Elements and Performance Criteria

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. Bold italicised wording in the performance criteria is detailed below.

The range statement provides details of how this competency can be used in the workplaces of the racing industry to attend greyhounds during exercise routines. Workplaces include greyhound kennels and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.
Verifying greyhounds to be exercised may include:
asking questions
checking worksheets against kennel numbers
identifying individual greyhound features.
Preparations for exercise may include:
applying bandages as required
assisting with transportation requirements
checking feed and water intake
checking greyhound for symptoms of illness or injury, including:
cuts or abrasions
heat in limbs
lameness
strains or sprains
checking gear for signs of wear or damage, then fitting gear, including:
collar
lead
muzzle
grooming to instructions.
Potential exercise hazards may include:
considering variables that influence behaviour of greyhounds, such as:
fences and equipment
lure
other persons or animals
vehicles
wind or noise
considering weather conditions, including:
excessive heat
rain
crossing or walking along roads
materials or equipment that may lead to injured greyhounds or people, including:
lure
walking machines
insecure boundary fencing
number of greyhounds to be walked or exercised by one handler
potential for greyhounds to get out of collar
walking greyhounds in areas used by the public to exercise pet dogs.
Rules and protocols may include:
council regulations regarding walking and slipping greyhounds
local track rules and regulations
relevant road rules
rules of racing, including:
animal welfare principles
drugs and alcohol.
Exercise activity may include:
free exercise for greyhounds in open spaces or in exercise yards, singly or in groups
hand slipping
road or pubic area walking
field trials, including:
straight tracks
circular tracks
swimming
walking machines.
Kennel procedures for post-exercise care may include:
cooling greyhounds down
checking for injuries
hosing and bathing
grooming
reporting irregularities or injuries
walking or transporting from track if required.
Irregularities with greyhound or gear may include:
gear breakage or signs of wear or damage
symptoms of illness or injury
slow post-exercise recovery rate.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:
knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions that are to apply when performing kennel duties related to attending greyhounds during exercise routines
implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient performance of greyhound exercise duties
working with others to undertake and complete kennel procedures that meet required outcomes.
Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of greyhounds of different ages, sexes and temperaments, and at different stages of preparation in racing kennel and track environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to the required resources or simulated environment approved by the relevant State Principal Racing Authority. Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints. It is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements or Australian Standards requirements.
Assessment of the practical components of this unit will be by observation of relevant skills.
The following resources must be available:
a variety of greyhounds
materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to attend greyhounds during exercise routines
safe handling areas, such as commercial kennels, and training and racetracks
work instructions and related documentation.
Method of assessment
Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Racing Training Package.
The suggested strategies for the assessment of this unit are:
written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
simulation exercises conducted in a State Principal Racing Authority approved simulated environment.
Evidence is required to be demonstrated over a period of time, therefore where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons.
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role, for example:
RGRPSG203A Perform kennel duties.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).