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.
Behaviour of animals may include:
animal activities and responses based on:
species, breed, age and sex of the animal
the time of the day or night
the breeding season
normal behaviour in various contexts:
breeding
eliminative
grooming
ingestive
resting
social
abnormal behaviour:
aggression
anxiety
compulsive disorders
facility and equipment destruction
fearfulness
self-mutilation.
Animals may include:
animals commonly encountered within the industry workplace and may cover both native and introduced species
animals from the six major animal groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates).
Strategies to encourage natural behaviour may include:
activities and equipment:
to encourage foraging or hunting for food appropriate for species
to provide exercise and physical fitness and dexterity relevant to animal species
to provide opportunities to live and socialise in an environment appropriate for particular species
to rest, hide or shelter in appropriate housing
to reinforce the role of owner or handler in an appropriate context for the nominated species.
Signs of stress may include:
aggressive behaviour
destruction of equipment or habitat
inappetence
over-stimulation of animal
repetitive actions
self mutilation
subdued behaviour
trembling
vocalisation.
Abnormalbehaviour may include:
exaggerated forms of a normal behaviour:
non-stop barking
constant digging
repetitive patterns or action:
pacing in straight line or figure eight patterns
restlessness
stationary, non-purposeful movements:
head tossing
swaying
self-mutilation.
Managing undesirable animal behaviour may include:
consulting behaviour specialists for:
behaviour modification of animal
training for owner or handler
food or food-related enrichment may be provided by:
giving animals opportunities to hunt or forage for food by hiding it in substrates
giving the animal food that requires processing (e.g. peeling or shelling fruit or seeds)
gnawing manipulada
providing equipment to encourage appropriate exercise:
access to larger areas for free exercise or lead walking
climbing poles and scratching posts
ladders, ropes and treadmills
providing equipment and toys for skill development and time occupiers:
non-edible items that can be easily added or removed from the environment, such as toys (e.g. balls, bells, toys, puzzles and mirrors)
providing species appropriate housing and bedding:
hide boxes, tunnels and ladders
nest building or bedding material:
shredded paper
straw
substrate
wood shavings
perches, roosting shelves and nest boxes
social enrichment:
levels of contact with other animals of the same species or breed
social interactions between the animal and the carer may also be appropriate.
Animal welfare and OHS requirements may include:
animal welfare requirements:
compliance to appropriate state or territory legislation and regulations
keeping health and behaviour records
providing adequate housing and stock levels
providing appropriate enrichment opportunities
the absence of pests and vermin
the compatibility of species and breeds
OHS requirements:
use of relevant personal protective equipment, such as animal handling gauntlets and eye wear
hazard identification, risk minimisation and workplace procedures for:
animal bites, kicks, scratches, crush injuries
biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal
gas leakage
handling, use, storage, transport and disposal of chemicals and medicines
inhalation of aerosol particles
manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting
needle pricks and cuts from other sharps
to control the release of infective agents (animal and human)
transmission of zoonotic diseases.
Adverse consequences to enrichment strategies may include:
destruction of habitat
fighting between animals over access to enrichment items or activities leading to potential for injuries
impact on security of animals, staff and public of enrichment activity
life of enrichment item or activity compared to cost
over-stimulation of animal
refusal of animal to utilise enrichment items
self-mutilation or other signs of stress.
Suggestions for program modification may include:
changing diet
changing group dynamics by adding or removing other animals
consultation with behavioural specialist
consultation with veterinarian on the use of chemical therapy to assist animal's ability to deal with stressful situation
further education of owner or handler:
to control their own responses to animal behaviour
to identify triggers in animal behaviour
to provide more effective leadership
increasing or decreasing amount and timing of stimulation offered to animal
providing different forms of enrichment
re-locate animal to more suitable environment.

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:
observe, record and report normal and abnormal behaviour patterns and conditions, including signs of stress for a range of animals
assist others in the selection of accommodation appropriate to animals' behavioural needs and the requirements of the facility
assist others in the development of long-term behavioural management strategies
conductshort-term behavioural management and enrichment programs
comply with animal welfare and OHS requirements and organisational policies and procedures
maintain accurate records.

The skills and knowledge required to provide enrichment for animals 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 an animal care industry sector workplace in which candidates are working or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. Workplaces can include pet shops, breeding or boarding kennels and catteries, aviaries, companion animal training, grooming establishments, animal shelters, zoos, wildlife parks, mobile animal facilities and animal technology facilities.

There must be access in either situation to a range of animals as well as relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.Assessment must be relevant to the industry sector in which candidates are working andmust cover a minimum of one species from at least two of the six major animal groups OR at least three breeds from within one of the six major animal groups (mammals, fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates).

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 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).