For the third consecutive time, Washington State University has received full accreditation from the AAALAC International, a private, nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs.
“Animal-based research and teaching comes with the responsibility to provide animals with the highest level of ethical and humane care, something WSU is strongly committed to. We are incredibly proud of the great research and discovery that occurs through animal-based research, WSU’s Animal Care and Use Program, our continued improvements to the program, and the resulting continued accreditation from AAALAC,” said Christopher Keane, vice president for research at WSU and vice chancellor for research at WSU Pullman.
AAALAC commended WSU for several areas of excellence including the strong institutional support evident in part by the centralization of the animal facilities under the Office of the Campus Veterinarian (OCV). The transition to centralize the management of WSU’s animal facilities began in 2018 and was completed in 2020. The transition established a service-oriented, cost efficient program to meet the needs of the animal research community and provide centralized support for the entire university system under the direction of Nina Woodford, attending veterinarian and director of OCV.
Additionally, AAALAC highlighted improvements completed to the university’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, as well as renovations for the Murdoch Aquatics Phenomics Center, which will enable WSU aquatics researchers to characterize novel gene functions, expediate drug discovery and predict how a variety of species will respond to natural and human-induced environmental change, and the pending new aquatic animal facility on the WSU Vancouver campus.
“Over the past few years, the Office of Campus Veterinarian and the Office of Research have made several significant changes to our animal care infrastructure, which has enabled us to provide the highest level of humane animal care,” said Woodford. “These improvements allow for greater management of facility operations to ensure the safety of animal housing and the day-to-day care animals receive. Additionally, centralization of our animal facilities has promoted campus-wide strategic planning and collaboration for the animal care and use program. It has also allowed us to capitalize on the efficiencies for both personnel and goods and services.”
AAALAC also acknowledged that veterinary staff and staff who serve within the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), a self-regulating oversight committee required by institutions and research laboratories that use animals for teaching, research or testing, were well-informed and knowledgeable about providing the highest level of humane animal care. IACUC reviews WSU research and teaching protocols that involve live vertebrate animals.
“Most importantly, AAALAC recognized the dedicated animal care employees across all WSU campuses who provided seamless and continuous animal care, especially during the pandemic. The association also praised our students who are part of the integrated student dairy program for their dedication and knowledge of animal care and use,” said Woodford.
WSU receives an AAALAC program review and site visit every three years to ensure the Animal Care and Use Program is meeting the highest standards. This is the third consecutive full accreditation for WSU.
More than 1,040 companies, universities, hospitals, government agencies and other research institutions in 50 countries have earned AAALAC accreditation, demonstrating their commitment to responsible animal care and use.
