Audience: Current or prospective Working Animal handlers, or their allies and team members (e.g. trainers, occupational therapists, support workers, etc)
Prerequisite: Nil
Goal:
Equip handlers, allies, and team members with the knowledge, practical skills, and confidence to support both human and animal welfare in training, handling, and public access contexts. The course emphasises inclusive practices, respectful interactions, and strategies to prevent and address stress, conflict, and bullying, ensuring safe, ethical, and welfare-focused care for assistance animals.
Length:
This course typically takes 2–4 hours to complete, depending on engagement with activities and reflection exercises.
CPD:
Completing this course earns 1 CPD unit for WAFA members.
Availability: Tier 1.
Cost: Free
Support:
WAFA experts are available in our members’ Facebook group to provide discussion, guidance, and peer support throughout the course. For individual needs, reasonable adjustments, or questions, you can email admin@workinganimals.com.
Disclaimer:
The content in this course is educational and not a substitute for professional advice or support. It is designed to promote the welfare, health, and ethical handling of working animals, and to encourage safe, inclusive team practices, but it may not cover every situation or condition. Participants are encouraged to consult licensed professionals—including veterinarians, lawyers, mental health practitioners, or police—where appropriate for personalised guidance. WAFA and course contributors are not liable for outcomes resulting from reliance on course content. Participants are responsible for applying the content safely, ethically, and appropriately with their own animals and in their professional practice.
Course Objectives
By completing this course, participants will:
Foster inclusive, low-stress environments: Promote respectful, collaborative, and supportive team cultures that benefit both humans and animals.
- Recognise and respond to bullying or conflict: Identify subtle or overt bullying, interpersonal tension, or unsafe behaviours, and act appropriately to protect human wellbeing and animal welfare.
- Apply positive reinforcement principles: Encourage respectful communication, constructive feedback, and recognition of others’ contributions within teams.
Practical Outcomes
- Intervene or escalate situations of bullying, conflict, or unsafe practice in a structured, evidence-based way.
- Integrate kindness, respect, and inclusivity into everyday interactions using the “Kind is Cool” principles.
- Promote a culture of continuous learning and wellbeing in team environments, enhancing training outcomes and animal welfare.
Assessment: Each module contains a reflective activity to consolidate learning, and a final reflective assignment. Some people like to keep their reflections private, while others find it helpful to talk things through or share ideas. If you’d like to do that, WAFA experts, ambassadors and other allies are available in the members Facebook group for discussion, questions, and peer support.
Award: Upon successful completion of all modules and final assignment, participants will receive a digital certificate and badge.
