Assistance Animals for Occupational Therapists (AAOT) Credential

Introduction to the Assistance Animal Occupational Therapy (AAOT) Credential
35 Topics
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
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
Sustainability Learner Resources
Module 1 – Foundations of Environmental Sustainability in Assistance Animal Practice
Topic 1.1 Understanding Environmental Sustainability
Topic 1.2 Environmental Sustainability in the Assistance Animal Industry
Topic 1.3 Sustainability Responsibilities Within the Assistance Animal Industry
Topic 1.4 Sustainable and Ethical Service Delivery in Assistance Animal Practice
Spotlight on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Assistance Animal Practice
Module 2 – Sustainable Resource Management
Topic 2.1 Resource Efficiency in Assistance Animal Practice
Topic 2.2 Sustainable Procurement and Equipment Lifecycle Management
Topic 2.3 Waste Reduction and Waste Management in Assistance Animal Practice
Topic 2.4 Sustainable Cleaning and Chemical Management in Assistance Animal Practice
Topic 2.5 Sustainable Facilities and Environmental Design in Assistance Animal Practice
Topic 2.6 Energy Efficiency and Carbon Reduction in Assistance Animal Practice
Topic 2.7 Water Sustainability and Management in Assistance Animal Practice
Spotlight on Sustainable Procurement and Ethical Supply Chains in Assistance Animal Practice
Spotlight on Circular Economy and Equipment Lifecycle Management in Assistance Animal Practice
Spotlight on Climate Change and Working Animal Practice
Module 3 – Sustainable Animal Care Practices
Topic 3.1 Sustainable Animal Care
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Unit 3. Infection Prevention, Biosecurity and One Health in the Assistance Animal Industry
30 Topics
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Policy & Procedure
Husbandry Manual
Spotlight on Industry Brands, Products and Resources Commonly Used in Companion Animal Practice
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Unit 3. Infection Prevention, Biosecurity and One Health in the Assistance Animal Industry

Assistance Animals for Occupational Therapists (AAOT) Credential Unit 3. Infection Prevention, Biosecurity and One Health in the Assistance Animal Industry

This unit provides Occupational Therapists with a comprehensive understanding of infection prevention and control (IPC) principles within contemporary healthcare, community and assistance animal practice. Students examine the scientific foundations of infectious diseases, modes of transmission, microbiology, zoonoses and the One Health framework before exploring evidence-based infection prevention strategies applicable across diverse occupational therapy settings.

The unit examines standard and transmission-based precautions, environmental hygiene, personal protective equipment, risk assessment, communication, interdisciplinary collaboration and documentation before progressing to broader topics including biosecurity, outbreak management, emergency preparedness, public health, antimicrobial stewardship and organisational resilience. Students also explore the governance, legal, ethical and professional frameworks that underpin infection prevention, including clinical governance, leadership, quality improvement and professional accountability.

Throughout the unit, infection prevention is presented as an integral component of occupational therapy clinical reasoning rather than a standalone activity. Emphasis is placed on balancing infection prevention with occupational participation, person-centred care, disability inclusion and assistance animal practice through a One Health approach. Upon completion, Occupational Therapists will be equipped to implement evidence-based infection prevention strategies, contribute to organisational safety and quality systems, collaborate across disciplines and support safe, sustainable and inclusive occupational therapy services.

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