Ep63 Sally Thompson-Iritani on laboratory animal care, positive interactions, and human wellbeing

<p><strong>Content Warning: This podcast talks about laboratory animals which some listeners may find distressing.</strong></p> <p>Sally Thompson-Iritani is the Interim Director Washington National Primate Research Centre and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Washington. Additionally, she is a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional and a Human-Animal Bond Practitioner.</p> <p>Sally shares with us how her love of animals developed from her love of cats. Despite not being allowed one as a child due to living in a small apartment, she found interacting with them comforting. Through this, Sally’s mum nurtured her understanding of ensuring an animal is provided with all their needs. Sally developed an interest in the care provided to research animals due to her childhood friend's father completing research on mice at a university. This was further developed when she read an article on a neuroscience study that used non-human primates, whereby Sally questioned herself on the methods used to care for these primates. Her mum suggested it could be a possible career choice for Sally.</p> <p>Sally studied a PhD focusing on how the environment can affect foetal development, primarily concentrating on the effects of methylmercury. She conducted this study using the mouse, as foetal development can only be studied in situ.&nbsp; When Sally finished her studies, she worked in a biotechnology company on therapeutics to develop medications and therapies.</p> <p>Sally informs us that many measures put in place to protect animals in research are globally universal. This not only ensures the animals are well cared for, but the study outcomes are reliably repeatable. This is regulated and updated through organisations such as ALAC International.</p> <p>Sabrina and Sally discuss the importance of laboratory animals in developing treatments, and how the resulting outcomes have saved lives. They agree how they are both grateful so aim to improve the welfare of these animals. Sally expands that without laborat