ACMGAS302A
Provide enrichment for animals

This unit of competency covers the process of providing behavioural management and enrichment to stimulate, replenish and maintain appropriate behavioural patterns of animals.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Application

The unit is applicable to those working in the animal care industry where it may be necessary to provide enrichment activities for animals in various animal care sectors. These animals may be being kept long term in the workplace or being raised or prepared for sale, rehousing or release to their native habitat.

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.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Observe and record animal behaviour

1.1. Behaviour of individual animals and groups of animals is observed and recorded in accordance with organisation policies and procedures.

1.2. Observed behaviour is compared with known normal behavioural patterns for a range of species.

1.3. Strategies to encourage natural behaviour are identified and implemented.

1.4. Signs of stress are recognised, recorded and possible stressors are determined.

1.5. Abnormal behaviour indicating less than optimum physical and behavioural wellbeing is reported to supervisor.

2. Assist with managing undesirable animal behaviour

2.1. Participation in the development and implementation of a long-term strategy to manage undesirable behaviour is undertaken.

2.2. Short-term management of animals exhibiting undesirable behaviour is conducted.

2.3. Animal welfare and occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements are complied with during behavioural management processes.

3. Implement enrichment programs

3.1. Physical, social and food-related enrichment strategies appropriate to the species are determined, applied and evaluated in accordance with organisation policies and procedures.

3.2. Adverse consequences to an enrichment strategy are researched and assessed.

3.3. Used enrichment items are cleaned, decontaminated, disposed of or replaced according to organisation policies and procedures.

3.4. Responses to implementation of enrichment strategy are documented and reported.

3.5. Enrichment program modification suggestions are reviewed in consultation with supervisor, implemented, where appropriate, and documented.

Required Skills

Required skills

complete relevant work-related documents

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

evaluate behaviour, signs, symptoms and objective measures that may indicate animal health is at risk

identify common indicators of the presence of disease,injury, compromised health or distress in animals

maintain the highest standards of hygiene and infection control at all times to reduce the risk of infection and cross-infection

observe animals, documentand report behaviour and feeding patterns

literacy skills to read and follow organisational policies and procedures, including OHS and animal welfare; follow sequenced written instructions; and record information accurately and legibly

oral communication skills/language to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures

interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

problem-solving skills to assess appropriate strategies and prioritise daily tasks

use personal protective clothing and equipment correctly

use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment

use safe waste handling and disposal procedures.

Required knowledge

anatomical and physiological terminology and glossary of terms

anatomical and physiological structures and functions related to animal health and wellbeing and enrichment strategies

common diseases, ailments, injuries and other impacts on animal health and wellbeing

communication procedures and systems, and technology relevant to the organisation and the individual's work responsibilities

housing, exercise, social and activity needs of animals

methods of rectifying and modifying animal behaviour patterns

milestones in developmental progress from new born to mature animals

natural animal behaviour relating to the characteristics of the species, age, health status and social needs

organisational policies and procedures, including OHS and emergency procedures

physical, social and food-related enrichment activities

principles of animal welfare and ethics

relevant OHS and animal welfare legislative requirements and codes of practice

safe animal handling techniques

terminology used to describe and document health and behavioural signs and symptoms

workplace hygiene standards, disinfectants, cleaning agents, cleaning techniques and cleaning equipment and materials.

Evidence Required

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).


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.


Sectors

Unit sector

General animal studies


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.