Despite the fact that 95 percent of medical centers have moved to human-based training methods, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) continues to use live pigs in their Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) courses. ATLS courses teach medical professionals methods for responding to acute trauma injuries. Many of these training procedures are invasive, causing suffering when performed on live animals.
At Farm Sanctuary, they know that pigs are sensitive, social animals who don’t deserve to be subjected to these cruel and unnecessary procedures. The American College of Surgeons has already approved several non-animal training procedures for these courses, including a human-based simulator called TraumaMan. It’s time that UPMC gets on board with these advancements and stops using pigs in ATLS courses!
You Can Help
Using the form available here, please send a quick message to UPMC Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Marshall Webster, M.D., urging him to extend compassion to animals and end the use of live pigs in ATLS training courses.
For maximum impact, please personalize your message with your own words.
About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the “food animal” industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found on the Farm Sanctuary web site or by calling 607-583-2225.
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