Victory! Iowa Health–Des Moines Ends Use of Animals for Advanced Trauma Life Support Training

For years, medical training instructors have forced animals to suffer through "Advanced Trauma Life Support" (ATLS®) courses, in which students learn how to treat and manage various traumatic injuries that are inflicted on animals.

However, with the development of the TraumaMan®—a state-of-the-art computerized manikin approved by the American College of Surgeons — progressive universities and medical centers are making the compassionate decision to end the use of animals in ATLS® courses in favor of this humane and effective training system.

On July 27, 2005, PETA sent a letter to Iowa Health-Des Moines, asking that it join the likes of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (affiliated with Harvard Medical School) in using the TraumaMan® model instead of animals in ATLS® courses.

On August 3, 2005, Iowa Health sent a gracious reply letter, stating: "... I am pleased to tell you that TraumaMan® will be used in our next ATLS classes which are scheduled for October 13 and 14, 2005. Animals will no longer be used for teaching ATLS at Iowa Health-Des Moines. Thank you again for taking the time to write us and share this important information. At Iowa Health-Des Moines, we are always looking for ways to improve our approach to teaching and TraumaMan® is just such an example."

Upon learning of this decision, PETA immediately sent Iowa Health-Des Moines a letter of thanks, a box of vegan chocolates, and a "2005 Compassion Award" for a job well done!