Module 2 – Occupational Profile and Person-Centred Assessment

Effective assistance animal assessment begins with understanding the person before considering the intervention.

This module focuses on the occupational profile as the foundation of person-centred assessment. Learners will explore how disability, identity, environment, culture, strengths, goals and lived experience influence occupational participation and intervention needs.

An assistance animal should never be considered in isolation from the individual’s life context. The same animal role may have very different meanings and outcomes for different people depending on their circumstances, values, support systems and occupational priorities.

This module develops advanced skills in exploring the person’s occupational narrative while recognising diversity, intersectionality and the importance of culturally safe practice. Learners will examine how occupational therapists gather meaningful information to determine whether an assistance animal aligns with the person’s goals and broader life participation.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, learners will be able to:

1. Develop a comprehensive occupational profile relevant to assistance animal assessment.
2. Critically analyse how diagnosis, disability identity and lived experience influence occupational needs without assuming assistance animal suitability.
3. Evaluate the role of personal values, culture, identity and intersectionality in assistance animal decision-making.
4. Apply person-centred and strengths-based approaches when exploring assistance animal goals.
5. Analyse environmental factors that may influence the success or sustainability of a human–animal partnership.
6. Demonstrate culturally responsive assessment approaches that respect diversity while maintaining professional standards.