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Unit of competency details

ACMCAS404 - Development enrichment strategies for companion animals (Release 1)

Summary

Usage recommendation:
Superseded
Mapping:
MappingNotesDate
Is superseded by and equivalent to ACMBEH402 - Develop, implement and monitor enrichment strategies for animalsTitle and code updated. Changes to performance criteria for clarity. Assessment requirements updated 12/Apr/2021
Supersedes and is equivalent to ACMCAS404A - Develop enrichment strategies for companion animalsUpdated to meet Standards for Training Packages 28/Nov/2017

Releases:
ReleaseRelease date
1 1 (this release) 29/Nov/2017

Companion volumes:
Unit of competency Assessment requirements

Delivery:
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Training packages that include this unit

Qualifications that include this unit

Accredited courses that have this unit in the completion mapping

Classifications

SchemeCodeClassification value
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 050105 Animal Husbandry  

Classification history

SchemeCodeClassification valueStart dateEnd date
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 050105 Animal Husbandry  29/Nov/2017 
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Unit of competency

Modification History

Release 

Comments 

Release 1

This version released with ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package Version 1.0.

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to develop, implement, monitor and review enrichment strategies for companion animals, and to communicate the strategies to staff members.

This unit applies to individuals working in the animal care industry, where it is necessary to develop and provide enrichment activities for animals in various companion animal sectors, including but not restricted to pet shops, boarding kennels and catteries, dog and cat breeding establishments, veterinary clinics, stables, captive animal establishments and properties on acreage that house companion animals. This unit applies to individuals who analyse information and exercise judgement to complete a range of skilled activities and demonstrate deep knowledge in a specific technical area. They have accountability for the work of others and analyse, design and communicate solutions to a range of complex problems.

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

NOTE: The terms 'occupational health and safety' (OHS) and 'work health and safety' (WHS) generally have the same meaning in the workplace. In jurisdictions where the national model WHS legislation has not been implemented, RTOs must contextualise the unit of competency by referring to current OHS legislative requirements.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Unit Sector

Companion Animal Sector (CAS)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements 

Performance Criteria 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Develop enrichment strategies

1.1 Conduct research and consultation to determine appropriate strategies for particular animals and breeds

1.2 Develop enrichment strategies against known animal behaviour and traits

1.3 Incorporate animal welfare and WHS requirements into strategies as appropriate

1.4 Develop organisational procedures for enrichment according to the profile of animals

1.5 Align behavioural management budget allocation to short-term and longer-term strategies

2. Implement enrichment programs

2.1 Communicate enrichment strategies and procedures to staff, and provide training as necessary

2.2 Adjust animal husbandry regimes to incorporate enrichment strategies

2.3 Provide assistance to staff in implementing physical, social and food-related enrichment programs appropriate to the target species

2.4 Supervise staff members providing enrichment to animals according to workplace policies and procedures

2.5 Assess short-term management of animals exhibiting undesirable behaviour, and implement corrections

3. Monitor and review enrichment strategies

3.1 Monitor responses to implementation of enrichment strategy to determine their effects on animals, and document

3.2 Investigate and evaluate adverse consequences to an enrichment strategy

3.3 Collate enrichment program modification suggestions in consultation with staff, and implement where appropriate

3.4 Update short-term and longer-term enrichment strategies in line with review findings, and document

3.5 Align organisation behavioural management budget allocation to reviewed and updated strategies

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.

Skill 

Description 

Oral communication
  • Consult with experts about companion animal behaviours and appropriate methods of enrichment for those breeds
  • Explain strategies and procedures to staff and engage their cooperation

Reading
  • Research texts about breeds and their behaviours

Unit Mapping Information

Code and title current version 

Code and title previous version 

Comments 

Equivalence status 

ACMCAS404 Develop enrichment strategies for companion animals

ACMCAS404A Develop enrichment strategies for companion animals

Updated to meet Standards for Training Packages

Equivalent unit

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

Release 

Comments 

Release 1

This version released with ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package Version 1.0.

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 developed enrichment strategies for at least three companion animals, including:

  • communicated enrichment strategies to staff, providing training and supervision of implementation
  • maintained records of enrichment strategies
  • modified behaviour enrichment programs as required
  • observed animals and documented and reported behaviour and feeding patterns.

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:

  • a variety of physical, social and food-related enrichment activities
  • common indicators of the presence of disease, injury, compromised health or distress in animals
  • communication procedures and systems, and technology relevant to the organisation and own work responsibilities
  • companion animal husbandry regimes
  • disinfectants, cleaning agents, cleaning techniques and cleaning equipment and materials used in a companion animal workplace
  • health and behavioural signs and patterns, including desirable and undesirable features using industry standard terminology
  • housing, exercise, social and activity needs of animals
  • indicators of stress and wellbeing in animals
  • methods of rectifying and modifying animal behaviour patterns
  • natural animal behaviour relating to the characteristics of the species, age, health status and social needs
  • normal and abnormal behaviour patterns and traits of commonly held animals
  • safe animal handling techniques
  • safe work practices
  • species compatibility
  • standards, guidelines and approaches to environmental sustainability relevant to the animal care industry
  • animal welfare and ethics
  • the signs, behaviour and objective measures of development in young animals
  • waste management strategies
  • WHS and animal welfare legislative requirements and codes of practice.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of skills must take place under the following conditions:

  • physical conditions:
  • skills must be demonstrated in a workplace setting or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions
  • resources, equipment and materials:
  • live companion animals
  • housing for companion animals
  • resources to implement enrichment strategies.

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

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