For the inexperienced individual, learning surgical techniques can be taxing. The authors developed a rodent surgery dry lab training program to assist educational and research institutions in providing low-stress training for basic surgical techniques using handmade, cost-effective simulation models. The program not only helps students develop essential skills in basic surgery, but also fulfills the mandate of the 3Rs by allowing students to repeatedly practice and refine their skills on models rather than live animals. This type of training is a valuable tool in bridging the gap between computer training and training with live animals.