New technologies in polymer chemistry and computer graphics have made it possible to reduce the number of animals needed for effective teaching at the School of Veterinary Medicine. Malleable "plastinated" animal parts coordinated with more than 80 interactive computer programs are one of the newest options.

Currently, students are given copies of the interactive computer programs or they can access the network from home, which gives them opportunities to study slides or specimens they would previously have been exposed to just once in a lab class.

Students will soon be able to practice CPR on "Re-sus-A-Dog," a more advanced canine under development by Harold Davis, animal health technician in the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Also on the way are electronically controlled animal mannequins that will be linked to a computer that can simulate symptoms.

(Neil Michel/Axiom Photo)