Goal setting is a central component of occupational therapy practice because it provides direction for intervention, supports shared decision-making and allows outcomes to be evaluated over time.

Within assistance animal practice, goals are particularly important because the intervention involves a significant long-term commitment between a person and a living animal.

A vague goal such as:

“I want an assistance dog to help me.”

does not provide enough information to determine:

• what problem is being addressed;
• what change is expected;
• whether an assistance animal is appropriate;
• whether the partnership is successful.

Effective goal setting requires moving from general hopes towards clearly defined occupational outcomes.

The focus should always remain:

What meaningful change does this person want to achieve in their life?

rather than:

What tasks can we teach the animal?

Why Goals Matter in Assistance Animal Practice

Clear goals provide the foundation for:

• clinical reasoning;
• intervention planning;
• communication between professionals;
• measuring outcomes;
• reviewing effectiveness.

Without clearly identified goals, assistance animal recommendations risk becoming based on:

• assumptions;
• popular task lists;
• diagnosis stereotypes;
• expectations created through social media;
• what an animal can do rather than what the person needs.

A goal provides the link between:

Person → Occupational barrier → Assistance animal role → Outcome

From Broad Goals to Functional Outcomes

People often begin with broad goals.

Examples:

“I want to be more independent.”

“I want to feel safer.”

“I want my child to cope better.”

“I want my dog to help me in public.”

These statements are meaningful but require further exploration.

The occupational therapist helps translate them into specific occupational outcomes.

For example:

Broad goal:

“I want to be more independent.”

Occupational exploration:

Independent doing what?

Possible areas:

• preparing meals;
• travelling;
• attending appointments;
• managing routines;
• participating socially.

Functional goal:

“I want to independently complete my morning routine so I can attend work consistently.”

The assistance animal role can then be considered in relation to that outcome.

SMART Goals in Assistance Animal Practice

SMART goals provide a framework for developing goals that are:

Specific

The goal clearly identifies what occupation or participation outcome is being addressed.

Instead of:

“Improve confidence.”

Consider:

“Increase participation in community activities.”

Measurable

The outcome should allow progress to be reviewed.

Measurement may include:

• frequency;
• duration;
• level of assistance;
• participation opportunities;
• self-rated confidence;
• functional performance.

Achievable

Goals should reflect realistic outcomes.

An assistance animal can provide meaningful support, but it cannot:

• remove all disability-related challenges;
• replace all other supports;
• guarantee independence in every situation.

Goals must reflect what is realistically possible.

Relevant

Goals should relate directly to what matters to the person.

A task may be technically possible but irrelevant if it does not improve meaningful participation.

Time-Based

Goals should include a timeframe for review.

This supports:

• monitoring progress;
• adjusting intervention;
• determining whether the partnership remains effective.

Examples of Assistance Animal Goals

Example 1: Community Participation

Initial statement:

“I want my assistance dog because I cannot go out.”

Occupational exploration:

The person wants to:

• attend local shops;
• access healthcare appointments;
• participate in community activities.

Functional goal:

“Within six months, the person will increase participation in identified community activities using appropriate supports, including their assistance animal where clinically indicated.”

The focus is participation.

The dog is the intervention, not the goal.

Example 2: Education Participation

Initial statement:

“I need my dog for school.”

Occupational exploration:

The goal may relate to:

• remaining in class;
• managing transitions;
• accessing learning activities.

Functional goal:

“The student will increase participation in classroom routines by using identified supports that address disability-related barriers.”

The assistance animal is considered as one possible support.

Example 3: Daily Living

Initial statement:

“My dog helps me at home.”

Occupational exploration:

The person wants to:

• complete household routines;
• manage daily activities;
• increase autonomy.

Functional goal:

“The person will improve participation in identified daily living occupations through appropriate environmental and personal supports.”

Avoiding Goals That Are Actually Animal Tasks

A common mistake is writing goals around the animal rather than the person.

Examples of task statements:

“Dog will perform deep pressure.”
“Dog will retrieve objects.”
“Dog will interrupt behaviour.”

These are not occupational goals.

They are possible intervention strategies.

A more appropriate approach is:

“The person will improve participation in identified occupations through disability-related assistance provided by their trained assistance animal.”

Goals Should Not Promise Outcomes the Animal Cannot Guarantee

Assistance animal practice requires realistic expectations.

Goals should avoid implying that an animal will:

• cure symptoms;
• eliminate disability;
• prevent all distress;
• replace professional treatment;
• guarantee safety.

For example:

Unrealistic goal:

“The dog will stop all anxiety episodes.”

More appropriate:

“The assistance animal will support the person to implement strategies that improve participation during identified situations.”

Considering the Animal Within Goal Development

Because assistance animals are living beings, goals must also consider animal welfare.

A goal should not create unreasonable expectations for the animal.

Consider:

• Is this task appropriate for an animal?
• Is the workload reasonable?
• Can the animal perform this role safely?
• Does the partnership support mutual wellbeing?

The best goals support both:

• human occupational outcomes;
• animal welfare.

Reviewing and Updating Goals Over Time

Occupational goals change.

A person’s:

• disability;
• environment;
• life roles;
• priorities;
• health;
• support needs;

may change over the lifespan of the partnership.

Therefore, goals should be reviewed regularly.

Questions include:

• Is the assistance animal still supporting the intended outcome?
• Are tasks still relevant?
• Have new occupational needs emerged?
• Does the partnership remain beneficial?

A successful partnership is not static.

It evolves with the person.

The Role of Shared Decision-Making in Goal Setting

Goals should be developed collaboratively.

The person contributes:

• lived experience;
• priorities;
• values;
• desired outcomes.

The occupational therapist contributes:

• clinical reasoning;
• occupational analysis;
• evidence-informed guidance.

The trainer contributes:

• knowledge of animal learning;
• feasibility of task development.

Together, the team determines realistic goals.

Key Practice Principles

1. Goals Should Describe Human Outcomes, Not Animal Behaviours

The purpose of the assistance animal is improved participation.

2. Start With Meaningful Occupation

The person’s priorities guide goal development.

3. Tasks Are Intervention Strategies

They are not the goal themselves.

4. Goals Must Be Realistic

Assistance animals provide support; they do not eliminate disability.

5. Outcomes Must Be Measurable

Progress should be reviewed over time.

6. Goals Must Consider Animal Welfare

A sustainable partnership benefits both members.

7. Goals Change Across the Lifespan

Assistance animal partnerships require ongoing review.

Effective goal setting ensures assistance animal recommendations remain grounded in occupational therapy principles. By focusing on meaningful, measurable human outcomes rather than simply listing animal tasks, occupational therapists support partnerships that are purposeful, sustainable and centred on genuine improvements in participation.