“Alternative is the way to go,” said Christopher Patterson, a local veterinarian, during his hourlong lecture on “Animal Usage in Veterinary Education.” And he was not talking about his music preference.
During the speech, Patterson, who last week visited the Monroe Park campus, offered students and faculty a glimpse of his experiences while attending the veterinary-medicine school on St. Kitts, an island state in the West Indes also known as St. Christopher.
As part of his veterinary education, Patterson, who received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Virginia Commonwealth University, performed surgeries on animals strictly used for medical research. He then euthanized the animals when they were no longer needed.
While in veterinary school, Patterson said, he became sensitive to animal rights because he thought that it was unnecessary for so many animals to die even if it furthered his education.
“I understand that the needs of many outweigh the needs of the few,” Patterson said. “I just feel that too many animals were used that did not have to sacrifice their lives.”
Although Patterson, who now works at the Three Chopt Animal Clinic, said even though he questioned the use of so many animals, his experience with a sheep named Abbo completely changed his mind.
Patterson convinced his professor to let him take Abbo home after performing the first of four surgeries on the sheep. While Abbo lived with him, Patterson said, he became attached to the animal.
“He had as much personality as any dog,” he said.
At the end of the semester, Patterson and his laboratory partners performed terminal surgery on Abbo.
“That was one of my biggest regrets,” said Patterson with a slight twinge in his voice. “I feel he’s an animal that I failed.”
After describing that experience, the speaker told the audience that he knew he had to stand up for his beliefs.
“If an M.D. student can go through their education without taking a person’s life, then why can’t a veterinary student go through their education without taking an animal’s life?” Patterson asked. “I believe we can prevent animal suffering by alternative education.”
He cited such alternatives as ethical-consent cadavers, detailed diagrams, models, computer simulations and supervised clinical experience.
“The best way to learn is from another vet,” Patterson said. “I learned the most while I was in clinical rotation.”
Nonetheless, the veterinarian said alternative forms of education not only concerns his ethical beliefs, but he also views euthanizing animals as having a psychological impact on students.
“Getting schools to change their policies is student-driven,” Patterson said because bringing about change is not easy. “In most instances the faculty will try to change your mind.”
Some changes, such as the newly effective policy for Virginia’s public schools, already are underway in the Virginia General Assembly.
A bill introduced by Delegate James H. Dillard II, R-Fairfax County, and passed by the 2004 Virginia General Assembly in April, calls for local-school divisions to provide students with alternatives to animal-dissection techniques within relevant public-school curriculum or course.
Laura Duval, 22, a senior biology student who attended Patterson’s presentation concurred with this legislative decision.
“If computer programs and models can give you the same knowledge, then they should be used instead of killing animals,” she said. “I did not realize how many animals are used (in veterinary education).”
This was the first time Patterson, a 1993 VCU graduate, has lectured at VCU, but he said he hopes to give more talks at his alma mater and at other universities in Virginia and elsewhere.