Attitudes towards animals and belief in animal mind among first-year veterinary students before and after an introductory animal welfare course

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 409-418
Author(s):  
JA Robbins ◽  
JA Danielson ◽  
AK Johnson ◽  
RL Parsons ◽  
MW Jorgensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
First Year ◽  
Veterinary Students ◽  
Sociodemographic Variables ◽  
Animal Mind ◽  
Food Animal ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Students Attitudes

Veterinarians are increasingly looked to for guidance on matters relating to animal welfare, yet little is known about US veterinary students' attitudes and beliefs about animals. In 2019, we surveyed all first-year veterinary students at a major US veterinary college (n = 123) before and after taking a required one-credit introductory animal welfare course. Attitudes were measured using the Pests, Pets and Profit (PPP) scale and belief in animal mind (BAM) was measured using an ad hoc measure adapted from previous work. Pre- and post-course comparisons indicated the introductory animal welfare course had no immediate effect on veterinary students' attitudes or BAM. Veterinary students' attitudes were most positive for animals considered pets, followed by pests and those used for profit. Students believed most species possess a wide variety of mental capacities, including many secondary emotions often considered uniquely human (eg guilt, embarrassment, jealousy). Sociodemographic variables consistently associated with more positive attitudes towards animals were: female gender, vegetarianism and liberal political ideology. Preferring a career involving large or food animal practice was consistently associated with less positive attitudes towards animals. Belief in animal mind explained 3% of the variation in attitude scores, whereas sociodemographic variables explained 49% of variation in attitude scores. Female gender, vegetarianism and preferring small (vs large or food animal practice) were all associated with greater BAM scores. Understanding veterinary student attitudes towards animals and beliefs about the mental capacities of animals is important when evaluating a veterinarian's ability to adhere to their oath.

scholarly journals 321 Socio-demographic factors associated with attitudes towards animals among first-year veterinary students

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 5-6
Author(s):  
Jesse Robbins ◽  
Rebecca Parsons ◽  
Anna Johnson ◽  
Matthew Jorgensen ◽  
Jared Danielson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Political Ideology ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Attitudes And Beliefs ◽  
Veterinary Students ◽  
Animal Mind ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Baseline Information ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Socio Demographic Factors

Abstract Veterinarians are seen as experts in matters relating to animal welfare and ethics. However, relatively little is known about veterinary students’ attitudes and beliefs towards animals. To begin to address this gap, we surveyed the freshman class of veterinary students at a major U.S. veterinary college (n = 125) to examine their views on the ethics of various forms of animal use, their beliefs about the extent to which different species are capable of experiencing emotions (AKA ‘belief in animal mind’) and their beliefs about the degree to which humans and non-human animals are similar. The 20-item attitudes towards animal scale showed high internal consistency (a = 0.91, CI95 [95% Confidence Interval] 0.89, 0.93). Preliminary multiple regression analyses indicated female (vs male) students held more positive attitudes toward animals (b = 0.35, P = .005). Growing up in a household where animals were raised for food was associated with less positive attitudes (b = -0.30, P = .006). More liberal political ideology was associated with more positive attitudes towards animals (b = 0.17, P = < .0001). Female students also believed animals were capable of experiencing a greater diversity of emotions (b = 126.96, P = 0001). Neither socioeconomic status (P = 0.65) nor having a pet as a child (P = 0.12) were associated with attitudes towards animals or belief in animal mind. However, childhood pet ownership was associated with greater perceived similarity between human and non-human animals (b = 1.38, P = 0.01). Subsequent analyses will assess whether taking a required, introductory course in animal welfare has any effect on these measures. Eventually these data could provide baseline information for longitudinal analyses exploring how student attitudes and beliefs about animals are affected as they progress through the veterinary curriculum.

scholarly journals Opinions towards Companion Animals and Their Welfare: A Survey of Croatian Veterinary Students

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomislav Mikuš ◽  
Mario Ostović ◽  
Ivana Sabolek ◽  
Kristina Matković ◽  
Željko Pavičić ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Veterinary Medicine ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
First Year ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Veterinary Students ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Study Programme ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Before And After

This survey was the first one investigating opinions of veterinary students in Croatia towards companion animals and their welfare, with special reference to dogs and cats as the most popular companion animals in the European Union. The study included students of all six years of the integrated undergraduate and graduate veterinary medicine study programme in Croatia. First-year students were surveyed twice, before and after having attended the course on animal welfare. Student opinions were assessed on the basis of their mean responses to five-point Likert scale questions and frequency of responses to Yes/No/I do not know questions and ratio scale questions. Study results revealed students to have strongly positive opinions towards companion animals and their welfare. The majority of student statements did not differ significantly between the first and sixth study years or before and after having attended the animal welfare course in the first study year, mostly yielding a straight, non-fluctuating line. Students were not sure whether welfare of companion dogs and cats was compromised. Study results pointed to reliable and reasonable opinions of veterinary medicine students in Croatia towards companion animals and their welfare, as well as to the welfare issues these species may be facing nowadays.

scholarly journals Breaking the Binary

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy Mercer-Mapstone ◽  
Sarah Bajan ◽  
Kasia Banas ◽  
Arthur Morphett ◽  
Kristine McGrath
Keyword(s):  
Minority Group ◽  
First Year ◽  
Sex And Gender ◽  
Biological Sex ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Student Cohorts ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Partnership Approach

The need to make higher education curricula gender-inclusive is increasingly pressing as student cohorts diversify. We adopted a student-staff partnership approach to design, integrate, and evaluate a module that taught first-year science students the difference between biological sex, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation in the context of genetics concepts at an Australian university. This module aimed to break the binary in misconceptions of both sex and gender, emphasising that both exist on separate spectra. Data triangulation was used to evaluate students’ attitudes towards the module and their learning of module concepts. Students’ attitudes were positive overall, and evaluation of students’ learning indicated that the majority of students understood and retained key concepts, while also identifying common misconceptions. Perhaps the most important finding was that students who identified as belonging to a minority group had significantly more positive attitudes towards the module than non-minority students. This finding supports previous research that has found inclusive curricula have greater benefit for students from minority backgrounds, indicating the importance of making such curriculum enhancements. Our results speak to both the co-creation process and students’ learning outcomes, providing valuable insights for practitioners both within science and beyond.

scholarly journals Familiarity and Interest in Working with Livestock Decreases the Odds of Having Positive Attitudes towards Non-Human Animals and Their Welfare among Veterinary Students in Italy

Animals ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Mariti ◽  
Federica Pirrone ◽  
Mariangela Albertini ◽  
Angelo Gazzano ◽  
Silvana Diverio
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Animal Rights ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Attitude Scale ◽  
Veterinary Students ◽  
Normal Behaviour ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Species Type ◽  
Potential Impact

We investigated the attitudes of veterinary students towards animals and their welfare in Italy. Regression analyses revealed predictors that are significant in differentiating students’ scoring tendency based on their gender, familiarity, and intention to work with a specific animal species, type of diet, and membership in an animal rights association. Female students, who were mostly familiar with pets and aspired to work with species other than livestock, following an animal-free diet and being a member of an animal rights association, had a significantly greater odds of having a high Animal Attitude Scale score (AAS), i.e., very positive attitude towards animals, versus a less positive attitude. Conversely, the familiarity with livestock and preference for working with livestock significantly increased the odds of a low AAS. Overall, students considered all of the Brambell Report’s Five Freedoms important for animal welfare protection. However, students scored higher for companion animals than for livestock, particularly regarding the freedom to express normal behaviour and the absence of fear and distress. This study suggests that veterinary students place less importance on the psychological aspects of welfare for livestock, and there is a tendency for students who are mostly familiar, or aspire to work, with livestock to have a less positive attitude towards non-human animals and their welfare. These findings should be considered within the veterinary educational curriculum due to their potential impact on animal welfare.

Outcome assessment of a computer-animated model for learning about the regulation of glomerular filtration rate

2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jody L. Gookin ◽  
Dan McWhorter ◽  
Shelly Vaden ◽  
Lysa Posner
Keyword(s):  
Glomerular Filtration Rate ◽  
Glomerular Filtration ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Filtration Rate ◽  
First Year ◽  
Veterinary Students ◽  
Advanced Students ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Written Materials

The regulation of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a particularly important and challenging concept for students to integrate into a memorable framework for building further knowledge and solving clinical problems. In this study, 76 first-year veterinary students and 19 veterinarians in clinical specialty training (house officers) participated in separate online exercises to evaluate the use of a computer-animated model of GFR regulation ( www.aamc.org/mededportal ) on learning outcome. Students were randomly allocated to study either the animated model or written materials before completion of a 10-question multiple-choice quiz. House officers completed a 35-question test before and after study of the animated model. Both groups completed a survey about the learning exercise. The ability of the model to enhance learning was demonstrated by a significant improvement ( P < 0.001) in the test performance of house officers after studying the model. The model performed similarly to written materials alone in affecting the subsequent quiz performance of the students. The majority of students and house officers agreed or strongly agreed that the animated model was easy to understand, improved their knowledge and appreciation of the importance of GFR regulation, and that they would recommend the model to peers. Most students [63 of 76 students (83%)] responded that they would prefer the use of the animated model alone over the study of written materials but acknowledged that a combination of hardcopy written notes and the animated model would be ideal. A greater applicability of the model to more advanced students and an introduction in a didactic setting before individual study were suggested by the house officers. The results of this study suggest that the animated model is a useful, effective, and well-received tool for learning and creating a visual memory of the regulatory mechanisms of GFR.

scholarly journals Factors Associated with Changes in Knowledge and Attitude towards Public Health Concepts among Chiropractic College Students Enrolled in a Community Health Class

2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin A. Rose ◽  
Samir Ayad
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Chiropractic College ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Health Concepts ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Knowledge And Attitude

Purpose: This survey was conducted to identify factors thatmay be associated with changes in knowledge and attitudes towards basic health promotion and public health concepts among chiropractic students enrolled in a course in community health. Methods: Anonymous surveys were conducted of students before and after a second-year chiropractic college course in community health. Results were analyzed using percentages and Chi Square statistics as appropriate. Results: Students' knowledge of health promotion and public health concepts improved significantly by the end of the course. Students' attitudes towards these also improved, although to a lesser degree. Students indicated that they had a favorable impression of the importance of utilizing health promotion in practice and working with other public health professionals. However, vaccinations were still looked upon unfavorably by half of the students by the end of the course. Pre-class, a positive attitude towards public health concepts was associated with being female, older, Latino, having children, having a poorer perceived health status, conservative politically and religious. These differences tended to lessen by the end of the course. Conclusions: A course in community health was successful in adding to students' knowledge and positive attitudes towards health promotion and public health. However, additional educational strategies are needed to ensure changes in future practice behavior, particularly in the area of vaccinations.

scholarly journals Using Videos to Increase Midwifery Students Listening Skills and Students’ Attitude

Curricula ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Resi Silvia
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Technique ◽  
First Year ◽  
Listening Skills ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Comprehension Ability ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
The One ◽  
Dependent Sample ◽  
Comprehension Tests ◽  
Academic Year

<p><em>Video materials were used this study to examine the effectiveness of teaching English and to evaluate university students’ attitudes towards the use of video materials in teaching listening skills. The population for this study was 32 first-year midwifery students in the second semester of the academic year 2016/2017 at Adiwangsa University, Jambi. The sample were selected by total sampling technique. The study was conducted in 12 meeting including pretest and posttest. The one-group pretest-posttest design was implemented in this study. The instruments used in this study were lesson plans, English comprehension tests (pretest and posttest) and a questionnaire of the students’ attitude. Regarding the data analysis, mean score and pretest-posttest scores for the dependent sample were employed. The result indicated that the midwifery students’ English listening comprehension ability increased significantly after learning with videos and midwifery students had positive attitudes towards using videos in teaching listening skills.</em></p>

scholarly journals Introducing cooperative learning: students’ attitudes towards learning and the implications for self-directed learning

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elsa Mentz ◽  
Sukie van Zyl
Keyword(s):  
Cooperative Learning ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Computer Application ◽  
First Year ◽  
Application Technology ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Directed Learning ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Attitudes Towards Learning

This article reports on research that aims to enhance self-directed learning by introducing cooperative learning strategies. The two-fold aim of this research was firstly to determine whether the implementation of cooperative learning in a Computer Application Technology class of first-year students contributed to positive attitudes towards learning, and secondly, whether students’ attitudes towards learning, after completion of the cooperative learning intervention, related to their self-directedness. We conclude that the implementation of cooperative learning in a Computer Application Technology first-year class positively contributes to students’ attitudes towards learning and their attitudes towards learning related to their perceived self-directed learning (SDL) readiness.

scholarly journals Sheep and goat welfare in Croatia: Assessing veterinary student attitudes

2021 ◽  
pp. 10-10
Author(s):  
Mario Ostovic ◽  
Tomislav Mikus ◽  
Velimir Susic ◽  
Kristina Matkovic ◽  
Zeljko Pavicic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Veterinary Medicine ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
First Year ◽  
Student Responses ◽  
Sheep And Goats ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Student Residence

Research into the veterinary perception of animal welfare is becoming ever more relevant. Following previous studies on Croatian veterinary students? attitudes and opinions towards farm animal and pet welfare, the present study assessed their attitudes towards sheep and goat welfare, focusing on the year of veterinary medicine study and area of student residence. The questionnaire survey involved students of all six years of the integrated undergraduate and graduate study programme at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. First-year students filled out the questionnaire twice, before and after having attended the animal welfare subject. The questionnaire consisted of two sections. The first section included questions on student demographic and experiential characteristics, whereas the second section asked them to define the level of cognition, sentience and welfare compromise in sheep and goats through five-point Likert scale questions. Study results revealed that students agreed that sheep and goats have cognitive abilities and feelings, but they neither agreed nor disagreed about their welfare compromise. There was no significant difference in student responses according to years of study or between first-year student responses before and after having attended the animal welfare subject or according to areas of student residence. These results could suggest poor student interaction with small ruminants and, therefore, help expand the respective curriculum.

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