K9 Team Management & Operational Placement (K9AA Handler Cse 3/3)

Course Overview:

1. Public Access/ Public Interaction Readiness: Understand the criteria and goals for public-facing K9 teams, ensuring compliance and professionalism in various environments.
2. Supervisor/Witness Role: Explore the role of the supervisor/witness in overseeing the practical placement hours required for public access training, ensuring accountability and adherence to standards.
3. Secondary or Emergency Handler Selection: Learn the importance of selecting an emergency or secondary handler and understand the differences in title and role, ensuring continuity and safety in unforeseen circumstances for your team.
4. K9 Work Attire and Equipment: Decide on suitable attire and equipment for public access and interactions, prioritising safety, comfort, and professionalism for both handler and K9.
5. K9 Care Plan Development: Develop a comprehensive care plan for your K9, addressing potential risks and emergencies while considering the unique needs and responsibilities of a working K9.
6. Record Keeping and Evidence Collection: Value the importance of record keeping and evidence collection to safeguard your K9 team, ensuring accountability and compliance with regulations. Develop Team operating policy and procedures to ensure long-term success.
7. Reflective Practice: Advanced reflective practice skills for handler growth, self-awareness, and contribution to the team, fostering continuous improvement and professionalism.
8. Risk Management Planning: Scope the workload and risks of your K9 team, implementing strategies for risk mitigation and workplace/venue compliance. Ensuring planning for the unplanned is thoughtful and considered, reduce mistakes that could jeopardise your Team or others through careful planning skills
9. Ethical Use of Operational Switch: Understand the ethical use of the operational on/off switch for your K9, prioritizing their well-being and autonomy in all work environments.
10. Work/Life Balance: Manage expectations and prioritize the well-being of your K9 team, establishing boundaries and promoting a healthy work/life balance for all members.

Why Choose Our Course?

• Comprehensive Curriculum: Our course covers a diverse range of governance skills essential for preparing your K9 team for the workforce, ensuring compliance, professionalism, and ethical conduct in all aspects of their work.
• Expert Guidance: Led by experienced trainers and industry professionals, our course offers expert guidance and practical advice to help you navigate the complexities of working with a K9 team with confidence and competence.
• Interactive Learning: Access interactive lessons, tools, and templates to assist with tracking, monitoring, and reviewing your team’s progress, fostering a dynamic and collaborative learning environment.
• Supportive Community: Join a supportive community of fellow handlers and K9 enthusiasts, sharing experiences, insights, and resources to foster collaboration and mutual support throughout your journey.

Prepare your K9 team for success in the workforce by enrolling in our course today. Equip yourself with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to excel as a handler and lead your team to new heights of professionalism and achievement.

Requirements: 

Prerequisite Courses: You may purchase this course if you have not completed the following courses, but you will not be able to commence until you have completed them. We recommend waiting until you have completed the pre-requisites before purchasing this coursed.

Completing the following courses is mandatory before commencing this course:

• Animal-Assisted Services: Foundational knowledge for the aspiring K9 Handler (K9AA Handler Cse 1/3)
• Animal-Assisted Services: Establishing a Reciprocal Relationship with a K9 (K9AA Handler Cse 2/3)

K9 Requirements: Access only to a dog to collect samples of your knowledge and skills.

The 3 courses that make up the K9AA Handler courses do not require your own dog as the course is primarily focused on upskilling the human 50% of the Team to be knowledgeable and competent in their knowledge & handling skills. However it is recommended that if after Course 1 you are committed to the journey, it would be ideal and beneficial to have your own carefully selected K9 Team-mate bonding and learning with you for the K9AA Handler courses 2 and 3.

K9AA Handler Course 1: requires no access to a dog.

K9AA Handler Course 2 and 3 will require access only to a dog (does not need to be your own) to complete tasks and assessments to demonstrate knowledge and skills learnt. However, this would be an ideal time to start investing in your own K9 team-mate and the bond you will need prior to the K9AA TEAM certification course.

K9AA TEAM Certification course/s DO require a dog you intend to team-up with for the role and the dog must be over 12mths old (and homed with you for at least 3 months), Vet checked and ready to participate in this course with you. This course is a Practical Course and is only available to Certified K9AA Handlers (those that have successfully completed 3 of 3 K9AA Handler Courses).

Equipment: 

1. Access to computer/phone with camera and internet access for zoom app for Live weekly course review/discussions. *Students must have an 80% attendance to the live meetings, as well as complete all assessments through out the 3 Handler courses to be eligible to receive the title of Certified K9AA Handler at the end of K9AA Handler Cse 3.

2. A chest mount for handler to record some of the evidence (see recommended equipment list).

3. A headset/bluetooth to allow Live 1:1 supervised sessions in the field for some assessments or additional private consults (see recommended equipment list).

4. Appropriate equipment and tools to maintain a healthy K9 (see recommended equipment list).

FUNDING:

If you are a Self-Managed or Plan-Managed NDIS client please refer to your NDIS goals and discuss with your Support Coordinator appropriate line items that this innovative mentoring program, 1:1 training/assessment or recommendation service could fall under- it may fall under Core or Capacity Building supports and may be different for each client depending on the goals that are being worked towards/achieved through our animal-assisted services.

If you are not eligible for NDIS funding support or other financial support and finances are the barrier for accessing our services and you are:

1. A First Responder or Military Veteran or;
2. receiving an Australian Disability Support Pension or;
3. an Australian Concession card holder or;
4. other exceptional circumstances

and would experience or are experiencing financial hardship by accessing our services please use our  website contact page to advise us in writing of your circumstance and to request a initial consult/interview/review of circumstances for free to determine if K9AA are able to offer a Financial Hardship or Exceptional Circumstances partial or full scholarship.

K9AA strongly believes in leaving no team behind based on finances as the barrier. Accessibility and inclusion in advancing relationships through education and support within the animal-assisted services sector is at the core of the K9AA culture and we endeavor to help where feasible and within our capacity and scope.

Those that can afford to pay, do so knowing that a portion of funds are directed directly back into supporting other K9AA teams in need to realise their full potential and increasing knowledge and skills to improve quality of life for both humans and the K9’s.