Table 1. Order of the topics in the practical session. Mice techniques are taught first, rats and rabbits are discussed afterwards

1

Teaching normal behaviors of animals

SP, D

√

√

√

2

Practicing normal behaviors of animals

HT

√

√

×

3

Animals marking

HT

√

√

×

4

Teaching animal handling, sexing, restraining, and heterospecific play (only rats)

SP, D

√

√

√

5

Practicing animal handling, sexing, restraining, and heterospecific play (only rats)

HT

√

√

×

6

Giving rest and treats to animals

HT

√

√

√

7

Teaching dose calculation and effects of selected medications

WT

×

×

×

8

Teaching syringe handling

D

×

×

×

9

Practicing syringe handling on silicone egg shaped grip balls

HT

×

×

×

10

Teaching subcutaneous injection

SP

√

√

√

11

Teaching intraperitoneal injection

SP

√

√

×

12

Teaching intramuscular injection

SP

×

√

√

13

Practicing subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, and intramuscular (rats) injections using blunt needles

HT

√

√

×

14

Giving treats to animals

HT

√

√

√

15

Teaching oral gavage

SP

√

√

×

16

Teaching venous access techniques

SP

√

√

√

17

Practicing venous access techniques on injection pads

HT

×

×

×

18

Teaching simple techniques of managing anesthesia and analgesia

SP

√

×

×

19

Medication assignment to groups and dose calculation

HT

√

×

×

20

Anesthesia and analgesia given to two animals in each group

HT

√

×

×

21

Practicing the management of anesthesia and analgesia

HT

√

×

×

22

Practicing tail vein access

HT

√

×

×