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DeVry-Owned Vet School Stops Killing but Animal Suffering Continues

June 10, 2009

by Ian Smith

Norfolk, Va. (RPRN) 6/10/2009- — As a result of an ongoing campaign by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, which is located on the island of St. Kitts and is owned by DeVry Inc., recently adopted a new policy banning all procedures from its teaching curriculum that result in the death of a healthy animal. Until recently, the veterinary school required students to practice invasive surgeries on—and kill—healthy dogs, donkeys, goats, sheep, and other animals.

Concerned students who were asked to participate in these cruel procedures as a requirement for graduation shared information with PETA about the veterinary school's poor animal welfare standards and provided the organization with photographs that graphically illustrated the extent of the abuse.

PETA's ongoing efforts to encourage the adoption of a more humane curriculum at Ross University have resulted in some improvements, but PETA continues to insist that no healthy animals should be subjected to any medically unnecessary procedures, a standard that has already been met at many veterinary schools in the U.S. and around the world.

Veterinary students at Tufts University and the Western University of Health Sciences, for example, use sophisticated manikins similar to those used in medical schools. Rather than injuring and practicing on healthy animals, students gain extensive hands-on experience while treating animals who genuinely need veterinary care. These veterinary schools often develop relationships with nearby animal shelters so that they can provide care for animals who need treatment.

PETA Vice President Kathy Guillermo explains the trend toward more humane veterinary education, stating, "Schools have realized that requiring future veterinarians to harm animals undermines the lessons in animal welfare that veterinary schools attempt to teach their students."

PETA has offered to help Ross University establish a teaching hospital on the island of St. Kitts, where there is a significant stray-animal population. Spaying and neutering these animals would provide surgical experience for students and alleviate the overpopulation crisis.

Guillermo stressed the benefits that a humane curriculum offers both animals and students.

"Students at the school have dedicated their lives to helping animals," she said, "so it is imperative that Ross stop forcing these students to hurt them."

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