Assessment Requirements for ACMBEH301 Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals

Release: 1

Assessment Requirements for ACMBEH301 Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals

Modification History

Release	Comments
Release 1	This version released with ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package Version 4.0.

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:

identified and interpreted common animal behaviour, including body language for two different species or breed groups

described the behaviour, using objective behavioural terminology, and the approach to handling or interacting with three animals experiencing different emotional states, including:

an animal showing defensive and fearful behaviour

an animal that is calm

used safe and low stress handling techniques and equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE) to interact with, restrain, move and/or handle at least two different animals to carry out an activity, selected from two of the following:

one animal requiring two people to manually lift or move

one animal to be handled, lifted and/or moved independently

one small and/or fragile animal to be handled or moved

one animal to be handled or moved in an activity undertaken in close proximity with the handler

one animal to be moved into or out of an enclosure.

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:

how to identify animals by:

species and breed

physical characteristics, including colour and sex

common forms of visual identification

common species-specific behaviour traits and factors that influence behaviour, including genetics, health, environment, current situation/context and previous learning

core emotional states in animals, including positive, neutral and negative states

concept of anthropomorphism

species-specific body language and signs, including:

gross and fine movements and vocalisation (where relevant to species)

coping behaviours

how to recognise and respond to behaviours that are potentially unsafe

carer-animal relationship and its effect on the animal’s behaviour

basic concepts for influencing or directing animal movement, including:

body positioning

clear instruction or cues

species-specific holding or restraint techniques

use of positive reinforcers

flight zone, pressure zone and point of balance

safe, low stress and humane species-specific handling techniques and equipment

hazards and risks associated with handling and interacting with animals, including:

injuries, including bites, scratches and manual handling

infectious diseases and zoonoses

compatibility of different animals

purpose of PPE items, including footwear, gloves and protective clothing

common activities undertaken in animal care sectors, including for:

health, hygiene and sanitation/infection control

grooming

medical procedures

manual lifting/moving of animals

key principles of animal welfare and ethics relevant to handling and interacting with animals

key requirements of health and safety legislation for work undertaken in animal care environments.

Assessment Conditions

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

physical conditions:

an animal care workplace or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions

resources, equipment and materials:

live animals as specified in the performance evidence

videos of animal behaviour where relevant aspects of behaviour cannot be observed with live animals

equipment and resources appropriate to work being undertaken in an animal care environment, including PPE

specifications:

workplace policies and procedures related to safety and low stress handling/interaction with animals.

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