On October 13, 2026, Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine announced the discontinuation of its elective large animal terminal surgery course—ending terminal teaching labs throughout its veterinary curriculum!

Beagle Freedom Project led the public pressure campaign, after being alerted to this by brave veterinary student, Larrea Cottingham who spoke up against this inhumane and archaic practice, calling on WSU to end these terminal teaching procedures, mobilizing our community to email and call the university and demand change. This victory builds decades of student advocacy and the efforts of veterinarians and fellow animal advocates.

Last spring, BFP rallied supporters to speak out for the horses slated for terminal procedures—labs in which anesthetized animals underwent procedures and were then killed rather than allowed to recover.

The horse labs were canceled, but approximately 60 goats were reportedly still slated for terminal teaching procedures in spring 2027. Now, with the entire course discontinued, those planned procedures will no longer take place.

This is an important step toward modernizing veterinary education, and other schools have demonstrated humane alternatives for decades.

Tufts University eliminated its terminal laboratory in 1994. In 2003, UC Davis announced the discontinuation of its terminal-surgery elective, with a replacement course beginning in 2004 that provided needed surgical care to shelter dogs and cats.

WSU says it will expand community-based large animal clinical services, giving students hands-on experience while helping improve access to veterinary care.

At Beagle Freedom Project, we support a future where students develop essential surgical skills by treating animals who need care under the supervision of experienced veterinarians, alongside training with models and simulations. From shelters to underserved communities, these opportunities can prepare future veterinarians while improving animals’ lives.

To everyone in our BFP community who answered our call to action by emailing and calling WSU—your voices helped turn public pressure into progress. Thank you to the students, veterinarians, and fellow advocates who kept pushing for change and helped make this victory possible.

Let’s keep working toward a future where every veterinary school makes compassionate, modern training the standard. ️

Donate today to fuel BFP’s efforts to make the world a kind, safe place for animals.