All personnel must complete animal training before participating in any research project. Training is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of animals, researchers, staff, and yourself. For all training-related inquiries, please contact the training office at training@uoguelph.ca.
Before Registering for Any Workshop
Please ensure that you have completed the following steps:
Required Prerequisites
- Completed the Animal User Training Compulsory Core Modules,
- Logged into the online AUP system to ensure your profile is updated with your current training records (including the Core modules). This is important so your Principal Investigator (PI) can locate your name and add you to the appropriate AUP.
- Confirmed that you are listed under relevant procedures on your AUP.
How to Register
Once you have completed these tasks, email the training office at training@uoguelph.ca with the following information:
- Have you completed the compulsory Core Modules? If yes, please provide your cohort number.
- Whtat AUP number(s) are you listed on? (If you are unsure, please confirm with your supervisor).
- What specific procedures you will be performing, and what is your previous experience?
- What is your level of study at the University of Guelph (Undergraduate, Graduate, Postdoctoral, Other)?
- When will your research project begin, and when do you expect to start working with live animals?
- Which facility will you be working in, and have you completed your facility orientation?
Important: Your PI must be copied on this email.
Training Courses Offered
Below is an overview of the available training workshops, listed from introductory to advanced:
Core Workshops
- Workshop A – Species-Specific Handling
- Workshop B – Protocol-Specific Procedures (must be completed after Workshop A)
Facility Orientation
- Introduction to your assigned facility
- Includes instructions for obtaining key-card access
Advanced Training
- Rodent Surgery – Rat or mouse
- Rodent Anesthesia – Rat or mouse
- Mouse Breeding – Techniques for maintaining mouse colonies
- Mentor-Facilitated Training (MFT) – Invasive procedures not covered in workshops, conducted with a qualified trainer (e.g., certified technician, veterinarian, PI)
-
Skill Certification – Required to validate surgery or anesthesia skills. Certification is completed with a
certified ACS veterinarian or, if preferred, the instructor of your original workshop.
Note: Rodent workshops (A, B, Anesthesia, Surgery) include a 1.5-hour online lecture available on their respective CourseLink sites. All lectures must be completed before attending the practical session.
Workshop Schedule
A full schedule for workshops for the Summer 2026 semester is available below. Dates may be adjusted based on student demand and research requirements.
| Workshop Name | Date (2026) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Facility Orientation – Animal Biosciences (ABSc) |
|
2:30 - 3:30 |
| Facility Orientation – Central Animal Facility (CAF) |
|
9:30 – 11:00 |
| Facility Orientation – Human Health Sciences (HHS) |
|
1:00 – 2:30 |
| Facility Orientation – Production Animal Isolation Facility (PAIF) |
|
10:00 - 11:30 |
| Mouse A – Handling & Restraint |
|
Tues. 1:30 – 3:00 Thurs. 10:30 – 12:00 |
| Mouse B – Procedures, IP & SQ Injections |
|
Tues. 1:30 – 3:00 Thurs. 10:30 – 12:00 |
| Rat A – Handling & Restraint |
|
Tues. 1:30 – 3:00 Thurs. 10:30 – 12:00 |
| Rat B – Procedures, IP & SQ Injections |
|
Tues. 1:30 – 3:00 Thurs. 10:30 – 12:00 |
|
Anesthesia Asynchronous lecture to be completed before practical. Available via Courselink. |
|
10:00 – 1:00 |
|
Surgery Asynchronous lecture to be completed before practical. Available via Courselink. |
|
10:30 – 12:30 |
| Rodent Breeding | Training is offered on an ‘as needed’ basis. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details | N/A |
| Poultry A – Handling & Facility Orientation |
|
9:00 - 10:30 |
| Poultry B - Procedures |
|
9:00 - 10:30 |
| Swine A – Handling & Facility Orientation | Training is offered on an ‘as needed’ basis. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details | N/A |
| Swine B – Procedures | Training is offered on an ‘as needed’ basis. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Cattle Workshop and Facility Orientation | Training is offered on an ‘as needed’ basis. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Sheep Workshop and Facility Orientation | Training is offered on an ‘as needed’ basis. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Horse Workshop | Training is offered on an ‘as needed’ basis. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Workshop Name | Date (2025) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation – Animal Biosciences (ABSc) | Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more detauks | TBA |
| Orientation – Central Animal Facility (CAF) |
|
9:30 – 11:00 |
| Orientation – Human Health and Nutritional Sciences (HHNS) |
|
1:00 – 2:30 |
| Orientation – Production Animal Isolation Facility (ISO) |
|
10:00 - 11:30 |
| Mouse A – Handling & Restraint |
|
Tues. 1:30 – 3:00 Thurs. 10:30 – 12:00 |
| Mouse B – Procedures, IP & SQ Injections |
|
Tues. 1:30 – 3:00 Thurs. 10:30 – 12:00 |
| Rat A – Handling & Restraint |
|
Tues. 1:30 – 3:00 Thurs. 10:30 – 12:00 |
| Rat B – Procedures, IP & SQ Injections |
|
Tues. 1:30 – 3:00 Thurs. 10:30 – 12:00 |
|
Anesthesia Asynchronous lecture to be completed before practical. Available via Courselink. |
|
10:00 – 1:00 |
|
Surgery Asynchronous lecture to be completed before practical. Available via Courselink. |
|
10:30 – 12:30 |
| Rodent Breeding | Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Poultry A – Handling & Orientation to Arkell Poultry Unit | Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Poultry B - Procedures (blood collection, injections, and/or administration by gavage) | Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Swine A – Handling & Orientation to Arkell Swine Unit |
Scheduled workshop dates TBC. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. |
N/A |
| Swine B – Procedures | Training is offered on an ‘as needed’ basis. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Cattle Workshop and Orientation to Elora Dairy Research and Innovation Centre | Training is offered on an ‘as needed’ basis. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Sheep Workshop and Orientation to Ponsonby Sheep Unit | Training is offered on an ‘as needed’ basis. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Horse Workshop | Training is offered on an ‘as needed’ basis. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Workshop Name | Date (2025) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation – Animal Biosciences (ABSc) |
|
2:30 – 3:30 |
| Orientation – Central Animal Facility (CAF) |
|
9:30 – 11:00 |
| Orientation – Human Health and Nutritional Sciences (HHNS) |
|
1:00 – 2:30 |
| Orientation – Production Animal Isolation Facility (ISO) |
|
10:30 – 12:00 |
|
Mouse A – Handling & Restraint Asynchronous lecture to be completed before practical. Available via Courselink. |
|
Tues. 1:30 – 3:00 Thurs. 10:30 – 12:00 |
|
Mouse B – Procedures, IP & SQ Injections Asynchronous lecture to be completed before practical. Available via Courselink. |
|
Tues. 1:30 – 3:00 Thurs. 10:30 – 12:00 |
|
Rat A – Handling & Restraint Asynchronous lecture to be completed before practical. Available via Courselink. |
|
Tues. 1:30 – 3:00 Thurs. 10:30 – 12:00 |
|
Rat B – Procedures, IP & SQ Injections Asynchronous lecture to be completed before practical. Available via Courselink. |
|
Tues. 1:30 – 3:00 Thurs. 10:30 – 12:00 |
|
Anesthesia Asynchronous lecture to be completed before practical. Available via Courselink. |
|
10:00 – 1:00 |
|
Surgery Asynchronous lecture to be completed before practical. Available via Courselink. |
|
10:30 – 12:30 |
|
Stereotaxic Surgery Asynchronous lecture to be completed before practical. Available via Courselink. |
Training is offered on an ‘as needed’ basis. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Mouse Breeding Colony Workshop | Training is offered on an ‘as needed’ basis. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Poultry A – Handling & Orientation to Arkell Poultry Unit |
|
N/A |
| Poultry B – Procedures (blood collection, injections, and/or administration by gavage) |
|
N/A |
| Swine A – Handling & Orientation to Arkell Swine Unit | Scheduled workshop dates TBD. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Swine B – Procedures | Training is offered on an ‘as needed’ basis. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Cattle Workshop and Orientation to Elora Dairy Research and Innovation Centre | Training is offered on an ‘as needed’ basis. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Sheep Workshop and Orientation to Ponsonby Sheep Unit | Training is offered on an ‘as needed’ basis. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Horse Workshop | Training is offered on an ‘as needed’ basis. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Workshop Name | Date (2025) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation – Animal Biosciences (ABSc) | Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | TBA |
| Orientation – Central Animal Facility (CAF) |
|
9:30 – 11:00 |
| Orientation – Human Health and Nutritional Sciences (HHNS) |
|
1:00 – 2:30 |
| Orientation – Production Animal Isolation Facility (ISO) |
|
10:30 – 12:00 |
| Mouse A – Handling & Restraint |
|
Tues. 1:30 – 3:00 Wed. 10:30 – 12:00 Thurs. 10:30 – 12:00 |
| Mouse B – Procedures, IP & SQ Injections |
|
Tues. 1:30 – 3:00 Wed. 10:30 – 12:00 Thurs. 10:30 – 12:00 |
| Rat A – Handling & Restraint |
|
Tues. 1:30 – 3:00 Thurs. 10:30 – 12:00 |
| Rat B – Procedures, IP & SQ Injections |
|
Tues. 1:30 – 3:00 Thurs. 10:30 – 12:00 |
|
Rodent – Inhalant Anesthesia Asynchronous lecture to be completed before practical. Available via Courselink. |
|
10:30 – 1:00 |
|
Rodent – Surgical Principles Asynchronous lecture to be completed before practical. Available via Courselink. |
|
10:30 – 12:30 |
| Poultry A – Handling & Orientation to Arkell Poultry Unit | Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Poultry B – Procedures (blood collection, injections, and/or administration by gavage) | Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Swine A – Handling & Orientation to Elora Swine Research Centre | Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Swine B – Procedures | Training is offered on an ‘as needed’ basis. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Cattle Workshop and Orientation to Elora Dairy Research and Innovation Centre | Training is offered on an ‘as needed’ basis. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Sheep Workshop and Orientation to Ponsonby Sheep Unit | Training is offered on an ‘as needed’ basis. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Horse Workshop | Training is offered on an ‘as needed’ basis. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Workshop Name | Date (2025) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation – Animal Biosciences (ABSc) |
|
2:30 – 3:30 |
| Orientation – Central Animal Facility (CAF) |
|
9:30 – 11:00 |
| Orientation – Human Health and Nutritional Sciences (HHNS) |
|
1:00 – 2:30 |
| Orientation – Production Animal Isolation Facility (ISO) |
|
10:30 – 12:00 |
| Mouse A – Handling & Restraint |
|
Tues. 1:30 – 3:00 Thurs. 10:30 – 12:00 |
| Mouse B – Procedures, IP & SQ Injections |
|
Tues. 1:30 – 3:00 Thurs. 10:30 – 12:00 |
| Rat A – Handling & Restraint |
|
Tues. 1:30 – 3:00 Thurs. 10:30 – 12:00 |
| Rat B – Procedures, IP & SQ Injections |
|
Tues. 1:30 – 3:00 Thurs. 10:30 – 12:00 |
|
Anesthesia Asynchronous lecture to be completed before practical. Available via Courselink. |
|
10:00 – 1:00 |
|
Surgery Asynchronous lecture to be completed before practical. Available via Courselink. |
|
10:30 – 12:30 |
| Stereotaxic Surgery | Training is offered on an ‘as needed’ basis. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Poultry A – Handling & Orientation to Arkell Poultry Unit | Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Poultry B – Procedures (blood collection, injections, and/or administration by gavage) | Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Swine A – Handling & Orientation to Arkell Swine Unit |
Scheduled workshop dates TBC. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. |
N/A |
| Swine B – Procedures | Training is offered on an ‘as needed’ basis. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Cattle Workshop and Orientation to Elora Dairy Research and Innovation Centre | Training is offered on an ‘as needed’ basis. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Sheep Workshop and Orientation to Ponsonby Sheep Unit | Training is offered on an ‘as needed’ basis. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
| Horse Workshop | Training is offered on an ‘as needed’ basis. Please contact training@uoguelph.ca for more details. | N/A |
