Table 1.

EAEVE/FVE model animal welfare curriculum adopted in 2013.

Syllabus	Learning Objectives (Being Able to…)	Day One Competences
1. Animal welfare concepts: e.g., Biological functioning (fitness); ‘natural living’; emotional (affective) states Analytical frameworks: e.g., Five Freedoms, Three Rs; Concept of Quality of a Life, Ethical Matrix	1. Define animal welfare concepts 2. Recognise different welfare concepts and how they are used 3. Describe quality of life in a continuum between negative and positive welfare and overall balance 4. Analyse the scientific bases as well as the value judgements underlying each concept 5. Employ concepts in practice	1. Appraise concepts and frameworks of animal welfare
2. Biological functioning Adaptive capacity Motivation and cognition Sentience (feelings e.g., pain, emotions e.g., boredom, pleasure) Qualitative/quantitative assessment of internal states Stress (distress, eustress i.e., stressors to which an animal can adapt or cope) Behaviour Ethological methods Objective observation and recording Genetic/environmental interactions	6. Recognise species-specific behaviour at individual and group levels, and influence of environment and early experiences 7. Define homeostasis/allostasis 8. Distinguish between normal and abnormal behaviour 9. Describe interactions between genetics and environment 10. Appraise animals’ environmental ‘needs/wants’ and consequences of not providing them 11. Recognise the role of productivity in assessment	2. Evaluate the biological basis of welfare requirements
3. Welfare assessment in practice Welfare records, protocols and assurance programmes Techniques for welfare assessment Risk assessment methodology for animal welfare Housing and husbandry (including Handling and restraining of animals Transport Moving animals between environments (e.g., showing, sport and competition, conservation) Humane slaughter and killing	12. Outline the functioning of scoring systems, protocols and assurance programmes 13. Identify physiological, production and behavioural measures of welfare 14. Determine welfare hazards, exposures, consequences and risk 15. Implement basic AW records 16. Determine the welfare impact on the quality of animal products	3. Apply an animal welfare assessment to various categories of animals
4. Personal and professional competences / attributes Validity of scientific data Recognition of different beliefs, ethical dilemmas and moral conflicts Communication skills Professional behaviour in clinical decision making (e.g., client and animal “best interests”) Objective advice for responsible stewardship and ownership Some understanding of the philosophy of science and epistemology	17. Retrieve and make use of relevant academic literature 18. Reflect on the individual’s emotions and moral intuitions regarding animal welfare (e.g., empathy) 19. Differentiate between personal and professional standpoints 20. Appraise regulatory requirements and ethical duties 21. Promote positive welfare and minimise negative practices (e.g., pain management) 22. Recognise the role of veterinarians as educators as well as communicators 23. Communicate relevant information effectively and mediate interests	4. Formulate and communicate an informed view on animal welfare matters
5. Human-animal relationships Concept of duty of care Human wellbeing and animal welfare (e.g., links between animal and human abuse, burnout, suicide) Human-Animal bond Reasons for killing (e.g., slaughter euthanasia, culling, population control) Moral reasoning and ethical theories Political contexts Cultural differences Influence of economics	24. Recognise the diversity of functions and uses of animals within society 25. Describe and debate the different ethical views on animals. 26. Identify ethical dilemmas and deal with human wellbeing within the profession 27. Examine the underlying values that justify the rules and norms regarding animal welfare and protection 28. Recognise and report possible abuse of animals	5. Place animal welfare in societal and ethical contexts
6. Welfare legislation, regulations and norms Animal welfare regulations (regional, national, European and global) Limitations of legislation Professional standards Veterinary roles as an enforcement officer and as expert witness Veterinary certification requirements	29. Identify national, international, EU animal welfare legislation and guidelines, and OIE standards 30. Recognise animal welfare implications on trade of animals and products 31. Employ procedural guidelines, and codes of practice regarding animal welfare 32. Distinguish between formal (legal) vs. ethical responsibilities regarding the welfare of animals 33. Apply ‘private’ animal welfare standards 34. Write reports and produce satisfactory certificates	6. Place animal welfare in legal and professional contexts