They disect cats at my school, ones that have also been put to sleep due to sickness/old age and such.

I think it's a good idea for those who want to become Vets. If they can't handle disecting a cat, then I doubt they'd be able to handle the ups and downs of being a Vet.

They also learn alot aobut the cat's (or whichever animal's) insides, obviously.