VNUR20350 Animal Behavior and Welfare Management

Academic Year 2024/2025

This module will equip students with the skills needed to support the behavioural health of animals in veterinary practice. The normal behaviour of domestic animals will be covered, with a focus on development and social and communicative behaviours. Students will learn how to identify and prevent or alleviate stress, negative emotions and behavioural problems in their patients. Upon completion of this module, students will also be able to triage behavioural problems and provide clients with basic management and training advice. The teaching in this module will involve lectures and tutorials. Within-trimester assessment will be employed in addition to an end of trimester oral examination.

***Please check and be aware if this module is a prerequisite (Academic Regulation 3.27(a)) for any future modules.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify/describe the species-typical behaviour and behavioural needs of domestic animals.
2. Correctly identify/describe the behavioural/communicative signals of domestic animals, and use these to interpret emotional/motivational state.
3. Identify/discuss animal welfare issues associated with the provision of veterinary care and how to prevent and/or improve them.
4. Perform behavioural triage.
5. Provide basic animal training and behaviour advice to clients (including "first aid" advice for serious animal behaviour problems).
6. Explain how to use behavioural tools and supplements to help manage animal behaviour, including their mode(s) of action, benefits, and risks/limitations.

Indicative Module Content:

Normal animal behaviour
Animal welfare
Animal learning theory & training methods
Animal behaviour problems

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

26

Tutorial

8

Autonomous Student Learning

70

Total

104

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
Active/task-based learning
Group work
Peer learning
Critical writing
Independent learning 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Prior learning requirements include domestic animal husbandry and animal handling/restraint.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
:
-

Incompatibles:
ANSC30130 - Prins of An Hlth, Behav&W'fare


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Participation in Learning Activities: Active participation in animal welfare tutorial n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale No

15

Practical Skills Assessment: Simulation of a short veterinary nursing consult on an animal behaviour problem. n/a Graded Yes

70

Quizzes/Short Exercises: Brightspace quiz on identifying the emotions of domestic animals. n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale No

15


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Automated feedback will be provided for incorrect answers in the Brightspace quiz. Formative feedback will be provided to the class on the animal welfare tutorial. A rubric will be provided in advance to facilitate self and peer assessment of performance in a practice simulation. Staff will provide individual feedback to each student on their performance in the simulation exam, using the same rubric. Whole class feedback on common strengths and errors will also be provided when possible/appropriate.

• Arrowsmith, C. (2010) Brain Games For Dogs. Interpet Publishing: Surrey
• Bowen, J. and Heath, S. (2005) Behaviour problems in small animals: practical advice for the veterinary team. Elsevier Saunders: Edinburgh
• Bradshaw, J.W.S. (2012) In defence of dogs. Penguin: London
• Bradshaw, J.W.S., Casey, R.A. and Brown, S.L. (2012) The behaviour of the domestic cat. 2nd Ed. CABI: Oxfordshire
• Bradshaw, J.W.S. and Ellis, S. (2016) The Trainable Cat. A Practical Guide to Making Life Happier For You and Your Cat. Penguin Books
• Bradshaw, J.W.S. (2017) The Animals Among Us. How Pets Make Us Human. Penguin Books
• Burch, M.R. and Bailey, J.S. (1999) How dogs learn. New York: Howell Book House
• Coren, S. (2000) Why We Love The Dogs We Do: How To Find The Dog That Matches Your Personality. Fireside: New York
• Fallon, M. and Davenport, V. (2016) Babies, Kids and Dogs. Creating a safe and harmonious relationship. Hubble and Hattie: Dorset
• Grandin, T. and Deesing, M. (2008) Humane livestock handling. Storey Pub: North Adams, MA
• Hedges, S. (2014) Practical Canine Behaviour for Veterinary Nurses and Technicians. CABI: Oxfordshire
• Horwitz, D.F., Mills, D.S., Heath, S. (2009) BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural medicine. 2nd Ed. British Small Animal Veterinary Association: Quedgeley, Gloucester
. Howell, A. & Feyrecilde, M. 2018, Cooperative veterinary care, John Wiley & Sons Inc, Hoboken, NJ.
• Landsberg, G.M., Hunthausen, W.L., Ackermann, L. and Lowell, J. (2013) Behavioural problems of the dog and cat. 3rd Edn. W.B. Saunders: Edinburgh
• Mallatratt, K. (2016) Home alone and happy! Essential life skills for preventing separation anxiety in dogs and puppies. Hubble and Hattie: Dorset
• McGreevy, P. (2012) Equine Behavior: A Guide for Veterinarians and Equine Scientists. 2nd Ed. Saunders Elsevier Ltd:
• Mills, D. and Nankervis, K.J. (1999) Equine Behaviour: Principles and Practice. Blackwell Science Ltd: Oxford
• Rodan, I. and Heath, S. (2016) Feline Behavioural Health and Welfare. Elsevier: St Louis
• Ryan, S., Zulch, H. and Baumber, P. (2014) No Walks? No Worries! Maintaining wellbeing in dogs on restricted exercise. Hubble and Hattie: Dorset
• Shaw, J. and Martin, D. (2014) Canine and Feline Behavior for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses. John Wiley and Sons: Oxford
• Sparkes, A. and Ellis, S. (2016) ISFM Guide: Feline Stress and Health. Managing negative emotions to Improve Feline Health and Wellbeing.
• Tynes, V.V. (2010) Behavior of Exotic Pets. Blackwell Publishing Ltd: West Sussex
• Yin, S. (2004, also 2010) How To Behave So Your Dog Behaves. New Jersey: T.F.H. Publications Inc.
• Yin, S. (2009) Low Stress Handling Restraint and Behavior Modification of Dogs and Cats: Techniques For Developing Patients Who Love Their Visits. Cattledog Publishing: Davis, California
• Young, R.J. (2003) UFAW Animal Welfare Series; Environmental enrichment for captive animals. Blackwell Publishing: Oxford
• Zulch, H. (2012) Life Skills For Puppies. Laying the foundation for a loving, lasting relationship. Hubble and Hattie: Dorset
Name Role
Dr Robin Farrell Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Mark Mc Corry Tutor