Elements and Performance Criteria

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. Add any 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.
Basic symptoms of ill health can include:
signs of pain
dry nose
dull eyes
lethargy
lameness.
Local authorities can include:
animal welfare associations
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)
local veterinarians.
Program of health maintenance will include:
daily health checks
annual veterinary checks
maintaining hygienic environment.
Treatment program can vary according to:
symptoms exhibited by the dog
cause of the symptoms, illness or injury
physical form of the treatment to be administered (e.g. tablet, liquids and wash, etc.)
methods to be administered (e.g. in food, pill popper, applied to back of neck, injections, dog chew, etc.)
dosage matched to weight of dog.
Training methods to include:
humane, positive methods that meet the requirements of the individual dog in training (e.g. more dominant dog may require more dominant control methods than more compliant dog)
appropriate rewards
enthusiastic attitudes and methods
use of stimulus aids or other simulated targets
short, frequent training sessions
variety in location of stimulus aids or other simulated targets and training experiences.
Health records should be generated:
weekly, monthly and annually according to treatment programs for preventative or curative health regimes
in response to an incident
to meet organisation, work unit and animal welfare legislative requirements.
Organisational policies and procedures can include:
enabling legislation
organisational policies and procedures, particularly those relating to the health and welfare of dogs within the organisation
workplace health and safety Acts, regulations and guidelines
national and regional policies and procedures
procedural guides, standard operating procedures and work instructions.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Evidence for assessment must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms:
the knowledge requirements of this unit
the skill requirements of this unit
application of employability skills as they relate to this unit.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit contains knowledge that may be assessed off the job, for example in a structured learning process, and performance outcomes which should be assessed ideally in the workplace in routine activities and in conjunction with other units within the dog handling skills set.
Valid assessment of this unit requires:
a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered while maintaining the health and welfare of dogs, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and changes to routine
legislation, policy, procedures and guidelines relating to the health and welfare of dogs
access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
observation of performance in routine workplace activities within a range of agreed responsibilities and in various work locations
written and/or oral questioning to assess knowledge and understanding
completion of workplace documents and reports produced as part of routine work activities and sustainable practice
third-party reports from experienced practitioners
completion of performance feedback from supervisors and colleagues.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands, and any identified special needs of the candidate, including language and literacy implications and cultural factors that may affect responses to the questions.
In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge.