CARES Fund Helps Research Animals and their Caregivers

Madison, Wisconsin - Healthy research animals are essential to maintaining quality research.

One important way to maintain a healthy and safe research environment for animals is for researchers to work with well-trained animal research technicians.

The Caring for Animals in Research Employee Scholarship (CARES) program works to help these technicians advance their careers and to receive the best training possible by helping them study for and take the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification exam.

This exam costs $155 with an additional processing fee of $75, making it difficult for many technicians to afford. The examination allows the technicians to receive their ALAT certification, leading to a professional environment with knowledgeable staff that can provide better care for the research animals.

"The scholarship was set up to help the animal research technicians take the exam for free," says Kristi Hall, training coordinator for laboratory animal resources in the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. "Any caretaker who passes an AALAS exam receives a $1-an-hour pay raise."

Hall says that certified employees benefit the organization with their increased knowledge, professionalism, and contributions to the research efforts of scientists and high-level care of the research animals.

"The technicians are learning basic animal care techniques, husbandry requirements, biohazard safety and more," said Hall. "It benefits the research program as a whole if money is donated to the CARES fund as it will provide the animals with better care."