Animals – Wellbeing and Engagement

Specific requirements for wellbeing and engagement dogs

There are additional requirements and considerations when dogs are used for animal-assisted wellbeing or engagement programs.

Animal handling requirements

Schools and animal handlers must ensure the following requirements are met:

• Dogs must be under the supervision of their animal handler at all times. A dog must not be unsupervised or alone with students.
• The animal handler must be trained to ensure that they have appropriate knowledge of animal handling and animal welfare. This includes knowledge about their specific animal’s breed and character and ability to identify signs of ageing, fear, stress and discomfort. It is recommended that one additional person may be trained to also act as animal handler. No other person can work with students with the dog in their absence.
• The animal handler must monitor the dog’s behaviour for signs of discomfort or stress while at school. To reduce stress, the dog must be provided with regular breaks.
• The animal handler must monitor the dog’s behaviour for signs that it is no longer suited to participating in school-based activities.

Animal welfare requirements for school-owned wellbeing and engagement dogs

Schools and animal handlers must familiarise themselves with the Code of Practice for the Private Keeping of Dogs and ensure that the requirements for dogs are met, including:

• Food: dogs must be fed a diet that provides proper and sufficient food to maintain good health and meet their physiological requirements. In a school context, the animal handler must ensure the dog is not overfed or given inappropriate food by staff or students.
• Water: dogs must have access to clean drinking water. Water containers must be checked daily and maintained in a clean condition.
• Welfare, health and disease: a dog's health and welfare must be checked daily. Veterinary advice must be promptly sought for dogs showing signs of injury, ill health or prolonged distress. Dogs must be treated regularly for internal and external parasites and vaccinated against common diseases.
• Loud events: many dogs are fearful of fireworks and thunderstorms and if the dog is fearful of these situations it must be housed or confined securely during these events to avoid injury or stress.
• Housing: dogs must be provided with a weatherproof sleeping area and shelter from sun, wind and rain. Each dog must have its own sleeping area and food bowl.
• Exercise: dogs need to be given adequate daily exercise

Welfare, health and disease

A handler has the following responsibilities:

• ensuring that the dog receives routine healthcare treatments including:
  • routine veterinarian check ups
  • microchipping
  • vaccinations
  • de-sexing
  • veterinarian dental treatment
  • hygiene services by an appropriately qualified contractor (such as nail clipping, washing and grooming)
• immediately taking the dog to receive appropriate healthcare treatment from a veterinarian if the dog shows signs or behaviours indicating illness or injury.