Nutrition and healthcare are essential components of responsible assistance animal care and have important sustainability considerations.

Assistance animals require appropriate nutrition, preventative healthcare and ongoing veterinary support to maintain their physical health, working ability and quality of life. These needs involve the use of resources, including:

• animal food,
• veterinary services,
• medications,
• supplements,
• healthcare products,
• packaging,
• transport,
• clinical resources.

Sustainable practice involves managing these resources responsibly while ensuring that animal welfare remains the priority.

Environmental sustainability does not mean reducing essential healthcare or selecting options based only on environmental impact or cost. Instead, sustainable healthcare management involves making informed decisions that balance:

• animal wellbeing,
• veterinary recommendations,
• resource efficiency,
• financial sustainability,
• environmental responsibility.

A healthy animal is more likely to experience a longer, higher-quality life, reducing avoidable health problems and supporting sustainable assistance animal partnerships.

Sustainable Nutrition Practices

Nutrition is one of the most consistent resource requirements throughout an assistance animal’s life.

Food production involves environmental impacts associated with:

• agricultural production,
• manufacturing,
• packaging,
• transport,
• storage,
• waste.

Sustainable nutrition practices consider how food resources are selected, purchased, stored and used while ensuring the animal receives appropriate nutrition.

Selecting Appropriate Nutrition

The most sustainable feeding approach is one that supports the individual animal’s health and nutritional needs.

Nutrition decisions should consider:

• age,
• breed,
• body condition,
• activity level,
• workload,
• health conditions,
• veterinary recommendations.

An inappropriate diet may contribute to:

• obesity,
• nutritional deficiencies,
• illness,
• reduced working ability.

Poor health outcomes may create additional resource demands through:

• increased veterinary care,
• medication,
• dietary changes,
• reduced working lifespan.

Appropriate nutrition supports both welfare and sustainability.

Reducing Food Waste

Food waste may occur through:

• purchasing excessive quantities,
• incorrect storage,
• expired products,
• unsuitable food selection,
• overfeeding.

Sustainable food management strategies include:

• purchasing appropriate quantities,
• monitoring consumption,
• storing food correctly,
• rotating stock,
• adjusting purchases as needs change.

Food should not be purchased simply because it is available or discounted if it is unlikely to be used.

Responsible Food Storage

Correct storage supports sustainability by reducing spoilage.

Considerations include:

• protecting food from moisture,
• preventing contamination,
• maintaining appropriate storage conditions,
• checking expiry dates.

Poor storage may result in:

• wasted food,
• unnecessary replacement,
• increased costs.

Sustainable Use of Supplements

Some assistance animals may require supplements as part of their health management.

Examples may include products supporting:

• joints,
• skin health,
• nutritional requirements.

Sustainable supplement use involves:

• selecting products based on need,
• following professional advice,
• avoiding unnecessary purchasing,
• preventing unused products from expiring.

A supplement should serve a clear purpose rather than being used simply because it is marketed as beneficial.

Veterinary Care and Sustainability

Veterinary care is essential to assistance animal welfare.

Sustainable veterinary care focuses on:

• preventative health,
• early intervention,
• responsible treatment decisions,
• maintaining long-term health.

Preventative healthcare may include:

• routine veterinary examinations,
• vaccination,
• parasite prevention,
• dental care,
• weight management,
• monitoring changes in health.

Preventative care can reduce avoidable illness and support better long-term outcomes.

The Environmental Impact of Veterinary Care

Veterinary services require resources including:

• medical equipment,
• medications,
• consumables,
• energy,
• transport.

However, reducing veterinary care to minimise environmental impact is not ethical or sustainable.

The goal is responsible healthcare management, including:

• preventing unnecessary illness,
• using treatments appropriately,
• disposing of healthcare waste correctly.

Medication Management

Medication use should be managed responsibly.

Sustainable practices include:

• obtaining appropriate quantities,
• storing medication correctly,
• preventing expired products,
• disposing of unused medication safely.

Unused medications should not be:

• flushed into waterways,
• disposed of incorrectly,
• retained beyond safe use.

Correct disposal protects:

• ecosystems,
• wildlife,
• communities.

Preventative Healthcare as Sustainability

Preventative healthcare supports sustainability by reducing avoidable health problems.

Examples include:

Weight Management

Maintaining appropriate body condition can reduce risks associated with:

• joint disease,
• mobility problems,
• reduced lifespan.

Dental Care

Preventative dental care may reduce:

• discomfort,
• infection risk,
• complex treatment needs.

Early Identification of Concerns

Recognising health changes early may prevent:

• worsening illness,
• emergency treatment,
• prolonged recovery.

Balancing Cost and Sustainability

Financial sustainability is an important consideration in assistance animal care.

Healthcare and nutrition costs may increase over time due to:

• inflation,
• ageing,
• changing health needs,
• specialist treatment requirements.

Responsible planning includes considering:

• routine expenses,
• unexpected veterinary costs,
• emergency care,
• future ageing needs.

However, financial limitations should not result in compromising essential welfare.

Sustainable partnerships require realistic planning before and throughout the animal’s working life.

Ageing and Long-Term Health Management

Assistance animals experience normal ageing processes and may develop changing needs.

Sustainable care requires adapting support as animals age.

Considerations may include:

• reduced workload,
• changes in nutrition,
• mobility support,
• increased veterinary monitoring,
• retirement planning.

A sustainable partnership recognises that the animal’s needs may change over time.

Supporting Health Through Lifestyle Management

Health sustainability is also influenced by daily lifestyle.

Important factors include:

• appropriate exercise,
• mental enrichment,
• adequate rest,
• stress management,
• healthy body condition.

Preventing problems through daily care is often more sustainable than responding only after problems occur.

Professional Responsibilities

Professionals supporting assistance animal teams should consider sustainability when providing advice about:

• nutrition,
• equipment,
• healthcare routines,
• workload,
• environmental management.

Recommendations should be:

• evidence-informed,
• individualised,
• practical,
• achievable.

Professionals should also recognise when referral is required, including consultation with:

• veterinarians,
• nutrition professionals,
• behaviour professionals,
• other specialists.

Key Practice Principle

Sustainable nutrition and healthcare management involves providing appropriate care while using resources responsibly.

The goal is not to reduce essential care, but to prevent unnecessary waste, support preventative health and make informed decisions that protect:

• the animal,
• the handler,
• the environment,
• the future sustainability of assistance animal partnerships.

Healthy animals, responsible resource use and ethical decision-making are central to sustainable assistance animal practice.