Topic 3.6 Emergency Preparedness Through Cooperative Care Training

Emergency preparedness involves more than assembling equipment and supplies. Assistance animals should also be proactively trained to participate calmly and safely in emergency procedures using cooperative care techniques and positive reinforcement. Cooperative care aims to teach animals to voluntarily participate in husbandry, veterinary care and emergency handling wherever possible, reducing stress for both the animal and the people assisting them.

Many emergency situations require an animal to respond immediately to unfamiliar people, equipment or environments. Practising these skills well before an emergency occurs increases the likelihood of a safe and efficient evacuation while reducing the risk of injury to the handler, emergency responders and the animal. Occupational therapists should encourage handlers to work with appropriately qualified trainers to develop these skills as part of the animal’s routine training rather than waiting until an emergency occurs.

Depending on the species and working role, emergency preparedness training may include teaching the animal to:

• Respond immediately to its name or recall cue.
• Perform an emergency stop, stay or wait cue.
• Immediately release dangerous or inappropriate objects from its mouth (e.g., “drop”, “give” or similar cue where appropriate for the species).
• Walk calmly on a lead, harness or other appropriate restraint.
• Enter a transport crate, carrier, travel cage or trailer on cue without hesitation.
• Remain calm and settled within the transport enclosure until released.
• Comfortably wear a well-fitted basket muzzle where appropriate for the species.
• Accept handling by unfamiliar people, including emergency responders and veterinary personnel and those wearing unusual clothing (e.g. boots, masks, helmets, overalls).
• Tolerate routine examination, lifting or assisted movement where appropriate.
• Become familiar with emergency vehicles, evacuation equipment and unfamiliar environments.

Training should occur gradually in low-stress environments using reward-based methods and be reinforced throughout the animal’s working life. Where possible, handlers should periodically rehearse evacuation procedures using the same transport equipment, crates, trailers, emergency kits and vehicles that would be used during a real emergency. Regular practice builds confidence, improves welfare and helps ensure both the handler and assistance animal can respond effectively during high-stress situations.

Species-Specific Emergency Considerations

Although assistance dogs are the most common type of assistance animal, occupational therapists may also work with miniature horses and, in some jurisdictions, other trained assistance animals. Every species has unique biological, behavioural and husbandry requirements that influence emergency planning. Evacuation methods, transport equipment, environmental hazards and temporary housing differ considerably between species, meaning emergency plans should always be individualised rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

Occupational therapists should work collaboratively with handlers to ensure emergency plans consider not only the animal’s physical safety, but also how maintaining the assistance animal partnership supports the person’s functional independence, communication, emotional regulation, orientation and participation during and after an emergency.

Dogs

Assistance dogs generally adapt well to emergency situations when they have been appropriately prepared through training and gradual exposure. Emergency preparedness should include ensuring the dog wears current identification tags, has an up-to-date microchip registration and is accustomed to travelling in a variety of vehicles, including private vehicles, taxis, public transport and, where relevant, aircraft or ferries.

Dogs should be positively conditioned to comfortably wear a well-fitted basket muzzle, as emergency responders or veterinary personnel may need to handle the dog during periods of pain, fear or confusion. Even the most reliable assistance dog may bite if severely injured or frightened. Familiarity with a basket muzzle reduces stress for both the animal and emergency personnel while allowing the dog to pant, drink and receive treats.

Where appropriate, dogs should also be comfortable entering transport crates or kennels, walking on unfamiliar surfaces, using ramps or lifts and being temporarily separated from their handler if emergency medical treatment or evacuation requires this. Practising these skills before an emergency can substantially reduce anxiety and improve safety for both members of the assistance animal partnership.

Emergency supplies should include the dog’s regular food, medications, spare leads, harnesses, identification, waste disposal bags, familiar bedding and comfort items to assist with behavioural regulation during displacement.

Miniature Horses

Miniature horse assistance animals present unique emergency planning considerations because of their size, transport requirements and husbandry needs. Unlike dogs, evacuation generally requires access to facilities capable of safely accommodating equids.

Emergency plans should identify evacuation destinations before an emergency occurs, including friends’ properties, agistment facilities, veterinary hospitals or emergency livestock evacuation centres where horses are permitted. Suitable transport should be available or pre-arranged, recognising that road closures may limit access during bushfires, floods or severe storms.

Handlers should maintain well-fitting halters and lead ropes specifically for emergency use and ensure horses are comfortable loading into trailers under calm conditions rather than attempting training during a disaster.

In addition to permanent identification such as microchips, photographs and registration records, many horse owners write a contact telephone number directly onto the horse’s hooves using a permanent marker or livestock crayon immediately before a predicted emergency. Hooves often remain intact even if halters or identification tags become separated during evacuation, increasing the likelihood of successful reunification.

Emergency supplies should include feed appropriate for the horse, water, medications, first aid equipment, hoof care supplies and copies of veterinary records. Plans should also account for horses requiring specialist farriery, mobility supports or ongoing veterinary treatment.

Parrots

Parrots are particularly susceptible to environmental emergencies because of their highly efficient respiratory systems. Smoke, toxic fumes and airborne particulates can rapidly cause severe respiratory compromise, often before visible signs become obvious. Early evacuation is therefore especially important during bushfires, structural fires or chemical incidents.

Parrots should be positively trained to calmly enter a secure travel cage on cue to minimise stress during emergencies. The travel cage should provide adequate ventilation while preventing escape and protecting the bird from injury during transport.

Where evacuation is delayed and it is safe to remain temporarily, parrots should be moved to the cleanest air available. If recommended by emergency services and appropriate to the circumstances, a damp towel or other breathable damp fabric may be loosely draped over part of the travel cage to help reduce smoke and airborne ash entering the enclosure while maintaining adequate ventilation. The cage should never be completely covered, as unrestricted airflow remains essential.

During evacuation and temporary accommodation, parrots should be protected from temperature extremes, direct sunlight, cold exposure and unnecessary stress. Food, water and any specialised dietary requirements should be readily available during prolonged displacement.

Other Assistance Animal Species

Occupational therapists may occasionally work with assistance animals from less commonly represented species. Rather than relying on general recommendations, emergency planning should be developed on an individual basis in consultation with the handler, veterinarian, trainer and other appropriately qualified professionals familiar with the species.

Individual emergency plans should consider the animal’s biological, behavioural and environmental needs, including transport requirements, methods of restraint, environmental conditions, behavioural responses to stress, dietary requirements, medications, identification methods, housing requirements and access to emergency veterinary care. Planning should also account for the handler’s disability, the tasks performed by the assistance animal and any adjustments required to maintain the partnership during evacuation or temporary accommodation.

Regardless of species, emergency plans should be reviewed regularly and updated whenever there are changes to the handler’s health, the animal’s health, living arrangements, travel patterns or emergency contacts. Thorough preparation before an emergency occurs significantly improves safety, animal welfare and continuity of occupational participation for both members of the assistance animal partnership.