Strategic Evaluation
Animal Evaluation
-
Allows veterinarian to assess overall animal health and welfare
-
Allows veterinarian asses preventative care to reduce zoonotic disease risk
-
Allows veterinarian to identify/screen for potential diseases which can compromise assistance animal’s ability to perform job function appropriately which could compromise handler’s health
-
Allows veterinarian to screen for temperament and behavioral traits which threaten public health and safety
Human-Animal Evaluation
-
Allows veterinarian to assess the effectiveness of the human-animal partnership
-
Allows veterinarian to assess the effectiveness of the therapy animal program
-
Allows veterinarian to assess mutual benefits of the human-animal bond
-
Allows veterinarian to advocate for the assistance animal
-
Allows veterinarian to collaborate with all individuals involved in the assistance animal therapy program to optimize the function of the human-animal bond
Human-Animal Interaction Evaluation
-
Allows veterinarian to collaborate with all individuals involved in the assistance animal therapy program to optimize the function of the human-animal bond
-
Allows veterinarian to evaluate the assistance animal’s working environment to recommend an assistance animal that works best for the environment/location
-
Allows veterinarian to address an emergency plan of action for the assistance animal if its handler becomes incapacitated
-
Allows veterinarian to assess the assistance animal’s temperament and behavior which threaten public health and safety
We have identified three specific categories which should be evaluated when using an animal for a therapeutic purpose. This strategic veterinary driven evaluation address the concerns of zoonotic disease risk, animal behavioral, general animal welfare and public safety.
All (assistance animal)/(animal-intervention) programs should be governed by basic standards and regularly monitored by a veterinary professional. This strategic evaluation supports our veterinary consultant’s ability to advocate and ensure the health and welfare of the animals and humans involved and interacting with an assistance animal team.
This strategic evaluation also aids our veterinary consultant’s ability to assist and support the scientific evaluation and documentation of the health benefits of the human-animal bond.