Assistance Animals for Occupational Therapists (AAOT) Credential

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Introduction to the Assistance Animal Occupational Therapy (AAOT) Credential 35 Topics

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Welcome to WAFA, Postgraduate Learning and Professional Contribution

An Important Distinction

Learning, Support and Your AAOT Journey

Your AAOT Course Syllabus and Suggested Learning Journey

Learning to Learn

How Assessment and Competency Work in AAOT

Academic Integrity, Research Skills and Referencing

Artificial Intelligence, Academic Integrity and Responsible Learning

The AAOT Professional Portfolio

Capstone Project

AAOT Capstone Suggested Reading and Learning Resources

Professional Reflection

Animal and Human First Aid Equipment

Found, Injured, Stray, Trapped or At-Risk Animals

Nationally Accredited Training Prerequisites

Foundation Learning Beyond the Nationally Recognised Prerequisites

Foundation Topic 1 — An Introduction to Human Rights

Foundation Topic 2 — United Nations Human Rights Frameworks

Foundation Topic 3 — Human Rights Model of Disability

Foundation Topic 4 — Supported Decision-Making Practice Framework

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Unit 1. Work Health and Safety (WHS) in the Assistance Animal Industry 33 Topics

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WHS Learner Resources

Organisational Documentation and Task-Specific Safety Documents

AAOT WHS Template Library

Module 1 – Foundations of Workplace Health and Safety

Topic 1.1 Workplace Health and Safety Responsibilities in Assistance Animal Practice

Topic 1.2 WHS Legislative and Regulatory Framework for Assistance Animal Practice

Topic 1.3 Safe Practice Within Assistance Animal Settings

Topic 1.4 WHS Standards, Codes of Practice and Guidance Materials Relevant to Assistance Animal Practice

Topic 1.5 WHS Organisational Policies, Procedures and Safe Work Systems in Assistance Animal Practice

Topic 1.6 WHS Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control in Assistance Animal Practice

Module 2 – Implementing Safe Work Practices

Topic 2.1 WHS Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in Assistance Animal Practice

Spotlight on Hazardous Chemicals Management in Assistance Animal Practice

Topic 2.2 WHS Supporting Safe Work Practices

Topic 2.3 Workplace Health and Safety Education, Training and Competency Development

Module 3 – Consultation, Communication and Continuous Improvement

Topic 3.1 WHS Consultation and Collaboration in Assistance Animal Practice

Topic 3.2 Participating in Workplace Health and Safety Decision-Making and Continuous Improvement

Spotlight on Managing WHS Improvement Projects in Assistance Animal Practice

Topic 3.3 WHS Documentation and Record Keeping in Assistance Animal Practice

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Unit 2. Environmental Sustainability in the Assistance Animal Industry 42 Topics

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Topic 3.2 Sustainable Nutrition and Healthcare Management in Assistance Animal Practice

Topic 3.3 Sustainable Equipment Use and Lifecycle Management in Assistance Animal Practice

Topic 3.4 Sustainable Working Practices Across the Assistance Animal Lifespan

Topic 3.5 Sustainable Retirement and Lifelong Responsibility for Assistance Animals

Spotlight on Sustainable Animal Nutrition and Veterinary Care in Assistance Animal Practice

Module 4 – Human and Organisational Sustainability in Assistance Animal Practice

Topic 4.1 Sustainable Assistance Animal Handler Support

Topic 4.2 Workforce Sustainability and Professional Wellbeing in Assistance Animal Practice

Topic 4.3 Organisational Sustainability and Ethical Service Systems in Assistance Animal Practice

Topic 4.4 Sustainable Community Engagement and Public Awareness in Assistance Animal Practice

Spotlight on Environmental Ethics and Sustainability Decision-Making in Assistance Animal Practice

Module 5 – Sustainability Leadership and Future Directions in Assistance Animal Practice

Topic 5.1 Ethical Leadership for Sustainable Assistance Animal Practice

Topic 5.2 Advocacy, Education and Sustainable Community Change in Assistance Animal Practice

Topic 5.3 Innovation, Future Technologies and Sustainable Practice in Assistance Animal Practice

Topic 5.4 Sustainable Policy, Governance and Industry Accountability in Assistance Animal Practice

Spotlight on Sustainability Frameworks and Rating Tools in Assistance Animal Practice

Spotlight on ISO Management Systems in Assistance Animal Organisations

Topic 5.5 Future Directions and Building a Sustainable Assistance Animal Industry

Spotlight on Sustainability Frameworks, Environmental Management Systems and Rating Tools

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Unit 3. Infection Prevention, Biosecurity and One Health in the Assistance Animal Industry 30 Topics

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Module 1 – Foundations of Infection Prevention and One Health

Topic 1.1 Principles of Infection Prevention and Control

Topic 1.2 Understanding Microorganisms and Infectious Diseases

Topic 1.3 The Chain of Infection and Modes of Transmission

Topic 1.4 Zoonoses, Anthropozoonoses and One Health

Topic 1.5 The One Health Framework

Module 2 – Infection Prevention in Clinical and Community Practice

Topic 2.1 Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions

Topic 2.2 Hand Hygiene and Respiratory Hygiene

Topic 2.3 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Topic 2.4 Environmental Cleaning, Disinfection and Equipment Management

Topic 2.5 Managing Infectious Diseases, Exposure Incidents and Continuity of Care

Module 3 – Consultation, Communication and Risk Management

Topic 3.1 Infection Risk Assessment and Clinical Decision-Making

Topic 3.2 Consultation, Communication and Health Education

Topic 3.3 Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Referral

Topic 3.4 Documentation, Incident Reporting and Clinical Records

Topic 3.5 Reflective Practice, Continuous Quality Improvement and Professional Development

Module 4 – Biosecurity, Outbreak Management and Public Health

Topic 4.1 Understanding Biosecurity and Public Health

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Unit 4. Applied Canine Behaviour, Communication and Problem Solving in the Assistance Animal Industry 84 Topics

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Module 1 – Understanding Dogs as a Species and Their Natural Behaviours

Topic 1.1 The Evolutionary Relationship Between Dogs and Humans

Topic 1.2 How Dogs Experience the World: Canine Sensory Systems and Perception

Topic 1.3 Natural Canine Behaviours and Meeting Species-Specific Needs

Topic 1.4 Individual Differences in Dogs: Genetics, Temperament, Learning and Environment

Topic 1.5 Understanding Canine Social Behaviour and Human–Dog Interactions

Topic 1.6 Understanding Canine Emotions, Stress and Emotional Regulation

Topic 1.7 Behaviour as Communication: Understanding Why Dogs Behave

Topic 1.8 Supporting Canine Welfare Through Understanding Behavioural Needs

Topic 1.9 Recognising Normal Behaviour Versus Behavioural Concerns

Module 2 – Canine Communication and Body Language

Topic 2.1 The Language of Dogs: Understanding Canine Communication Systems

Topic 2.2 Canine Facial Expressions and Head Signals

Topic 2.3 Canine Body Posture and Movement: Reading the Whole Dog

Topic 2.4 Canine Tail Communication and Misinterpretations of Tail Signals

Topic 2.5 Canine Vocal Communication: Barking, Growling, Whining and Other Sounds

Topic 2.6 Canine Social Signals, Calming Behaviours and Conflict Avoidance

Topic 2.7 Canine Communication Misinterpretations and Common Myths

Topic 2.8 Canine Communication in Everyday Human Environments

Topic 2.9 Applying Canine Communication Knowledge to Safer and More Effective Interactions

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Unit 5. Assistance Animal Industry, Law, Ethics and Governance 145 Topics

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Module 1 – The Contemporary Assistance Animal Industry

Topic 1.1 Understanding the Contemporary Working Animal Industry

Topic 1.2 Assistance Animal Definitions, Categories and Terminology

Spotlight on Assistance Animal Teams, Handlers and Support Roles

Spotlight on the Assistance Animal Support Ecosystem: The Wider Partnership Network

Spotlight on Assistance Animal Training Pathways, Lifecycle Stages, Public Access and Team Status

Spotlight on Assistance Animal Industry Development, Standards, Accreditation and the Role of WAFA

Topic 1.3 Contemporary Assistance Dog Roles and Applications

Spotlight on Vision Assistance Dogs: Navigation, Orientation and Supporting Independent Mobility

Spotlight on Hearing Assistance Dogs: Supporting Auditory Awareness, Safety and Environmental Participation

Spotlight on Deafblind Assistance Dogs: Supporting Dual Sensory Access, Orientation and Independence

Spotlight on Sensory Processing Differences and Assistance Dogs: Supporting Regulation, Participation and Environmental Access

Spotlight on Neurodivergence and Assistance Dogs: Supporting Diverse Cognitive, Sensory and Functional Needs

Spotlight on Autism Assistance Dogs: Supporting Participation, Safety and Individualised Occupational Goals

Spotlight on Developmental Disabilities and Assistance Dogs: Supporting Lifelong Participation, Independence and Inclusion

Spotlight on Cognitive Disabilities and Assistance Dogs: Supporting Memory, Safety, Executive Function and Participation

Spotlight on Learning Disabilities and Assistance Dogs: Supporting Participation, Confidence and Functional Independence

Spotlight on Intellectual Disability and Assistance Dogs: Supporting Independence, Communication and Meaningful Participation

Spotlight on Neurological Disabilities and Assistance Dogs: Supporting Function, Independence and Participation Across the Lifespan

Spotlight on Speech and Communication Disabilities and Assistance Dogs: Supporting Communication Access, Participation and Autonomy

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Unit 6. Animal Behaviour, Welfare and Learning in the Assistance Animal Industry 28 Topics

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Module 1 – Foundations of Animal Behaviour and Welfare

Topic 1.1 Introduction to Animal Behaviour Science

Topic 1.2 Animal Welfare Science and Ethics

Topic 1.3 Animal Welfare Assessment Frameworks

Topic 1.4 Understanding Animal Emotions, Cognition and Stress

Topic 1.5 One Welfare and the Human–Animal Relationship

Module 2 – Learning Theory, Behaviour and Humane Training

Topic 2.1 Learning Theory

Topic 2.2 Classical and Operant Conditioning

2.3 Applying Learning Theory in Assistance Animal Training

Topic 2.4 Cooperative Care and Low-Stress Handling

Module 3 – Behaviour Assessment and Welfare Evaluation

Topic 3.1 Humane Training Methods and Behaviour Modification

Topic 3.2 Behaviour Observation and Recording

Topic 3.3 Behaviour Recording Methods and Assessment Tools

Topic 3.4 Behaviour Assessment and Functional Behaviour Analysis

Topic 3.5 Behavioural Indicators of Pain, Disease and Distress

Topic 3.6 Communicating Behaviour and Welfare Findings

Module 4 – Environmental Enrichment and Behavioural Husbandry

Topic 4.1 Environmental Enrichment and Behavioural Needs

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Unit 7. Animal Health, Veterinary Care and First Aid 50 Topics

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Module 1 – Foundations of Animal Health and Veterinary Care

Topic 1.1 Foundations of Animal Anatomy and Physiology

Topic 1.2 Physical Health, Behaviour and Welfare

Topic 1.3 Recognising Health, Illness and Injury

Topic 1.4 Preventative Healthcare Across the Lifespan

Topic 1.5 The Veterinary Team and Collaborative Practice

Module 2 – Animal Body Systems and Common Health Conditions

Topic 2.1 Musculoskeletal System

Topic 2.2 Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems

Topic 2.3 Gastrointestinal, Urinary and Reproductive Systems

Topic 2.4 Nervous, Endocrine and Immune Systems

Topic 2.5 Common Health Conditions Affecting Assistance Animals

Topic 2.6 Matching Assistance Animals to Handlers

Module 3 – Animal First Aid and Emergency Care

Topic 3.1 Principles of Animal First Aid

Topic 3.2 Responding to Medical Emergencies

Topic 3.3 Trauma, Wounds and Bleeding

Topic 3.4 Heat Stress, Poisoning and Environmental Emergencies

Topic 3.5 Emergency Preparedness, Transport and Veterinary Referral

Topic 3.6 Emergency Preparedness Through Cooperative Care Training

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Unit 8. Assistance Animal Selection, Training and Placement 121 Topics

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Module 1 – Principles of Assistance Animal Selection

Topic 1.1 Welfare-First Approach

Spotlight on Assistance Animals, Not Medical Equipment

Topic 1.2 – Selecting for Function Rather Than Appearance

Spotlight on Pretty Doesn’t Mean Practical

Topic 1.3 – Every Animal is an Individual

Spotlight on Working Drives and Motivation

Spotlight on Trainability, Biddability and Intelligence

Spotlight on Biddability: More Than Just Obedience

Topic 1.4 – Matching the Animal to the Intended Role

Spotlight on The Science of Assistance Animal Matching

Spotlight on Planning for Future Life Changes

Topic 1.5 – Evidence-Informed Selection

Spotlight on Evaluating Evidence and Social Media Claims

Topic 1.6 – Interdisciplinary Decision-Making

Spotlight on Roles Within the Assistance Animal Team

Topic 1.7 Legal, Ethical and Practical Considerations

Spotlight: Understanding Animal Taxonomy and Species Identification

Topic 1.8 – Selecting the Appropriate Breed

Spotlight on Dog Breed Groups, Breed Standards and Registration

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Unit 9. Occupational Therapy Assessment for Assistance Animals 88 Topics

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Module 1 – Foundations of Occupational Therapy Assessment for Assistance Animals

Topic 1.1 – Occupational Therapy Models

Spotlight on the Person–Environment–Occupation–Animal (PEOA) Framework

Spotlight on Moving Beyond the Medical Model of Disability

Spotlight on Occupational Justice and Assistance Animals

Spotlight on Occupational Justice, Equity and Access to Assistance Animals

Spotlight on the Assistance Animal as a Living Intervention Partner: Ethical, Welfare and Occupational Considerations

Spotlight on Applying Occupational Therapy Models to Intervention Selection

Module 2 – Occupational Profile and Person-Centred Assessment

Topic 1.2 Occupational Profile

Spotlight on Diagnosis Does Not Determine Assistance Animal Need

Spotlight on Lived Experience and Person-Centred Assessment

Spotlight on Occupational Narrative and Life Participation in Assistance Animal Assessment

Spotlight on Occupational Identity and Meaningful Participation

Spotlight on Strengths-Based Assessment

Spotlight on Environmental Fit and Contextual Assessment

Spotlight on Equipment Accessibility, Universal Design and Reasonable Adjustment

Module 3 – Functional Assessment and Human–Animal Partnership Evaluation

Topic 1.3 Functional Assessment

Spotlight on Diagnosis, Impairment, Activity and Participation: Understanding Functional Impact

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Unit 10. The Assistance Animal Profession 203 Topics

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Module 1. Intersectionality, Diversity and Inclusive Professional Practice in Assistance Animal Organisations

Topic 1.1 Understanding Diversity in Assistance Animal Organisations

Topic 1.2 Understanding Intersectionality in Assistance Animal Organisations

Spotlight on Gender and Sexuality Inclusion in Assistance Animal Organisations

Spotlight on Race and Ethnic Diversity in the Assistance Animal Industry

Spotlight on Culture, Spiritual and Religious Diversity in the Assistance Animal Industry

Spotlight on Socioeconomic Diversity in the Assistance Animal Industry

Spotlight on Disability Diversity in the Assistance Animal Industry

Topic 1.3 Intercultural Competence in Assistance Animal Organisations

Topic 1.4 Cultural Safety and Cultural Humility

Spotlight on Indigenous Cultural Safety

Topic 1.5 Inclusive Practice Across the Assistance Animal Journey

Spotlight on Invisible Disability

Spotlight on Trauma-Informed Inclusion

Topic 1.6 Bias, Assumptions and Inclusive Decision-Making

Spotlight on Common Cognitive and Professional Biases Affecting Assistance Animal Practice

Topic 1.7 Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice

Spotlight on Neuroaffirming Inclusion

Topic 1.8 Inclusive Service Design and Universal Design

Spotlight on Inclusive Language

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Capstone 3 Topics

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Policy & Procedure

Husbandry Manual

Spotlight on Industry Brands, Products and Resources Commonly Used in Companion Animal Practice

Assistance Animals for Occupational Therapists (AAOT) Credential

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