A record of 263 participants from universities across the globe completed animal welfare online assessments to compete.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recently virtually hosted the 21st annual Animal Welfare Assessment Contest (AWJAC) featuring a record 263 participants representing 28 universities and 8 countries completing online assessments of animal welfare in an array of settings.
According to an organizational release, the participants included undergraduates, graduate students, veterinary students, veterinary technicians, AVMA member veterinarians, and members of international veterinary medical associations who were offered a structured chance to practice their assessment skills and display their findings to an expert panel of scientists and veterinarians specializing in animal welfare. The species covered in the scenarios included boars, domestic cats, and psittacines (eg, parrots, macaws, cockatoos and lories).
Individual winners in the Undergraduate Junior Division were:
Team winners in the Undergraduate Junior Division were:
Individual winners in the Undergraduate Senior Division were:
Team winners in the Undergraduate Senior Division were:
Individual winners in the Graduate Division were:
Team winners in the Graduate Division were:
Individual winners in the Veterinary Division were:
Team winners in the Veterinary Division were:
Top Placing Individual in the Interactive Assessment were:
Top Placing Team in the Interactive Assessment were:
"Congratulations are due not only to this year's winners, but to all of the participants who made this year's competition the largest yet," said Jose Arce, DVM, president of the AVMA, in the release.
"It's wonderful to see so many students and veterinarians participate in an event that’s so important to the recognition and advancement of animal welfare in the veterinary profession and in our society. The knowledge, connections, and skills gained over the course of the contest will benefit the participants and the animals they treat for a lifetime," he added.
What’s more, the contest featured presentations on animal welfare issues in the dairy industry, swine industry, rodeo, companion animal medicine, and wildlife. A virtual networking reception enabled participants to engage with animal welfare experts working in industry, academia, clinical practice, and not-for-profit organizations. Plus, AWJAC participants had the opportunity to earn up to 6 hours of continuing education credit.
Founded in 2001 at Michigan State University as the Animal Welfare Judging and Assessment Contest, the Animal Welfare Assessment Contest was modeled after traditional livestock, horse and meat judging competitions. The current Animal Welfare Assessment Contest is funded in part through an educational grant from Merck Animal Health and it unites students internationally.
Reference
Winners announced for 2021 AVMA Animal Welfare Assessment Contest. News release. American Veterinary Medical Association. November 23, 2021. Accessed November 23, 2021. https://www.avma.org/news/press-releases/winners-announced-2021-avma-animal-welfare-assessment-contest
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