Assessment Requirements for ACMBEH407 Conduct animal behavioural assessments

Release: 1

Assessment Requirements for ACMBEH407 Conduct animal behavioural assessments

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 reviewed at least two different assessment tools relevant to the workplace or species, identifying strengths and limitations of each

conducted a behavioural assessment for four individual animals, documenting objective descriptions of each animal’s behaviour and the decision making process, for:

two animals that require minimal further action or behaviour management

one animal that requires a structured program on a specific area identified from the assessment outcome

one animal that requires a more rigorous program on a specific area that necessitates referral to other suitable personnel

handled or interacted with each animal in a safe, low stress manner, using appropriate equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) where required

completed all required workplace documentation for each assessment conducted.

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:

species-specific behavioural characteristics of animals relevant to workplace, including:

recognising body language and signs of likely emotional states

context-appropriate versus maladaptive or undesirable behaviour

general signs of animal condition, welfare and health status

identification of animals, including physical features, microchipping or relevant documentation

types of and reasons for conducting behavioural assessments, including:

rehoming or adoption

activity-specific or work roles

potential sources of behavioural information on individual animals, including:

owners/carers, including those who may be surrendering animals

finders (of stray animals)

staff/volunteers

veterinarians

observations from play groups/socialisation and husbandry activities

methods for collecting behavioural information, including observations, interviews and surveys

factors to consider that can impact behavioural assessments, including:

physical and social context

animal’s health and wellbeing

current emotional state

presence or absence of individual with existing social bond with animal

animal behaviour and assessment theory, including:

principles of animal behaviour and communication

animal personality and coping behaviours

objective observation of context and behaviours

features of best practice behavioural assessments

limitations of common assessment tools

behaviours that may indicate an increased likelihood that the assessment conditions are compromised, or the animal is not in a fit welfare state to undertake the assessment, including:

fearful responses to people, other animals and/or specific stimuli

reactivity, including to assessment environment

signs of stress

signs of pain or ill health

safety working with animals, including:

hazard identification

risk assessments – environmental and behaviour

safe environments for individual and/or groups of animals

species-specific equipment – muzzles, collars, leads, towel wraps or crates

correct fit and use of PPE

infection control and zoonoses

strategies for personal psychological health and safety

workplace procedures for:

conducting assessments, including for individual and/or groups of animals, single and/or multi-stage processes and types of information to be gathered

species-specific low stress and defensive handling techniques

key principles of animal welfare

key features of current state and local government regulations or requirements relating to:

specific species or breeds

registration, microchipping and containment

health and welfare requirements

requirements of relevant record-keeping system.

Assessment Conditions

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

physical conditions:

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

resources, equipment and materials:

live animals to be assessed as specified in the performance evidence

equipment for conducting the animal behaviour assessments, including PPE, as required

specifications:

workplace tools/format for conducting the animal behaviour assessments.

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