Assistance Animals Consultation questions - Victorian Law Reform ...
Assistance Animals Consultation questions - Victorian Law Reform ...
Assistance Animals Consultation questions - Victorian Law Reform ...
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
<strong>Assistance</strong> <strong>Animals</strong> <strong>Consultation</strong> <strong>questions</strong><br />
1. How should assistance animals be defined in <strong>Victorian</strong> legislation<br />
A canine specifically trained and certified by an approved assistance dog-training<br />
organisation to perform more than one task/function to mitigate an individual's<br />
medically diagnosed disability(s).<br />
The use of the word canine encompasses both male and female dogs. The use of the word “animal” is<br />
not appropriate for the following reasons:<br />
• An animal can mean anything other than human<br />
• Public perception and acceptance of the “canine” assistance dog in the community<br />
has been already established, particularly with breeds such as Labradors and Golden<br />
Retrievers. The public has a right to feel safe and not in danger when confronted<br />
with an assistance “dog” in a public place<br />
2. Should the current guide dog provisions in the Equal Opportunity Act be<br />
extended to provide protection for all assistance animal partnerships in all<br />
areas of activity covered by the Act<br />
Yes.<br />
• Is there a better way to ensure everyone knows when they can and cannot<br />
exclude an assistance animal partnership<br />
Include in the DFNAA such exclusions from certain places such as zoos and wildlife reserves;<br />
operating theatres/surgical areas. The question of ethical animal handling has to be considered –<br />
would the canine be under undue stress by being in an environment such as a zoo etc<br />
3. Does it make sense to place all <strong>Victorian</strong> laws that support the use of<br />
assistance animals in the Equal Opportunity Act<br />
No. Only relevant information should be included. Issues such as training and identification should be<br />
clearly set out in the DFNAA.<br />
4. Do you support the introduction of a law that would require organisations<br />
which train assistance animals to be accredited by a declaration by the<br />
Minister that the organisation is an ‘assistance animal organisation’<br />
Yes. It is imperative that only prescribed assistance dog training organisations be authorised to accredit<br />
assistance dogs.<br />
ADI has set minimum standards for training etc, which are valuable guidelines for assistance dog training<br />
organisations. Membership to eg ADI would ensure that the training organisation works under appropriate<br />
standards. ADI will accredit any training organisation that meets their required standard. Organisations<br />
may remain provisional members until such time as they pass the standard for accreditation.<br />
1
It is important to note that the Minister’s advisory committee must be equipped and qualified to make<br />
recommendations to prescribe a training organisation.<br />
Perhaps another pertinent question to ask is “How/Who will be responsible to monitor and review the<br />
prescribed training organisation” I have noted section 5.89 and agree that the BAW should undertake<br />
this area.<br />
<strong>Consultation</strong> Questions 5<br />
Which organisations should be eligible for approval by the Minister as an<br />
‘assistance animal organisation’<br />
• Should ‘assistance animal organisation’ status be limited to formal training<br />
organisations or should private trainers be included as well<br />
Private trainers can be included providing they can demonstrate that they operate under the same<br />
guidelines and standards as any other approved training organisation.<br />
• How should self-trainers be covered By demonstrating that they operate under the same<br />
guidelines and standards as any other approved training organisation.<br />
• How might the issue of the cost of training and testing for informally trained<br />
assistance animals be dealt with<br />
W.A.A.D Inc assists clients who prefer to train the dog themselves. However, these clients must<br />
adhere to our standards for training etc and must meet the required level before being considered for<br />
accreditation. Funding for private clients remains the responsibility of the client however, W.A.A.D Inc<br />
will assist with fundraising initiatives where possible and appropriate.<br />
• How can inequities be avoided if all animals must be tested by an approved<br />
assistance animal organisation<br />
A nationally standardised policy would eliminate inequities.<br />
• Should national or interstate training organisations be eligible for approved status<br />
in Victoria If not, why not<br />
Yes. Not all assistance dog training organisations provide the same service. Eg WAAD may provide<br />
a <strong>Victorian</strong> client with autism dog if no <strong>Victorian</strong> training organisation can meet the client’s need.<br />
6.6. Do you support the development of guidelines for assessing applications<br />
by organisations seeking approval as an ‘assistance animal organisation<br />
Yes. Please see attached copy of WAAD Constitution (Objects of Association) and endorsement<br />
letter.<br />
• Should the guidelines simply require membership of a relevant international or<br />
national body that has its own standards, or should generic standards also be<br />
included in the guidelines More importantly is who/how/what factors implement the<br />
guidelines.<br />
ADI has already set minimum standards- why re-invent the wheel.<br />
2
7.7. Should the Bureau of Animal Welfare administer the approval system<br />
Yes<br />
What resources will they need to fulfil this role Powers to temporarily close org operations<br />
until approved standards are met; powers to seize animals in danger/harm or danger/harm to public;<br />
Yes<br />
8.8. Do you support the development of regulations setting out a ‘public<br />
access test’ for assistance animals<br />
Yes<br />
9.9. Do you agree that an assistance animal must pass a ‘public access test’ by an<br />
approved organisation to be declared a ‘trained’ assistance animal<br />
<strong>Consultation</strong> Questions 8-9<br />
Do you agree that an assistance animal must be trained to an appropriate level of<br />
skill by an approved organisation to be regarded as a ‘trained’ assistance animal<br />
under <strong>Victorian</strong> law yes<br />
Do you support the development of regulations defining what is an appropriate<br />
level of training and skill for assistance animals yes<br />
• Who should be consulted in developing such regulations Eg ADI; industry<br />
accredited legal assessors<br />
• What sorts of issues should the regulations cover Assessment by legal assessors<br />
10.10. Is a registration scheme necessary Should assistance animals be<br />
registered with the local council<br />
Yes<br />
• Is the registration system proposed by the commission workable in practice yes<br />
Is there a better way to manage the registration of assistance animals<br />
Microchip registration- CAR database of assistance animals and in training<br />
yes<br />
11.11. Is an identification scheme necessary Should a person with an<br />
assistance animal be required to carry a standard ID card for the animal<br />
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of that approach Definite<br />
authentication of assistance canine<br />
• Is the issuing of an identity card by the local council the best way to administer the<br />
identity scheme Yes. Is there a better way to achieve the aim of having an easily<br />
3
ecognisable simple ID Not at this stage<br />
• What information should be on an assistance animal identity card Accreditation<br />
organisation name; dog name; owner/handler name; dog microchip number; council<br />
area; council registration number; photo of dog with handler; organisation contact<br />
name and phone number; signature of issuing officer (from approved organisation);<br />
• Should a mutual recognition scheme be established across states and territories<br />
Most definitely<br />
12.12. Is there anything else you would like to tell us<br />
Attachments for Question 6-<br />
Objects of Association (as per Rules of Incorporated Associations- Section 3)<br />
3 (1) The objects of the Association are-<br />
To provide a range of <strong>Assistance</strong> Dog related services including but not limited to:<br />
• <strong>Assistance</strong> dog acquisition; training; team partnership; assessment, accreditation, review<br />
and monitoring of assistance dog teams for people with disabilities<br />
• Education<br />
• Support<br />
• Resources<br />
• Advocacy<br />
• Increased community awareness<br />
To ensure that W.A.A.D Inc. Inc Disability <strong>Assistance</strong> Dogs are of the highest quality by<br />
• Using positive reinforcement, reward-based training methods<br />
• Recruiting as a member or employee, at least one Industry Accredited Dog Trainer or<br />
equivalent<br />
• Applying for membership to <strong>Assistance</strong> Dogs International (ADI) Inc. within 2 years of<br />
incorporation and maintaining this membership on an annual basis<br />
• Accepting or purchasing puppies/dogs from only sources approved by the committee.<br />
To maintain a register of <strong>Assistance</strong> Dogs and their partners.<br />
4