School Bans Vivisection Practice

The Michigan State University Veterinary School will eliminate the student practice of terminal surgeries of canines beginning in fall 2010. Terminal surgeries involve the anesthetization and ultimate euthanization of dogs bred specifically for the purpose of student surgical training. In 2009, the program—the only veterinarian program in the state—put to sleep approximately 140 dogs. Most of the country’s 28 veterinary schools now rely on alternative, non-lethal student-practice techniques, which involve the use of computer simulation, cadavers, and models of animals.