Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to work in the animal-assisted services sector. It includes a broad knowledge of a range of disabilities and special needs, types of animal-assisted services to support those needs, and relevant legislative and industry requirements.

This unit applies to individuals who provide information and advice about animal-assisted services. They work autonomously and apply specialist knowledge and skills to provide solutions for predictable and unpredictable problems.

All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures according to Commonwealth and state/territory health and safety and animal welfare regulations, legislation and standards that apply to the workplace.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Unit Sector

Animal-Assisted Services (AAS)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.

Unit Mapping Information

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b75f4b23-54c9-4cc9-a5db-d3502d154103

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has:

• researched information about three specific disabilities or special needs that can be supported through animal-assisted services. Three of the following categories must be covered:

• physical and/or sensory (visual/hearing) support
• health care/medical support
• mental health support
• learning support
• special need related to companionship and wellbeing

• contributed to planning an animal-assisted service or activity, relevant to one of the following:

• animal-assisted therapy – involving a qualified medical or allied health worker
• animal-assisted learning – involving a learning professional
• animal-assisted activities – involving visitation service to a facility
• assistance animal – involving an individual with a disability

• used effective and inclusive communication strategies appropriate to the participant or stakeholder when providing information on animal-assisted services.

Knowledge Evidence

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

• key requirements of current legislation and organisational policies and procedures relevant to animal-assisted services, including:

• Australian Disability Discrimination Act and persons covered by the Act
• National Disability Insurance Scheme Act and Code of Conduct, and disabilities covered by the scheme and Code
• functions of the Australian Human Rights Commission related to disabilities
• privacy, confidentiality and client consent requirements
• health and safety, including hygiene and infection control
• police and working with children and vulnerable people checks
• first aid and mental health first aid accreditation

• key requirements of state/territory legislative and regulatory requirements, including for:

• animal-assisted service providers
• assistance animal training, assessment and accreditation

• codes of conduct and ethics relevant to sector, including:

• allied health professional codes and ethics
• current codes of conduct for animal-assisted services

• service provider/practitioner requirements relating to client engagement, safety, animal welfare, reporting, client confidentiality, privacy and consent procedures
• relevant stakeholders, including:

• participants – individual with disability or special need
• family members, carers
• practitioners – medical, health/allied health professionals; teachers/learning specialists and/or case workers
• animal handler/trainer

• range of organisations supporting people with animal-assisted services, including National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), Department of Veterans’ Affairs, charities and not-for-profit organisations
• types of disabilities and/or special needs of individuals that can be supported through animal-assisted services, including:

• physical, sensory (hearing/visual) support
• health care/medical support
• mental health support
• learning support
• special needs related to companionship and wellbeing 

• types of animal-assisted support services, including:

• animal-assisted therapy – involving qualified medical or allied health workers
• animal-assisted learning – involving learning professionals
• animal-assisted activities – involving visitation services to a range of facilities
• assistance animals – involving individual owner-animal handlers with disabilities

• key features of species commonly used in animal-assisted services
• key features and requirements of animals used in animal-assisted services (species-specific), including:

• behaviour and types of activities animals can be trained to carry out
• basic husbandry care
• animal health and hygiene requirements
• humane and low stress handling techniques
• animal welfare and wellbeing requirements, including concept of One Health

• requirements for assistance animals, including:

• legal definition – Australian Disability Discrimination Act
• public access test and accreditation requirements for relevant state/territory jurisdiction

• fundamentals of human-animal bond, including:

• benefits and costs to humans and animals

• influence of cultural or religious beliefs, health issues or personal preferences.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:

• physical conditions:

• a workplace or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions

• specifications:

• relevant legislation, codes of conduct and organisational procedures
• animal welfare and wellbeing requirements, including One Health

• relationships:

• individual or stakeholder communicated with as part of the performance evidence.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b75f4b23-54c9-4cc9-a5db-d3502d154103