Veterinary education and students' attitudes towards animal welfare

Abstract

Veterinary students at two British universities in their first preclinical, first clinical and final years of study, completed questionnaires designed to assess their attitudes towards the welfare of animals. These attitudes were divided into their two constituent components: emotional (emotional empathy with animals) and cognitive (belief in the sentience of animals). Analyses of variance revealed that the year of study was significantly related to the perceived sentience of dogs, cats and cows, with students in their later years of study rating them as having lower levels of sentience. The female students rated themselves as having significantly higher levels of emotional empathy with animals than did the male students. There was also a significant interaction between sex and year of study, the female students maintaining relatively high levels of empathy throughout the three years, whereas the male students showed lower levels of empathy in their later years.

The Importance of Animal Welfare Science and Ethics to Veterinary Students in Australia and New Zealand

“…One possible explanation for this low rating is that the way this topic is worded may not convey the strong feelings, political pressures, and community opinions that often arise concerning animal welfare. The finding that this was rated lower in senior students is consistent with the known lower levels of empathy toward animals in students in the later years of their program, 21,22 particularly in male students, 13 though there may be important geographical variations 23 and variations for different classes of animals. 24 This apparent desensitization may be a protective mechanism to avoid moral distress, a characteristic that has been identified by veterinary practitioners and students.…”

“…11 Engaging veterinary students in interactive activities based on moral development theory and ethical decision making can develop their moral judgment skills, 12 and may help to counter the desensitization of students during their veterinary training. 13,14 Similar research in the Box 1: Key AWE topics selected for inclusion in the questionnaire…”

Veterinarians’ Discourses on Animals and Clients

“…Thus more young female veterinarians identify with ''The Supporter of the Responsible Farmer'' and ''The Professional Veterinarian''; young male veterinarians identify more with 'Animals' Advocates' and ''The Situational, Pragmatic and Intuitive Veterinarians.'' Earlier studies also found correlations among veterinary students between moral reasoning or the human-animal bond and gender (Self et al, 1996;Williams et al, 1999;Paul and Podberscek, 2000;Martin et al, 2003).…”

Veterinary Students' Views on Animal Patients and Human Clients, Using Q-Methodology

“…11 Analyses of variance revealed that year of study was significantly related to students' perception of the sentience of dogs, cats, and cows: students in later years of study rating these animals as having lower levels of sentience. Female students rated themselves as having significantly higher levels of emotional empathy with animals than did the male students.…”

“…This is surprising, since other studies have found correlations, among veterinary students, between moral reasoning or the human-animal bond and gender. [7][8][9][10]11,12 It must be noted however, that few men participated in this study, since approximately 80% of current Dutch veterinary students are female.…”