Assessor Resource

ACMVET511A
Apply principles of animal behaviour

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This Unit is intended for veterinary nurses with extensive vocational expertise who conduct client education programs and provide support for veterinarians in general practice. It is assumed that such nurses will have a leadership role in their practice and provide behavioural advice to clients in accordance with clinic policies and procedures.

In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all Units of Competency in the ACM10 Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to exhibit appropriate care for animals so that stress and discomfort is minimised.

This Unit of Competency describes the skills and knowledge necessary to assess and respond to animal behaviour in general veterinary practice. The Unit covers the fundamentals of behavioural medicine, which includes the promotion of behavioural health and appropriate intervention strategies for behaviour problems. It requires a holistic application of veterinary nursing, distinguishing normal and abnormal behaviours, acceptable and unacceptable behaviours, current behavioural therapies, animal legislation and effective client communication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Nil

Employability Skills

This Unit contains employability skills



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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:

develop and deliver an animal behaviour education program that benefits pets, pet owners or community groups

review an animal behaviour education program

apply relevant legislations and workplace health and safety requirements

collect patient histories and identify a range of normal and abnormal animal behaviours in at least 3 different species or at least 3 different breeds in a single species practice

determine a range of acceptable and unacceptable animal behaviours in at least 3 different species or at least 3 different breeds in a single species practice

respond to common behaviour problems in companion animals in accordance with clinic policies and procedures

provide nursing support for behavioural consultations

co-ordinate nursing care of behavioural cases

co-ordinate follow up procedures.

The skills and knowledge required to apply the principles of animal behaviour must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.

It is highly recommended that learners perform work placement in another approved veterinary practice or training workplace in order to gather further evidence of competence and demonstrate the transferability of skills and knowledge outcomes.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this Unit is to be practical in nature and must be assessed in a veterinary practice in order to gain exposure to sufficient caseload.

There must be access to a veterinary clinic or animal hospital, a range of companion animals as well as the appropriate equipment, resources and documentation to enable one to demonstrate competence.

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency of performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than two occasions over an extended period of time, by conducting early socialisation programs; assessing patients, assisting veterinarians, and co-ordinating follow-up of behavioural cases on a regular basis.

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

case study analysis

role plays

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).

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills Include:

Ability to:

apply oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the clinic, including communication with clients, public speaking, negotiating and questioning techniques, active listening, asking for clarification from a veterinarian, acknowledging and responding to a range of views

apply problem solving skills to use available resources and anticipate veterinarians’ requirements

conduct client education program/s

demonstrate empathy with animals and clients

employ interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

employ safe and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when working with and handling animals

implement written and verbal instructions

record medications according to prescribed legislative requirements

use literacy skills to read, select and implement policies and procedures, including workplace health and safety and infection control; implement sequenced written and oral instructions; and record patient details accurately and legibly

work closely with the supervising veterinarian and as part of the clinic team.

Required knowledge includes:

Knowledge of:

abnormal behaviour and the potential role of physical illness in behavioural problems

an understanding of the grieving process and where and how to access grief counselling

animal anatomy and physiology relating to the stress response

animal learning theory

animal nutrition and husbandry

common behavioural problems in companion animals

current techniques in behavioural therapy

fundamentals of animal behaviour

legal responsibilities of pet ownership

normal animal behaviour, development and communication

medications commonly used to manage behavioural disorders

principles of animal welfare and ethics

relevant state or territory legislation and regulations relating to the practice of veterinary science, workplace health and safety and animal welfare

relevant state or territory legislation covering the use of therapeutic and controlled substances.

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.

Basic animal needs

Basic animal needs include:

food and water

space

shelter

adequate mental and physical stimulation

companionship.

Early socialisation

Early socialisation means:

interaction between animals of the same species during the formative stage of their behavioural development

usually 6-18 weeks of age in puppies and kittens.

Client education programs

Client education programs may include:

animal training

choosing the right family pet

kitten kinder

providing for behavioural needs

puppy school

safety around animals.

Behavioural issues

Behavioural issues may include but are not limited to:

aggression

antisocial behaviour

anxiety

compulsive disorders

coprophagia

destructive behaviour

escaping and roaming

excessive vocalisation

fear

inappropriate urination/defaecation.

Legal responsibilities

Legal responsibilities of pet ownership include:

registration

microchipping

de-sexing

containment

owner control

animal welfare

breed specific legislation

noise control.

Physical environment

Physical environment may include:

back yard

cage

house

kennel

lawn

property

paddock

run.

Social environment

Social environment means:

daily routines

other people and pets

social experiences.

Risks and hazards

Risks and hazards may include:

animal conflict

bites

intimidation of other pets or people that may result in physical or psychological injury

scratches.

Appropriate actions

Appropriate actions may include:

client control of animal

client instruction

hazard management

use of animal restraint devices.

Nursing support

Nursing support means:

directing clients

collecting history

restraining animals

performing a physical examination

producing reports

supplying medications

organising revisits and other follow-up procedures

coordinating referrals when required.

Behavioural medications

Behavioural medications include:

anti anxiety medications

sedatives

behavioural modifiers

anti-histamines

analgesics

other drugs as prescribed by a veterinarian.

Instructions

Instructions may include:

training

avoiding triggers for unwanted behavioural responses

environmental enrichment

social exposure

desensitisation

counter conditioning

other forms of behavioural modification.

Support grieving clients

Support grieving clients means:

providing appropriate sympathy for clients whose pets must be euthanased or re-homed due to behavioural problems, or whose pets may continue in the home but have on-going limitations

referral to a qualified councillor as required.

Follow-up procedures

Follow-up procedures may include:

sending reminders

making telephone calls

scheduling revisits

conducting nurse clinics.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Basic animal needs are identified and related to behavioural patterns. 
Clients are advised on the benefits of early socialisation and humane training methods. 
A client education program for the benefit of pets, their owners and the wider community is developed and delivered in accordance with legislative requirements and clinic policies and procedures. 
Client education program is reviewed in order to demonstrate learner engagement and continuous improvement. 
Client advice on behavioural issues and legal responsibilities of pet ownership is provided in accordance with clinic policies and procedures. 
Patient histories are collected and a range of normal and abnormal behaviours in different species are identified. 
A range of acceptable and unacceptable animal behaviours in different species are determined. 
The physical and social environment of the patient is assessed. 
Risks or hazards to patient, other animals, self, owner, staff and general public is assessed. 
Identified behavioural issues are communicated to the veterinarian. 
Appropriate action/s are co-ordinated to reduce risk in accordance with workplace health and safety requirements, clinic policies and procedures or as directed by veterinarian. 
Nursing support for behavioural consultations is provided. 
Appropriate behavioural advice is provided to clients as directed by veterinarian and in accordance with clinic policies and procedures. 
Behavioural medications are prepared in accordance with legislative requirements, clinic policies and procedures, as prescribed and/or as directed by the veterinarian. 
Instructions for a range of animal behaviours are developed and delivered. 
Grieving clients are supported and offered referral for counselling if required. 
Appropriate follow-up procedures are co-ordinated in order to encourage client compliance and monitor patient progress. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ACMVET511A - Apply principles of animal behaviour
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Assessment Record Sheet

ACMVET511A - Apply principles of animal behaviour

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