Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 5:30 AM AWST

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Instruct handlers with disability to train assistance dogs

Instruct handlers with disability to train assistance dogs

Unit of competency
National Code
ACMADT402
State Code
OED15
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
16/07/2022
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
21/09/2022
Field of Education
079999 - Education, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
21/09/2022
Nominal Hours
70
Description
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare and conduct assistance dog instruction for handlers with mental health, physical, sensory, neurological or developmental disability. It includes preparation and delivery of instructions, managing instruction resources, maintaining the security of instruction aids, and evaluating and reporting on instruction outcomes.This unit applies to individuals who instruct handlers to train and socialise their assistance dogs in domestic and public access environments. These individuals analyse information and exercise judgement to complete a range of skilled activities to develop and communicate solutions for a range of dog behavioural goals.All work must be carried out to comply with Commonwealth and state/territory health and safety and animal welfare regulations.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare instruction plan for assistance dog handlers
  • 1.1 Review dog handler experience levels and identify skills gaps relating to training assistance dogs for specific health conditions or physical disabilities
  • 1.2 Develop training plan based upon identified needs, dog breed traits, age of the dog, animal welfare guidelines and dog training tasking protocols
  • 1.3 Research and prepare resources according to training requirements and workplace health and safety standards, legislation and regulations that apply to assistance dogs
  • 1.4 Address administrative requirements according to workplace procedures
2. Discuss understanding dog behaviour and assistance dog bonding with handlers
  • 2.1 Discuss dog welfare with handlers, including how to detect fear and anxiety in dogs
  • 2.2 Instruct handler in suitable methodologies that encourage the dog's instinct to bond with handler and respond by displaying assistive behaviour
3. Conduct instruction sessions for a dog handler
  • 3.1 Select, check and ensure handler uses appropriate equipment for assistance dog and themselves
  • 3.2 Instruct handler according to the plan, allowing scope for flexibility and contingencies
  • 3.3 Teach handler suitable dog training techniques, including operant and classical conditioning
  • 3.4 Instruct handler to train and socialise their assistance dog for household and public access
  • 3.5 Monitor and evaluate dog and handler treatment goal progress
  • 3.6 Provide constructive feedback throughout instruction session,with consideration for handler's disability
  • 3.7 Seek feedback from dog handler on training processes and information presented
4. Evaluate and finalise instruction outcomes
  • 4.1 Conduct assessment process to ascertain proficiency in tasking and public access
  • 4.2 Assess level of development and operational effectiveness of dog handler in relation to training assistance dog for specific human health conditions or physical disability traits
  • 4.3 Inform handlers about legal obligations associated with an assistance dog with regard to public access
  • 4.4 Maintain instruction or training records according to trainer and handler requirements
5. Manage dog handling instruction resources
  • 5.1 Use feedback to update dog handling resources
  • 5.2 Conduct ongoing research, and maintain and update dog handling resources relating to training assistance dogs for handlers with disability
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