Assess the compatibility of individuals and animals to work together

1. maintain your own professional conduct and ethics and work within the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence, experience and the relevant legislation

2. carry out your work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, associated codes of practice and organisational policies

3. carry out your work in accordance with the relevant animal health and welfare and animal-related legislation, associated codes of practice and organisational policies

4. establish the purpose of the individuals and animals working together

5. obtain the relevant information about the individuals and the animals to assist with your compatibility assessment

6. prepare any resources necessary for the assessment

7. carry out a compatibility assessment suitable to the individuals and the animals, and the specific purpose for which they will be working together

8. support the individuals wishing to work with animals so that they can contribute to the assessment process

9. identify the interrelated strengths and weaknesses of the individuals and the animals from the assessment

10. report the outcomes of the assessment to the individuals wanting to work with animals and all those involved in, or affected by, the activity

11. complete records as required by the relevant legislation and organisational policy

12. seek professional advice when necessary and refer cases on when required

13. plan, record, evaluate and reflect upon your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and work within the requirements of the relevant professional organisation

1. your professional responsibilities when assessing the compatibility of individuals and animals to work together and the limits of your own authority, expertise, training, competence and experience

2. your responsibilities under the relevant animal health and welfare, and other animal-related legislation and codes of practice, and the legal limitations of the current Veterinary Surgeons Act

3. your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, codes of practice and business policies

4. the importance of insurance cover, including professional indemnity

5. the different factors to take into account when assessing the compatibility of individuals and animals to work together and how these interrelate between the individuals and the animals and the purpose for which they are being trained

6. the sources of information that may enable a compatibility assessment to be carried out

7. the different methods of assessment that may be used when assessing the purpose of individuals and animals working together

8. the resources that may be used for the assessment and their methods of use

9. how to conduct the assessment to reveal the strengths and weaknesses of the individuals and animals and their interrelationship

10. the importance of maintaining communication with those involved in, or affected by, your work and the best way to do this

11. how to best communicate the results of the assessment back to the individuals wanting to work with animals

12. the records that need to be kept and the importance of completing these in accordance with the relevant legislation and organisational policy

13. where to obtain professional advice and guidance and the role of professional bodies and associations

14. your professional responsibilities and the importance of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to maintain professional competence

1. physical characteristics

2. capability

3. potential

4. temperament

Animal welfare legislation could include the:

• Veterinary Surgeons Act

• England and Wales, Animal Welfare Act

• Scotland, Animal Health and Welfare Act

• Northern Ireland, Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland)