Spotlight on Comprehensive Medical Assessment Before Selection

Behavioural suitability is only one component of assistance animal selection. Regardless of an animal’s breed, pedigree, age, previous health history or apparent fitness, every prospective assistance animal should undergo a comprehensive veterinary assessment before being accepted into training. Medical screening protects both the welfare of the animal and the long-term success of the assistance animal partnership by identifying health conditions that may compromise training, working ability or quality of life.

Many orthopaedic, neurological, ophthalmic and systemic diseases develop gradually or may not be obvious during routine physical examination. Some animals appear clinically healthy despite underlying disease, while others may have inherited conditions that become apparent only after specialised diagnostic testing. Comprehensive medical screening allows these conditions to be identified before substantial time, financial resources and emotional investment have been committed to training.

Importantly, medical assessment should never be reserved only for animals considered “high risk.” Every prospect should undergo the same minimum assessment protocol, ensuring consistency, fairness and evidence-informed decision making. This approach reduces bias, promotes transparency and supports objective selection standards across all assistance animal programs.

The Purpose of Medical Screening

Medical assessment aims to:

• identify existing disease or injury
• detect inherited or congenital conditions
• evaluate physical suitability for the anticipated workload
• establish a baseline for future health monitoring
• identify conditions requiring treatment before training
• determine whether modifications to training or placement are required
• protect the long-term welfare of the animal
• reduce the likelihood of preventable early retirement.

Medical screening is not intended to identify “perfect” animals. Rather, it provides the interdisciplinary team with sufficient information to determine whether the animal can safely and comfortably perform the expected occupational role throughout its working life.

Components of a Comprehensive Assessment

The extent of veterinary assessment will vary depending on the animal’s age, species, breed, medical history and intended role. However, comprehensive screening commonly includes:

General Physical Examination

A complete veterinary examination should assess body condition, cardiovascular and respiratory health, neurological function, musculoskeletal soundness, dentition, skin and coat health, vision, hearing and overall physical fitness. The examination should also review vaccination status, parasite prevention, reproductive history and current medications.

Laboratory Testing

Routine laboratory screening assists in identifying underlying systemic disease that may not be clinically apparent.

Depending on the individual animal, this may include:

• complete blood count (CBC)
• serum biochemistry profile
• electrolyte assessment
• urinalysis
• urine culture where indicated
• faecal examination
• infectious disease screening where appropriate.

These investigations help identify conditions such as kidney disease, liver disease, endocrine disorders, urinary tract disease, infection and metabolic abnormalities.

Diagnostic Imaging

Imaging provides valuable information regarding structural health and may identify abnormalities before clinical signs develop.

Depending on the individual animal and anticipated workload, imaging may include:

• hip radiographs
• elbow radiographs
• shoulder radiographs
• spinal imaging
• stifle radiographs
• thoracic radiographs
• abdominal ultrasound
• echocardiography where indicated
• advanced imaging such as CT or MRI in selected cases.

Orthopaedic imaging is particularly important for animals expected to undertake physically demanding work throughout a prolonged working career.

Orthopaedic Assessment

In addition to diagnostic imaging, comprehensive assessment should evaluate:

• gait
• posture
• weight distribution
• joint range of motion
• muscle symmetry
• ligament stability
• pain responses
• evidence of previous injury
• functional movement.

Where appropriate, referral to a veterinary rehabilitation practitioner, sports medicine veterinarian or veterinary orthopaedic specialist may provide additional information regarding long-term physical suitability.

Ophthalmic and Auditory Assessment

Normal vision and hearing are essential for many assistance animal roles. Formal assessment should be undertaken where clinically indicated or where breed-specific conditions are recognised.

Although some dogs with sensory impairments have successfully performed specific forms of assistance work—for example, deaf dogs trained using visual or tactile cues—WAFA generally does not support the intentional selection or training of dogs with known impairments for assistance animal roles. Assistance animals are expected to safely navigate complex, dynamic and often unpredictable environments over many years, and reduced sensory function may increase risks to both the animal and the handler, particularly in public access settings. While exceptional circumstances may exist where a sensory-impaired dog can work successfully and maintain excellent welfare, these situations should be considered on a case-by-case basis following comprehensive veterinary, behavioural and welfare assessment. Deliberately selecting an animal with a known sensory impairment when equally suitable healthy candidates are available is generally considered inconsistent with contemporary welfare-first and ethical selection principles.

Genetic Testing

DNA testing can identify inherited disorders for many breeds and may provide valuable information regarding disease risk. However, DNA testing should complement—not replace—comprehensive veterinary assessment. Many medical conditions cannot currently be detected through genetic testing alone, while environmental factors also influence long-term health.

Interpreting Assessment Results

Medical screening should always be interpreted in context. A single abnormality does not necessarily exclude an animal from assistance work, just as normal test results do not guarantee a successful working career.

Selection decisions should consider:

• the significance of any abnormal findings
• the anticipated physical demands of the intended role
• the likelihood of disease progression
• available treatment options
• expected quality of life
• welfare implications
• the client’s individual support needs.

In some cases, an animal may be suitable for a less physically demanding assistance role, a therapy role or as a companion animal rather than an assistance animal. In others, treatment or rehabilitation may be appropriate before reassessment.

Practice Example

A trainer assessed a two-year-old Labrador Retriever that demonstrated excellent temperament, motivation and public access skills during behavioural assessment. The dog appeared physically fit and had no obvious signs of illness. As part of WAFA’s standard selection protocol, the dog underwent comprehensive veterinary screening, including blood testing, urinalysis, hip and elbow radiographs and abdominal ultrasound. Although the physical examination was unremarkable, diagnostic imaging identified early elbow pathology that was unlikely to be apparent during routine movement assessments but was expected to progress with sustained physical work. Following consultation with the veterinary team, the trainer determined that the dog should not enter an assistance animal program requiring daily public access and repetitive physical activity. Instead, the dog was rehomed into an active companion home where its long-term welfare could be protected. Without comprehensive medical assessment, the condition may not have been identified until the dog developed pain or lameness during training.

Occupational Therapy Considerations

Occupational therapists should understand that comprehensive medical assessment is a fundamental component of evidence-informed assistance animal selection. Behavioural suitability alone is insufficient if an animal has underlying medical conditions that may compromise welfare or reduce its capacity to perform occupational tasks over time. OTs should collaborate with veterinarians, trainers and other members of the interdisciplinary team to ensure that health screening is completed before selection decisions are finalised. Supporting a standardised medical assessment process for every prospect—regardless of breed, pedigree, age or apparent health—helps promote ethical practice, informed decision making and sustainable assistance animal partnerships.