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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. 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) may also be included.
Companion animals may include:
aquaria, reptiles and amphibians
birds
dogs and cats
invertebrates (e.g. stick insects, spiders and beetles)
small animals (e.g. rabbits, rodents, ferrets and guinea pigs).
Interpersonal skills may include:
effective questioning techniques to gather and clarify relevant information
following up client requests to ensure information or products are provided in a timely manner
following workplace protocols and procedures when dealing with client requests from various sources:
email
face to face
from other staff member or other business representative
telephone
web inquiry
presenting an appropriate professional manner in line with workplace aims, protocols and procedures
referring client to superiors if client request is beyond level of personal responsibility
responding to client requests within the limits of personal level of responsibility and expertise.
Client profile may include:
client contact details
previous animal ownership history and other animals currently kept
family structure and lifestyle
environment the animal will be living in
reasons for new animal acquisition and type of animal selected.
Characteristics of different breeds and species may include
breeding issues
heritable traits
medical conditions typical of the breed or species
natural predators
requires intensive exercise and/or grooming
temperament:
aggressive
good with children
noisy
playful
quiet
requires companionship
shy
training requirements.
Animal housing and environmental requirements may include:
set-up of cages, enclosures, compounds, brooders, aviaries, habitat boxes, paddocks and other structures used to house animals
biological control of waste
cleaning routines and methods
drainage and weather protection
general animal housing security
housing furniture
local council requirements related to:
limits to numbers and types of animals allowed
noise control
restricting access to animals
waste management
pest control
ventilation, heating and cooling requirements.
Health and nutritional requirements may include:
dietary needs:
types and quantities of commonly available feedstuffs, their preparation and presentation
feeding and watering frequency and rates
supplements that may be required according to current animal status
exercise and socialising needs
grooming and cleaning requirements
handling procedures and equipment
health check-up frequency and procedures
parasite control
potential hazards to specific animal species
techniques used to minimise trauma during rehousing, socialising with other animals and humans
temperature, climate and habitat needs of specific animal species
vaccinations requirements and schedules.
Products and services may include:
animal handling equipment, clothing and bedding
animal housing furniture
boarding and holiday care services
books, DVDs and other information sources
feeding equipment, implements and products
grooming and cleaning equipment and services available
parasite control products
puppy and general animal training services
toys and stimulation products
transportation equipment and services
veterinary and other products and services.
Transportation requirements may include:
local, interstate or overseas travel
to and from the companion animal facility and clients' homes.
Legislative requirements may include:
animal welfare obligations
companion animal regulations
environmental obligations
local council regulations:
identification, such as microchip and other methods
registration
waste control.

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.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competence 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. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
provide information and advice of the housing, nutrition, environmental and general maintenance requirements of a range of companion animals
comply with relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice, including animal welfare, OHS, sale and transport of companion animals
build relationships and communicate effectively with clients to advise on the suitability of a particular companion animal breed or species to meet their needs
maintain records and follow-up with customers as required.

The skills and knowledge required to provide advice on companion animal selection and general care must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a companion animal workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. Workplaces may include pet shops, boarding kennels and catteries, companion animal training, grooming and/or breeding establishments and mobile animal facilities.

There must be access to a range of companion animal breeds and species as well as the appropriate equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.

Method of assessment
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:
written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions
third-party evidence
workplace documentation
portfolio.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

.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).