Unit of competency details

Descriptor 

This unit aims to describe the competencies required to monitor dog health and dog population in the community and develop the necessary strategies and plans to address issues that may be of concern

Application 

Working in compliance with relevant legislation and regulations within which the worker's organisation operates is essential

Employability Skills 

This unit contains Employability Skills

Elements define the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

The Performance Criteria specify the level of performance required to demonstrate achievement of the Element. Terms in italics are elaborated in the Range Statement.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Monitor dog health and dog population in the community

1.1 Discuss benefits of conducting a dog profile  with the community, and seek approval

1.2 Gather information on the health, population and condition of dogs in accordance with job role

1.3 Report nature and extent of problem(s) in accordance with organisation guidelines and procedures

2. Develop a dog health and/or dog population control plan

2.1 Discuss strategies  in relation to dog health and population control with the organisation, community and relevant others to determine the best course of action, and preferred option(s)

2.2 Analyse preferred option(s) within job role, and discuss with supervisor to determine feasibility in relation to any obstacles that may exist

2.3 Establish a feasible plan of action in conjunction with the organisation, community and relevant others

2.4 Recognise and demonstrate understanding of roles and responsibilities of organisation, worker, the community and other key people and/or outside agencies in relation to the plan

2.5 Contribute to the coordination of the plan in accordance with job role

3. Implement plan

3.1 Assist community, organisation and relevant key people with delivery of a dog health and/or population control program in accordance with the plan

3.2 Record results in relation to the implementation of the plan in accordance with organisation policies and procedures

3.3 Implement follow up measures as required

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Essential knowledge :

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes knowledge of:

• Advantages/disadvantages and obstacles in relation to various strategies
• Cultural issues which may impact on strategies, e.g. dog dreaming
• Points of contact
• The roles and responsibilities of the worker, community, dog owner, organisation and other key people or specialists in the implementation of the plan
• Traditional and non traditional responsibilities and benefits of owning a dog
• All work needs to reflect knowledge of the common dog diseases that can make a dog unhealthy, including:

• flea infestation
• tick infestation
• worm infestation
• infected sores or wounds
• mange
• eye and ear infections
• ringworm infection
• hydatid tapeworm infection
• hookworm infection

• All work needs to reflect an understanding of the factors that can lead or contribute to dogs becoming unhealthy, including:

• hungry dogs
• too many dogs
• dogs whose nutritional requirements are not met
• dogs that are not properly groomed and checked regularly for conditions such as fleas, ticks, ringworms, sores, wounds etc.
• dogs that are not treated for conditions that may cause infection and affect their health
• dogs without access to clean/dry shelter
• dogs that are not wormed and immunised

continued  ...

Essential knowledge  (contd ):

• All work needs to reflect consideration and understanding of potential health issues in relation to dog population and health, e.g.:

• secondary injury as a result of bites from aggressive dogs
• potential disease risks and infections from dog bites, e.g. tetanus
• people giving food to dogs and going without themselves
• dogs as vectors or carriers of disease, e.g. dog plays in sewage waste and then plays or licks children
• allergies due to dog mange causing or contributing to skin disease
• gastrointestinal infections
• roundworm and hookworm larval migration
• worker needs to know points of contact in order to be able to obtain information on strategies in relation to dog health and population control

Essential skills :

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes the ability to:

• Apply analytical and problem solving skills in order to determine the best course of action and preferred options
• Apply communication skills, both internally within the community and externally to relevant others as required
• Apply data collection skills as related to collecting information on the health, population and condition of dogs
• Apply organisation skills in relation to the coordination and implementation of the planned strategies
• Basic reading skills may be required in relation to obtaining information from books or other resources which are not in the worker's first language
• Collaborate effectively with dog owners and members of the community in order to gain their support and approval to monitor dog health and population in the community
• Consult with dog owners/community members as required
• Demonstrate safe work practices and procedures - if handling dogs and/or drugs as part of the plan
• Effectively network and communicate with the employing organisation, householders, community members, veterinarians , EHOs, key people and outside agencies
• Maintain and access effective networks which contribute to the achievement of objectives
• Negotiate options with dog owners/community members as is necessary
• Take into account opportunities to address waste minimisation, environmental responsibility and sustainable practice issues
• Use phone/fax

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit :

• The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
• Collaborative approach from the organisation, community, dog owners, indigenous environmental health workers, environmental health officers, and other key people/specialists in order to implement the plan effectively
• Competency must be assessed in relation to the strategies which the community has chosen to be implemented as part of the plan
• Consistency in performance should consider the nature and extent of problems in relation to dog health/population
• Consistency in performance should consider wide range of strategies in relation to the management of dog health and/or population
• Cultural activities should also be taken into consideration, i.e. people leaving the community with their dogs to visit relatives in other communities, or to attend sporting events, football carnivals etc.
• As a result of these possible contingencies, this unit needs to be assessed on more than one occasion and is best assessed over a period of time in order to monitor the success of the strategy(s) implemented as part of the plan

Access and equity considerations :

• All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
• All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
• In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Context of and specific resources for assessment :

• This unit is best assessed on the job
• The identification of strategies in relation to dog health can be assessed both on or off the job
• Access required to:

• a phone/fax (to assess competency in networking and liaising with veterinarians, environmental health officers, and other specialists/experts)
• equipment and supplies in accordance with the strategy(s) to be implemented, and job role (to assess competency in delivery of a dog health and population control program)
• books and resources if required

Note :

• The worker will receive training/written approval from a veterinarian, Environmental Health Officers, or other people qualified to administer schedule 4 drugs, i.e. Ivomec during this unit
• This can then be given to the poisons registrar to enable them to obtain Ivomec, and deliver follow up procedures for the Ivomec program on their own

RANGE STATEMENT 

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Dog profile refers to :

• Information gathered on the health, population and condition of dogs

Benefits of conducting a dog profile may be :

• To give an overall picture of a situation, and keep the community informed
• To assist with the development of strategies to address dog health issues in the community
• To maintain the health of the dogs
• To prevent the spread of infection

Information gathered may include :

• The number of dogs in each household/the community
• Unhealthy/diseased and under-nourished dogs
• Rogue or problem dogs
• Dumped dogs

Reporting may include any number of the following range of variables :

• Verbal in either first language or English
• Written checklists/data collection in either first language or English, i.e. counting the number of dogs, sick dogs, undernourished dogs, etc. The numerical language chosen will be dependant upon the target group and whether or not the information gathered is to remain internally within the community or reported externally to other key people and outside agencies
• Written notes in either first language or English
• Photos of the condition/population of dogs in the community
• Video recording the condition/population of dogs in the community

Information may be obtained from :

• Veterinarians
• Aboriginal Health Workers
• Environmental Health Officers
• Other specialists/experts
• Books/resources if required

Strategies may include :

• Informing dog owners/community about various strategies in relation to caring for dogs, e.g. nutritional food sources, the provision of clean/dry shelter, checking dogs for fleas, ticks, wounds, sores, mange, eye and ear infections, immunising and worming dogs, washing dogs, seeking help and support for sick dogs, etc.
• Reducing the number of internal and external parasites, e.g. Dog Ivomec program
• Dog sterilisation/contraception, e.g. Covinan to control population
• Putting dogs down/euthanasia, e.g. Lethobarb, or by shooting

Informing dog owners /community about various strategies in relation to caring for dogs 

Advantages may include :

• Community control
• Healthier and happier dogs in the community
• Reduces the possibility of aggression and dog bites
• Limits the spread of infection

Disadvantages may include :

• Increased dog breeding rates as a result of improved health

Obstacles may include :

• Cultural issues in relation to dog ownership
• Inability to be able to afford to buy the necessary items to keep dogs healthy, e.g. nutritional food, medicated creams, eye and ear drops, worming tablets etc.
• Inability to gain access to veterinarians when required as a result of remoteness

Dog program to reduce the number of internal and external parasites , i .e . Ivomec 

Advantages may include :

• Healthier and happier dogs in the community
• Limits the spread of infection

Disadvantages may include :

• Increased dog breeding rates due to improved health
• More competition and aggression between male dogs for female dogs in the community, leading to an increased number of dog wounds, and the possibility of wounds becoming infected

Obstacles may include :

• Gaining access to Ivomec and the equipment needed to run a dog Ivomec program
• Needs to be ongoing, approximately every 3 month

Dog sterilisation  (spays castration )/contraception , i .e .: Covinan to control population 

Advantages may include :

• Controls the dog population
• Avoids multiple litters
• Avoids disposal of unwanted/excessive numbers of pups

Disadvantages may include :

• Expensive
• The Covinan injection that is currently given as a means female contraception can sting the dog causing unwanted aggression towards the handlers

Obstacles may include :

• The community will need the assistance of a qualified veterinarian for sterilisation/contraceptive procedures, sometimes for up to one or two weeks. This can present obstacles, e.g. transport and labour costs, accommodation for the veterinarian whilst they are in the community etc.
• Covinan as a means of contraception for female dogs needs to be given every 5 months which can sometimes present difficulties with finding the same dog twice
• Difficulties with correct timing in relation to administering Covinan, i.e. it needs to be given to dogs before they go on heat (at approximately 7 months of age), and it is not to be given to dogs if they are pregnant

Putting dogs down /euthanasia i .e . Lethobarb 

Advantages may include :

• Ends a dogs suffering, misery, and pain

Disadvantages may include :

• Cultural issues
• It can be very emotional and stressful for the dog owner

Obstacles may include :

• If chemical injections such as Lethobarb are to be used, the assistance of qualified veterinarians, or other people with permits to administer the drug will be required. Access to people who are qualified can present obstacles for some remote communities

Key people or agencies may include :

• Environmental Health Officers
• Other environmental health worker
• Aboriginal Health Workers
• Veterinarians
• Specialists/experts
• Poisons branch

Relevant others /community members may include :

• Aboriginal Health Workers
• Other clinic staff
• Dog owners
• Householders
• Community members
• Elders and traditional owners

Organisation may refer to :

• Community council
• Community clinic
• Other employer bodies/agencies

Contributions to the coordination of the plan may include :

• Seeking community support for the plan
• Ordering in supplies and equipment, e.g. Ivomec, dispenser guns, marker spray paint etc.
• Networking and liaising with veterinarians, aboriginal health workers environmental health officers, other specialists/experts
• Informing the community about the times and dates for any proposed programs
• Organising the assistance of other helpers to aid with the handling of the dogs if required

Assistance with the delivery of a dog health and /or population control program may include :

• Talking to dog owners/community members about strategies to care for their dogs if required
• Talking to dog owners/community members about the causes of disease, and the possibilities of transmission between animals and humans
• Talking to dog owners about treatment for specific dogs in the household/community, e.g. how many to be given Ivomec, which dogs to be put down, sterilised (spays/castration) contraception etc
• Negotiating options with dog owners if required
• Handling dogs as required
• Marking dogs who have been treated
• Disposing of dogs who are put down
• Assisting the veterinarian with sterilisation/contraceptive procedures if required
• Assisting veterinarian, EHO with measuring out dosages of Ivomec (usually onto bread) and giving treatment to dogs in conjunction with dog owners

Results may refer to :

• Number of dogs treated
• Number of people informed about the diseases affecting their animals
• Method and type of treatment
• Problems such as aggressive dogs that were unable to be treated etc.

Follow up measures may include :

• Giving Ivomec treatment to dogs every 3 months
• Assisting with the administration of Covinan every 5 months
• Identifying and monitoring the location of female dogs being treated with Covinan in the community to ensure that they are easily found when required
• Talking to the community/dog owners about strategies for ongoing care of their dogs
• Monitoring dog diseases or deaths in the community, especially outbreaks
• Checking up on dogs after vet visits, e.g. dogs needing ongoing medication, or those just operated on. This information can then be feed back to the vet, as problems can quite often be dealt with over the phone and medication sent if the vet has already seen the animal

Success of the plan may refer to :

• Reduction in the number of sick dogs in the community
• Reduction and/or the stabilising of population
• Increased community awareness in relation to strategies to care for their dogs
• Reduction of transmissible diseases

Reporting methods may be :

• Verbally in either first language or English
• Written in either first language or English, e.g. notes, written reports etc.

Feedback may be through :

• Photos of the condition/population of dogs in the community
• Video recording the condition/population of dogs in the community
• Verbally in either first language or English depending on the target group and who the feedback is being provided to, i.e. the employing organisation, community or relevant others
• Written in either first language or English