UFAW LINKS scheme supports student attendance at animal welfare assessment contest

In November 2022, UFAW supported student teams from Long Island University, Iowa State University and Atlantic Veterinary College to attend the 22nd annual American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Animal Welfare Assessment Contest (AWJAC).

Open to veterinary, undergraduate and graduate students, the contest teaches participants to assess the welfare of animals in a variety of settings using science-based methods and reasoning. This year, the contest was held at North Carolina State University and involved 225 registrants representing 23 universities from across North America. Participants completed in-person assessments of the welfare of show chickens, dairy-beef cattle, an octopus in an aquarium and dogs and cats in an animal shelter and presented their findings to an expert panel of scientists and veterinarians. A live scenario was also assessed.

In the Team Veterinary Division, Atlantic Veterinary College Team 1 placed second, Atlantic Veterinary College Team 2 placed third and Long Island University Team 1 placed fourth. Hannah Spitzer from Atlantic Veterinary College placed fourth in the Individual Graduate Division and was also the top placing individual in the Live Assessments.

In the Individual Veterinary Division Category, Magnus Yoshimura of Long Island University placed second making Long Island University the only US veterinary school to place in both the individual and team veterinary student categories.

We would like to pass our congratulations to all the teams from Long Island University, Iowa and Atlantic Veterinary College who participated in the contest.

The students’ attendance at the contest was supported through the UFAW LINKS scheme. The scheme is our international outreach initiative that encourages engagement with animal welfare science at a global network of participating universities and colleges. We are keen to expand the network, so if you would like to become a LINK for your institution, or you would like some more information, please email Dr Stephen Wickens at wickens@ufaw.org.uk.