This unit of competency supports trainers and others in the greyhound racing industry responsible for relating anatomical and physiological features to the care and treatment of greyhounds.

This unit can be contextualised for other industries while also maintaining the integrity of the unit.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Identify basic anatomy and physiology of greyhounds.

1. Key features and functions of skeletal system and muscular system are identified.

2. Key features and functions of respiratory system are identified.

3. Key features and functions of circulatory system are identified.

4. Key features and functions of digestive system are identified.

5. Key features and functions of reproductive system are identified.

Relate anatomy and body systems to performance of racing greyhounds.

6. Common illnesses and injuries of skeletal and muscular system of racing greyhounds are identified.

7. Common illnesses and injuries of respiratory system of racing greyhounds are identified.

8. Common illnesses and injuries of circulatory system of racing greyhounds are described.

9. Common illnesses and injuries of digestive system of racing greyhounds are described.

Follow illness and injury management plans.

10. Healing processes following illness or injury are recognised.

11. Impact of medications on body systems is understood.

12. Impact of therapies is understood.

13. Care and treatment of injured or sick greyhound are provided according to directions and animal welfare principles.

Required skills

adhering to responsibilities under OHS legislation and workplace practices

adhering to responsibilities under national and state codes of practice; federal, state and territory legislation; and local government regulations covering animal welfare

administering or supervising administration of non-prescription and prescribed medication

applying safe handling and work practices when caring for and treating greyhounds

assessing and responding to illness or injury in greyhounds

caring for and treating greyhounds

communicating with kennel staff, greyhound health specialists and others using assertive communication techniques to gather and relay information related to relating basic anatomical and physiological features of greyhounds to their care and treatment

evaluating risks associated with catching and controlling greyhounds

giving and receiving instructions

identifying and correctly using different therapies or medications

identifying features and functions of greyhound body systems

identifying common illnesses and injuries

reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including relevant rules of racing and material safety data sheets

relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities

using or supervising use of technology related to therapy

written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and reports.

Required knowledge

communication procedures within kennel and wider racing industry

common greyhound behaviour, social traits and vices

common illnesses and injuries in greyhounds

impact of medications or therapies

industry terminology related to caring for and treating racing greyhounds

key features and functions of greyhound body systems

prohibited substances

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

relevant rules of racing

restraining techniques for greyhounds

signs and symptoms of greyhound illnesses and injuries

types of medications and therapies.

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.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency 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 and include evidence of the following:

knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions that apply when relating anatomical and physiological features to the care and treatment of greyhounds

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application of care and treatment programs for racing greyhounds

working with others to undertake and complete procedures that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of greyhounds of different ages, sexes and temperaments, and at different stages of preparation in racing kennel and track environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to the required resources or simulated environment approved by the relevant State Principal Racing Authority. Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints. It is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements or Australian Standards requirements.

Assessment of the practical components of this unit will be by observation of relevant skills.

The following resources must be available:

a variety of greyhounds

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to relate anatomical and physiological features to the care and treatment of greyhounds

safe handling areas, such as commercial kennels, and training and racetracks

work instructions and related documentation.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Racing Training Package.

The suggested strategies for the assessment of this unit are:

written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

simulation exercises conducted in a State Principal Racing Authority approved simulated environment.

Evidence is required to be demonstrated over a period of time, therefore where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons.

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).

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.

The range statement provides details of how this competency can be used in the workplaces of the racing industry to relate anatomical and physiological features to the care and treatment of greyhounds. Workplaces include greyhound kennels and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Components of skeletal and muscular systems will include:

bones

joints

ligaments

muscles

tendons.

Components of respiratory system will include:

alveolus

diaphragm

larynx

lungs

nostrils

pharynx

trachea.

Components of circulatory system will include:

arteries

blood cells

heart

lungs

veins.

Components of digestive system will include:

caecum

diaphragm

intestines

kidneys

mouth

oesophagus

pharynx

stomach.

Components of reproductive system will include:

endocrine glands

male and female genital organs

oestrous cycle

pregnancy and whelping.

Common illnesses and injuries may include:

skeletal and muscular systems, including:

stifle joint lameness

suspensory ligament injury

respiratory system, including:

air passage inflammation

canine influenza

circulatory disorder

digestive system, including:

botulism

colic

hepatitis.

Healing processes may include:

blood vessels

cartilage and bone

connective tissue

muscle tissue

nerves

skin and mucosal membrane.

Medications may include:

anabolic steroids

antibiotics

anti-inflammatories

bronchodilators

hormones

injections

muscle relaxants

poultices

sedatives

vasodilators

vitamins.

Therapies may include:

acupuncture

bandaging

chiropractic

counter irritation

electromagnetic

exercise, for example walking or swimming

hydrotherapy

ice and heat

immobilisation

laser

magnetic

massage

pharmaceutical

rest

ultrasound.

Directions related to care and treatment of greyhounds may include:

adhering to rules of racing in administration of treatments

adhering to medication material safety data sheet directions

administering prescribed treatments

advice from veterinary surgeons, acupuncturists, chiropractors or message therapists.

Unit Sector

Greyhound racing code

This unit contains employability skills.