WICHITA, Kan. – Wichita Area Technical College will become the first veterinary technician teaching program in the nation to begin using the SynDaver Synthetic Canine, SynDaver Labs announced Monday.
Veterinary Technology students at WATC will begin using the Synthetic Canine during the 2017 spring semester. The SynDaver Synthetic Canine was developed by SynDaver Labs in Tampa and offers students a realistic alternative to live animals for training purposes.
“The Veterinary Technology program at WATC is ecstatic to have the first SynDaver Synthetic Canine in the state,” said Amanda Hackerott RVT Program Director – Veterinary Technology. “The SynDaver Canine is an amazingly unique piece of health-science technology and it is only fitting that the largest technical school in Kansas has it.”
The SynDaver Synthetic Canine is made of water, fiber and salt, just like a real animal. It is designed to replace live animals and animal cadavers in veterinary medicine training.
The SynDaver can breathe and bleed just like a real dog. It has individual muscles, bones, and organs. Additionally, she can be operated on repeatedly without any risk to a live animal. The USDA mandates that every attempt is made to reduce, refine or replace live animal use.
By using the SynDaver Synthetic Canine, Veterinary Technology students at WATC will be provided hands-on experience without being exposed to carcinogenic formaldehyde used to preserve dead animals. Additionally, in the past when a live animal is used in training, there is a limit to how many procedures one student can perform. With the SynDaver, there is no limit per procedure; all students will be able to practice skills as much as necessary without violating USDA regulations.
Students will also be able to practice invasive procedures that would not be as practical to perform on a live animal. This broad scope of practice while in school will help to prepare WATC students to become leaders in the veterinary medical industry.
“We’re proud to be able to make a product, which is not only going to immediately save animal lives by replacing them in training, but it will also help to train those individuals who will be responsible for saving more animal lives in the future,” said Dr. Christopher Sakezles, founder of SynDaver Labs.
About SynDaver Labs
SynDaver Labs manufactures synthetic humans for training in schools, hospitals and military installations. SynDaver has the world’s largest database of live-tissue properties and all SynDaver tissues are made from water, salts, and fibers. The company currently has 10 patents on these materials, processes, and related products. SynDaver Labs is headquartered in Tampa, Florida and employs nearly 100 people. The company also has an advanced research facility located in Phoenix, Arizona and is planning additional facilities in the U.S., China, Europe, and Latin America.
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