cgi/reprintform To subscribe to BMJ go to: http://group.bmj.com/subscribe/
