Selecting an assistance animal is an interdisciplinary process requiring input from professionals with expertise in animal behaviour, training, veterinary medicine and the person’s disability-related needs. No single profession possesses all the knowledge and skills required to determine whether an animal is suitable for assistance work or whether an assistance animal is the most appropriate intervention for an individual.

Occupational therapists contribute valuable expertise regarding occupational performance, functional goals, environmental demands and person-centred intervention planning. However, they do not assess canine health, determine behavioural suitability or train assistance animals. Likewise, assistance animal trainers and veterinarians rely on information provided by occupational therapists to understand the functional needs of the individual and the outcomes the partnership is intended to achieve.

Collaborative decision-making enables each professional to contribute within their scope of practice, supporting evidence-informed, ethical and welfare-focused selection decisions. This interdisciplinary approach also helps ensure assistance animal partnerships are appropriate for both the handler and the animal.

This topic explores the roles and responsibilities of different professionals involved in assistance animal selection and highlights the importance of collaborative practice throughout the selection process.

Assistance Animal Selection Requires Multiple Areas of Expertise

Selecting an assistance animal involves consideration of numerous factors including physical health, structural soundness, behaviour, temperament, learning ability, disability-related task requirements and long-term welfare. Because these areas extend across multiple disciplines, effective selection depends upon collaboration between appropriately qualified professionals.

Each member of the interdisciplinary team contributes a unique perspective, helping to ensure decisions are comprehensive, evidence-informed and centred on the needs of both the handler and the animal.

The Role of Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapists contribute expertise regarding the individual’s occupational performance, functional goals and participation needs.

During the selection process, occupational therapists may assist by:

• identifying occupational performance challenges
• determining whether an assistance animal aligns with the person’s goals
• describing disability-related task requirements
• considering environmental and lifestyle factors
• collaborating with assistance animal professionals regarding functional outcomes
• supporting clients to make informed decisions.

Occupational therapists should not independently determine whether a particular animal is suitable for assistance work, nor should they provide advice beyond their professional competence regarding training, behaviour or veterinary health.

The Role of Assistance Animal Professionals

Assistance animal professionals are responsible for assessing, selecting and training animals for assistance work.

Depending on their qualifications and role, they may:

• evaluate temperament and behaviour
• conduct aptitude assessments
• assess working suitability
• develop and implement training programs
• determine public access readiness
• monitor welfare throughout training and placement.

Their expertise complements the occupational therapist’s understanding of the client’s functional needs.

The Role of Veterinarians

Veterinarians contribute expertise regarding the animal’s physical health, inherited disease, pain, fitness and long-term welfare.

They may:

• perform comprehensive health examinations
• recommend breed-specific health screening
• diagnose and manage medical conditions
• monitor health throughout the animal’s working life
• provide advice regarding retirement or medical withdrawal from work.

Veterinary assessment forms an essential component of evidence-informed assistance animal selection.

Collaborative Decision-Making

Effective assistance animal selection depends on open communication between professionals, the client and, where appropriate, family members or support people.

Sharing information allows the team to balance:

• the functional needs of the client
• the physical and behavioural capabilities of the animal
• welfare considerations
• environmental demands
• long-term sustainability.

This collaborative approach reduces the likelihood of inappropriate placements and supports better outcomes for everyone involved.

Respecting Professional Scope of Practice

Each professional involved in assistance animal selection should practise within their recognised scope of competence.

Occupational therapists should avoid making recommendations about canine behaviour, veterinary health or training methods unless they hold additional recognised qualifications in those areas. Similarly, assistance animal trainers should not provide occupational therapy recommendations or make decisions regarding clinical interventions outside their own expertise.

Recognising professional boundaries strengthens interdisciplinary relationships and promotes safe, ethical practice.

Occupational Therapy Considerations

Occupational therapists play a vital role in identifying how an assistance animal may support occupational performance, independence and participation. By working collaboratively with assistance animal professionals, veterinarians and other members of the interdisciplinary team, occupational therapists help ensure selection decisions are based on the client’s functional needs while respecting the health, behaviour and welfare of the animal. Understanding professional roles and maintaining clear scope of practice supports evidence-informed, ethical and sustainable assistance animal partnerships.