My job responsibilities cover a great variety of animal species. I need to know how to prevent diseases and recognize these diseases early. I must know if the signs I see are expected due to the scientific study or are caused by an unrelated disease.
I enjoy learning about species differences and similarities. I've learned about the animal diets and special nutritional requirements of each species. (Do you know what nutritional supplements both chimpanzees and guinea pigs require? Both need vitamin C added to their diets.) It is important for me to know about physical differences that are not obvious. Anyone can look at a horse and a rat and know that they are very different from each other. But do you know how a rat and a horse are the same? Neither has a gall bladder and neither can vomit.
Every animal has needs. It is my duty to know what each animal's requirements are and ensure that they are provided. Besides proper diet and water, environmental enrichment is very important to the well-being of any animal. Laboratory animals especially need stimulation to prevent boredom. Can you imagine staying in your house all the time with no recreation (TV, radio, video games)?
Things which contribute to the enrichment of the animals' environment can be as simple as the type of bedding use for mice. (Mice like to burrow and build nests.) Placing 2 or more animals of the same species together for companionship is enrichment. (Horses are herd animals and do better with a buddy.) Devices or toys for the animals to manipulate are often used. (Rabbits like to push things around with their noses. We give them balls and small toys which they can not ingest.)
Can you think of ways your family pet's environment is enriched? How about petting and holding. This is extremely important to most animals.
Laboratory animals need to be handled in a kind way, reassuring them that every time they are handled, it is not just to give them an injection or to do a procedure. Petting and caressing the animals often creates a bond between them and the caretaker. Yes, even rats are loved by many. This is very important to understand, because most laboratory animals are euthanized at the end of a project. (In a few cases some animals are available for adoption.)
Imagine the loss you would feel if your family pet had to be euthanized. Frequently, I will form a special bond with one or several laboratory animal/s. I tend to name the animals and not just go by identifying numbers. I pet them and comfort them, and play with those that enjoy playing. I find all the best spots that need rubbed or scratched and watch to see just which toy is their favorite. I watch the rat pups (pinkies before they grow hair) grow and develop personalities. Then the project ends, and I know this animal's end is near. I say good-bye and try to comfort myself with the knowledge that these special creatures have contributed greatly to science.
Perhaps my pigs have lead the way to the prevention of heart disease. Maybe the cats have helped in the discovery of a vaccine. Every time I need medical treatment, I know that I must thank biomedical researchers and laboratory animals for so very much.
My laboratory animals get the best care I can give. I could never own so many pets and have the opportunity to experience the great variety of species which I do by being a laboratory animal technologist.
