Implement training programmes for individuals and animals to work together
Overview
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
work professionally and ethically and within the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience
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
carry out your work in accordance with the relevant animal health and welfare and animal-related legislation, associated codes of practice and organisational policy
handle and interact with the animal in a way that does not compromise animal welfare, avoids behaviour giving rise to welfare concern and maintains health and safety during the training
assess the suitability of the individuals and the animals for the planned training activities and take action where necessary
assess the suitability of the training environment for the planned training activities
prepare the individuals and the animals for the training programme to enable them to work together
prepare the resources necessary for the planned training activities
implement the training activities using methods and resources in accordance with the training programme
monitor the emotional condition and physical behaviour of the individuals and animals both before and during training
recognise the signs of stress, conflict and avoidance in the individuals wishing to work with animals and respond accordingly
recognise the signs of stress, fear, aggression, pain, conflict and avoidance in the animal and respond accordingly
provide feedback to the individuals wishing to work with animals and support them to develop their skills
regularly review, record and report the progress towards the training objectives, in accordance with the training programme
implement any agreed changes to the training programme to modify training activities, methods or resources
recognise if the training programme or a particular task is likely to be detrimental to the animal’s health and welfare
maintain communication with colleagues and all those involved in, or affected by, your work
seek professional advice and refer cases on when required
plan, record, evaluate and reflect upon your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and work within the requirements of the relevant professional organisation
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
your professional responsibilities as a trainer and the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience
your responsibilities under the relevant animal health and welfare and animal-related legislation, associated codes of practice, and the legal limitations of the Veterinary Surgeons Act
your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
the importance of insurance cover, including professional indemnity
how to check that the animal’s welfare is maintained throughout the training and that your behaviour or that of the individuals wishing to work with animals does not cause adverse reactions, fear or distress to the animals
how to assess the suitability of the individuals and the animals for the planned training activity, prior to implementation
how to assess the suitability of the environment and resources for the planned training activities, prior to implementation
the objectives of the training programme and how to monitor progress
the psychological and physiological effects that training activities may have on the individuals and the animals wishing to work together
how to select the most suitable training methods for the training programme for the individuals and the animals wishing to work together
how to prepare the individuals and the animals for training and how this will be different according to the training programme
how to prepare and use the resources necessary for the training activities
the importance of recognising and assessing the behaviour and condition of the individuals and animals before and during training activities and when to take action
how to provide suitable feedback to the individuals wishing to work with animals
how to handle the animal in a way that minimises stress and risk to yourself and all those involved in the training
the use of positive and negative reinforcement and the effects of these approaches on animal behaviour
how to recognise when training activities, methods or resources may not be suitable for the individuals or the animal and the action to take
the factors that can influence the success of the training objectives
how to recognise any potentially detrimental effects of the training programme on the animal’s health and welfare
why any modifications to the training programme must be made by the person who has designed the programme and not implemented without approval
the importance of maintaining communication with those involved in, or affected by, your work and the best way to do this
the records that need to be kept in relation to the training programme and the importance of completing these in accordance with the relevant legislation and organisational policy
where to obtain professional advice and guidance and the role of professional bodies and associations
your professional responsibilities and the importance of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to maintain professional competence
Scope/range
species
breed
age
conformation
physical fitness
weight/condition score
training history
medical history
personnel
training aids/equipment
handling aids/equipment
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Veterinary Surgeons Act
England and Wales, Animal Welfare Act
Scotland, Animal Health and Welfare Act
Northern Ireland, Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland)