Sustainability is a global responsibility that extends beyond environmental protection. It includes creating communities, systems and organisations that support the wellbeing of people, animals and the planet.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a global framework for addressing major social, environmental and economic challenges. Adopted by the United Nations in 2015, the SDGs consist of 17 interconnected goals designed to promote sustainable development worldwide.

While the SDGs were developed as a global framework, they are relevant to all sectors, including health, disability, education, animal welfare and community services.

Assistance animal practice aligns with many SDGs because it sits at the intersection of:

• disability inclusion;
• health and wellbeing;
• education;
• community participation;
• ethical practice;
• animal welfare;
• environmental responsibility; and
• social equity.

Understanding the SDGs allows assistance animal professionals to consider how their work contributes to broader community outcomes.

Understanding the Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals recognise that sustainability requires consideration of three interconnected areas:

Social Sustainability

Focused on:

• equity;
• inclusion;
• health;
• education;
• participation;
• human rights.

Environmental Sustainability

Focused on:

• protecting natural systems;
• reducing environmental impacts;
• responsible resource use;
• climate action.

Economic Sustainability

Focused on:

• responsible resource management;
• long-term organisational viability;
• ethical decision-making;
• sustainable systems.

Why the SDGs Are Relevant to Assistance Animal Practice

Assistance animals contribute to many areas of social sustainability by supporting:

• independence;
• participation;
• community access;
• wellbeing;
• inclusion;
• safety;
• connection.

However, sustainable assistance animal practice also requires consideration of:

• animal welfare;
• responsible organisational practices;
• environmental impacts;
• ethical service delivery;
• long-term sector development.

The SDGs provide a useful framework for recognising these broader contributions.

SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing

Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages

Assistance animals may contribute to health and wellbeing outcomes by supporting:

• occupational participation;
• independence;
• confidence;
• social connection;
• emotional wellbeing;
• daily functioning.

Within occupational therapy practice, assistance animals may support meaningful occupations and participation across areas such as:

• self-care;
• mobility;
• education;
• employment;
• community access;
• leisure.

Sustainable practice requires ensuring these benefits are achieved ethically, while also maintaining animal welfare.

SDG 4: Quality Education

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning

Assistance animal organisations contribute to education through:

• community awareness;
• handler education;
• professional development;
• public access education;
• workplace education.

Examples include:

• educating the community about assistance animal rights;
• developing resources for handlers;
• training professionals;
• sharing evidence-informed information.

Education supports sustainability by creating informed communities.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

While not always immediately recognised as an assistance animal issue, inclusion and equality are central to ethical practice.

Assistance animal professionals should consider:

• safety;
• accessibility;
• respectful communication;
• freedom from discrimination;
• equitable access to services.

Organisations should ensure that their systems support all people regardless of gender identity or background.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all

Assistance animal organisations contribute through:

• employment opportunities;
• professional development;
• ethical workplaces;
• workforce sustainability.

Sustainable workforce practices include:

• supporting worker wellbeing;
• preventing burnout;
• providing appropriate training;
• maintaining safe workplaces;
• valuing professional expertise.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Reduce inequality within and among countries

This SDG has strong relevance to assistance animal practice.

Assistance animals may support reduced inequality by improving:

• independence;
• access;
• participation;
• inclusion;
• community engagement.

Professionals contribute by promoting:

• disability rights;
• accessibility;
• inclusive practice;
• removal of barriers.

Sustainable assistance animal practice recognises disability inclusion as a human rights issue.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Assistance animal teams interact with:

• transport systems;
• workplaces;
• public spaces;
• community environments.

Sustainable communities require:

• accessibility;
• inclusive design;
• community awareness;
• safe participation.

Assistance animal professionals can contribute by promoting:

• public education;
• inclusive environments;
• understanding of access rights.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

This SDG strongly aligns with previous sustainability topics.

Assistance animal organisations can contribute through:

• sustainable procurement;
• waste reduction;
• equipment lifecycle management;
• responsible resource use;
• ethical supply chains.

Examples include:

• purchasing durable equipment;
• reducing unnecessary waste;
• selecting responsible suppliers;
• maintaining resources.

SDG 13: Climate Action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Assistance animal organisations can contribute through:

• reducing emissions;
• improving energy efficiency;
• sustainable transport planning;
• climate preparedness.

Climate action also requires considering:

• animal welfare during extreme weather;
• emergency planning;
• community resilience.

SDG 15: Life on Land

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems

This goal relates to responsible relationships between humans, animals and the environment.

Considerations include:

• responsible animal care;
• ethical breeding practices;
• biodiversity awareness;
• environmental responsibility.

Assistance animal organisations can support responsible stewardship through ethical animal management.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies and accountable institutions

Strong governance is essential for ethical assistance animal practice.

Organisations contribute through:

• transparent systems;
• accountability;
• complaints processes;
• ethical decision-making;
• responsible leadership.

Trustworthy organisations support sustainable sectors.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Strengthen partnerships to achieve sustainable development

Assistance animal practice relies on collaboration between:

• occupational therapists;
• trainers;
• veterinarians;
• researchers;
• disability professionals;
• advocacy organisations;
• communities.

Sustainable outcomes require interdisciplinary cooperation.

No single profession or organisation can achieve meaningful change alone.

Applying the SDGs to Assistance Animal Organisations

Organisations may use the SDGs to guide:

Strategic Planning

Considering:

• organisational values;
• community impact;
• sustainability priorities.

Policy Development

Including:

• sustainability policies;
• inclusion policies;
• ethical frameworks.

Education and Advocacy

Supporting:

• community awareness;
• professional education;
• rights education.

Service Improvement

Considering:

• client outcomes;
• animal welfare;
• environmental impacts.

Using the SDGs for Reflection and Improvement

Organisations may ask:

• How does our work contribute to community wellbeing?
• Are our services inclusive and accessible?
• How do we support animal welfare?
• Are our workplace practices sustainable?
• What environmental impacts can we improve?
• How do we contribute positively to our community?

These questions support reflective and future-focused practice.

The Role of Assistance Animal Professionals

Assistance animal professionals contribute to sustainability by recognising that their work affects interconnected systems.

Their responsibilities extend beyond individual services and include consideration of:

• people;
• animals;
• communities;
• organisations;
• environments;
• future generations.

Sustainable practice requires professionals to think broadly, act ethically and contribute to positive change.