VETERINARY TEAM STUDIES: BEHAVIOUR AND TRAINING IN SMALL ANIMALS
AGR1BTA
Not currently offered
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This subject offers students a thorough and practical introduction to the basics of small animal behaviour and training at a level appropriate for veterinary team members. This will enable students to develop the underlying knowledge and basic skills required by small animal veterinary nurses to conduct puppy classes, and to advise owners on common behavioural and training problems. Students will learn to take a thorough history and to perform a careful behavioural #triage#, to enable a sound decision as to when veterinary intervention is required. Students will also develop the skills required to assist with behaviour modification as directed by veterinarians in the treatment of behavioural problems.
School: School of Life Sciences
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Damian Spencer
Available to Study Abroad Students: No
Subject year level: Year Level 1 - UG
Exchange Students: No
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: N/A
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: N/A
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: N/A
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Demonstrate safe, appropriate and caring animal handing and restraint techniques which promote positive animal welfare outcomes for a range of small animal behaviours
- Activities:
- During active learning works, students will be required to demonstrate in relation to animal behaviour, safe and appropriate animal handling. including working with models, role play sessions, and dealing with a range of live dogs and cats.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Recognize when extra assistance and/or veterinary intervention is required to ensure animal or human safety for a range of small animal behavioural problems
- Activities:
- Preparatory reading and activities, followed by active learning workshops, students will be required to demonstrate in relation to animal behaviour, safe and appropriate animal handling. including working with models, role play sessions, and dealing with a range of live dogs and cats.They will learn to recognise serious behavioural problems which require veterinary diagnosis and care.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
03. Demonstrate accurate, professional and caring empathic history taking, record keeping, communication and follow up when assisting owners with the implementation of behaviour modification as directed by a veterinarian
- Activities:
- Students will learn how to record an accurate behavioural history, and to deal in a caring manner with both the clients and animals. That is, to develop the skills required by veterinary nurses to work directly with clients to implement behaviour modification as directed by the vet. Some of these techniques will include: desensitisation and counter conditioning and response substitution. Case studies analyses (Group activity) where they will develop and implement via role play appropriate action plans for cases. Peer critique and feedback on action plans
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
04. Prepare a plan and educational resources for the behaviour and training elements for a puppy preschool class
- Activities:
- Students will learn how to educate owners and other personnel on basic animal training and behavioural management. Working in groups students will create a lesson/training plan and develop educational resources for the behavioural elements of a puppy preschool class
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
05. Devise, implement, record and reflect on an animal training plan for an individual animal, with owner consent
- Activities:
- Students will need to develop the skills required by veterinary nurses to work directly with clients to develop, implement, record and reflect on a training plan. Students will need to produce a written plan and video recording of animal before, during and after training intervention and reflection on the training plan and process
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
06. Educate others in an accurate, appropriate, clear and professional, manner during basic dog training sessions
- Activities:
- Students will learn how to educate others during basic dog training and behavioural management. Students will be assessed performing a role play in groups demonstrating best practice approaches to basic dog training within simulated training sessions, and recognition of poor practices
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)