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

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

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

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

Topic 2.10 Canine Communication Across Different Life Stages, Individual Circumstances and Developmental Experiences

Topic 2.11 Understanding Canine Communication in Multi-Species and Human Social Contexts

Topic 2.12 Canine Communication Assessment: Observing, Recording and Interpreting Behaviour

Topic 2.13 Supporting Positive Canine Communication Through Environment, Management and Human Behaviour

Topic 2.14 Canine Communication, Welfare and Ethical Human Interaction

Module 3 – Common Canine Behaviour Concerns and Positive Behaviour Support

Topic 3.1 Understanding Behaviour Concerns: Moving Beyond Labels

Topic 3.2 Common Behaviour Concerns in Companion Dogs: Understanding Causes and Supporting Change

Topic 3.3 Fear, Anxiety, Stress and Reactivity in Companion Dogs

Topic 3.4 Aggression and Defensive Behaviour in Companion Dogs: Understanding Risk, Communication and Support

Topic 3.5 Separation-Related Behaviours in Companion Dogs: Understanding Distress, Attachment and Support

Topic 3.6 Canine Compulsive Behaviours and Repetitive Behaviours in Companion Dogs

Topic 3.7 Resource Guarding and Possessive Behaviours in Companion Dogs

Topic 3.8 Canine Toileting, House Training and Elimination Behaviours

Topic 3.9 Leash Behaviour, Pulling and Walking Challenges in Companion Dogs

Topic 3.10 Jumping, Mouthing and Overexcitement in Companion Dogs

Topic 3.11 Common Puppy and Adolescent Behaviour Challenges: Development, Learning and Support

Topic 3.12 Canine Play Behaviour, Social Interaction and Appropriate Play Skills

Topic 3.13 Canine Attention-Seeking, Demand Behaviours and Learned Responses

Topic 3.14 Canine Stereotypical Behaviours, Boredom and Enrichment Needs

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

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

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

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

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

Policy & Procedure

Husbandry Manual

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