Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

CSCDH402A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Maintain the health and welfare of dogs

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency CSCDH402A - Maintain the health and welfare of dogs
Description This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to maintain the health and welfare of dogs working for/within the organisation through vaccination programs, monitoring and addressing canine health and welfare issues, and keeping the dog's environment free of pests, contagious diseases or other health, welfare or safety hazards.
Employability Skills The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of employability skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit of competency is packaged, will assist in identifying employability skills requirements.
Learning Outcomes and Application The unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge for maintaining the health and welfare of dogs. The unit may be customised, particularly regarding the methods of maintaining high standards of canine health and welfare based on different requirements of the organisation, function of the work team and location.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable Not applicable
Competency Field Not applicable
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Manage the health of dogs.
  • Identify basic symptoms of ill health in dogs.
  • Consult information concerning common illnesses, parasites and other causes of ill health affecting working dogs.
  • Identify local authorities who can be consulted regarding the establishment or maintenance of the health of dogs.
  • Carry out a program of health maintenance to prevent common illnesses or parasites.
  • Carry out a treatment program for an ill or injured dog.
  • Carry out basic first aid for an ill or injured dog.
  • Maintain a basic first aid kit suitable for treating an ill or injured dog.
       
Element: Manage the hygiene and welfare of dogs.
  • Maintain kennels, training areas and dog transportation kennels according to animal health and welfare requirements or unit policy, standards and regulations.
  • Maintain the health, welfare and fitness of dogs in all operational and environmental conditions according to work unit policies and standards.
  • Maintain a healthy diet for dogs based upon individual animal's requirements and unit policy and procedures.
  • Use humane training methods based upon positive reinforcement and active encouragement of skill development, avoiding harsh punishment or fear tactics.
  • Use short, frequent training sessions suited to the individual dog's level of training and ability to concentrate effectively.
  • Assess and recommend the need to retire or dispose of dogs according to unit policy, specialist advice and/or animal health and welfare standards.
       
Element: Maintain records of health and welfare of dogs.
  • Establish and maintain vaccination and other preventative health records for each dog according to unit policies, standards and requirements.
  • Establish and maintain health, operation details and injury records for each dog according to unit policies, standards and requirements.
  • Keep records of decisions to retire or dispose of dogs.
  • Follow unit and organisational policies and procedures to record and report incidents that result in injuries to dogs.
       


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, 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.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, 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.

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required skills:

administering preventative or curative medicines and treatments to dogs

applying basic first aid techniques to dogs

maintaining kennels, training and dogs to the required standard of hygiene

working independently and in teams to manage the hygiene and welfare of dogs

monitoring diet and exercise regimes to maintain the health and welfare of dogs

collecting, analysing and organising information to produce records and reports required by the organisation, work unit standards and animal welfare authorities

recognising basic symptoms of ill health in dogs

using humane methods of training dogs

solving problems to deal with workplace safety risks.

Required knowledge:

animal health and welfare requirements and regulations affecting working dogs

organisational policies and procedures regarding the health and welfare of dogs within the organisation

organisational and unit policies and standards regarding the hygiene and welfare of dogs

dietary and exercise requirements of working dogs

location of veterinarians and other authorities who can assist in the maintenance of the health and welfare of dogs

common canine diseases and parasites that affect the health of dogs

preventative measures for controlling illnesses and parasites that can affect dogs

basic first aid techniques that can be used to treat injured dogs

records and reports required by legislative authorities, the organisation, work unit and animal welfare authorities

dog training methodologies and practices

capabilities of dogs working within the organisation.

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.

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
Identify basic symptoms of ill health in dogs. 
Consult information concerning common illnesses, parasites and other causes of ill health affecting working dogs. 
Identify local authorities who can be consulted regarding the establishment or maintenance of the health of dogs. 
Carry out a program of health maintenance to prevent common illnesses or parasites. 
Carry out a treatment program for an ill or injured dog. 
Carry out basic first aid for an ill or injured dog. 
Maintain a basic first aid kit suitable for treating an ill or injured dog. 
Maintain kennels, training areas and dog transportation kennels according to animal health and welfare requirements or unit policy, standards and regulations. 
Maintain the health, welfare and fitness of dogs in all operational and environmental conditions according to work unit policies and standards. 
Maintain a healthy diet for dogs based upon individual animal's requirements and unit policy and procedures. 
Use humane training methods based upon positive reinforcement and active encouragement of skill development, avoiding harsh punishment or fear tactics. 
Use short, frequent training sessions suited to the individual dog's level of training and ability to concentrate effectively. 
Assess and recommend the need to retire or dispose of dogs according to unit policy, specialist advice and/or animal health and welfare standards. 
Establish and maintain vaccination and other preventative health records for each dog according to unit policies, standards and requirements. 
Establish and maintain health, operation details and injury records for each dog according to unit policies, standards and requirements. 
Keep records of decisions to retire or dispose of dogs. 
Follow unit and organisational policies and procedures to record and report incidents that result in injuries to dogs. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CSCDH402A - Maintain the health and welfare of dogs
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

CSCDH402A - Maintain the health and welfare of dogs

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: