Develop and agree plans for complementary and natural/holistic healthcare for an animal

This standard covers developing and agreeing plans for the complementary and natural/holistic healthcare of an animal with their owner or carer.

Prior to a complementary and natural/holistic discipline being offered or given to an animal it is important that a proper discussion takes place with the animal’s owner or carer in order to agree the appropriate and desired procedure. An initial assessment and an ongoing review should evaluate progress and plan any further treatment.

This standard sets out the factors that must be fulfilled and complied with to make sure that the needs of the animal and their owner or carer are met. This must allow for the fact that as the discipline proceeds planned actions may need to change. It also requires service providers to comply with the policies and professional codes of practice relevant to their discipline, and that practitioners base their practice upon accurate and up-to-date information.

1. determine the complementary and natural/holistic healthcare that will best meet the needs of the animal based on all the information available to you
2. advise on a suitable environment or location in which to carry out the complementary and natural/holistic healthcare in order to achieve optimum results
3. explain to the owner or carer the complementary and natural/holistic healthcare options to best meet the needs of the animal and its situation
4. explain the possible responses and, where appropriate, the likely outcomes of the complementary and natural/holistic healthcare, indicating its potential limitations
5. explain and describe other complementary and natural/holistic healthcare disciplines and why these may be preferable, if these are in the animal’s best interests
6. develop and agree with the owner or carer the approach that should be taken to best help the animal, what responses are anticipated and the process of evaluation
7. involve the animal’s owner or carer in all discussions to encourage them to feel confident and able to make an informed choice
8. confirm that the animal’s owner or carer is aware of and supportive of the commitment required from them for the outcome to be successful
9. gain and record the consent of the animal's owner or carer, in accordance with the relevant professional, legal and organisational requirements, prior to undertaking complementary and natural/holistic healthcare
10. use safe practices that are appropriate for the animal concerned and its requirements in order to minimise any risks to the animal, yourself and others
11. approach and handle the animal in a manner that is likely to build their trust and confidence in the practitioner and promote their co-operation and minimise distress
12. maintain the animal's welfare at all times
13. recognise when the animal’s behaviour may indicate that you should pause temporarily, cease the activity or revise your approach
14. seek assistance, if needed, should there be a risk to the health, safety or security of yourself, the animal or others
15. produce records that comply with the relevant professional, legal and organisational requirements
16. maintain standards of professional conduct and ethics and work within the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience
17. reflect on your own performance and plan, record and evaluate your continuing professional development
18. maintain working relationships with colleagues, clients and other practitioners within your discipline, as well as veterinary or other animal care professionals, as required
19. comply with the current legislation and associated codes of practice related to the healthcare and welfare of animals at all times
20. work safely and take suitable measures to prevent the possible transfer of disease

1. a variety of approaches and techniques available for your complementary and natural/holistic discipline depending on the animal and its circumstances
2. how to assess and decide upon the best complementary and natural/holistic healthcare approach or technique to use for optimum results, taking into account the aims and limitations of the different options
3. the most appropriate environment in which to offer or give your complementary and natural/holistic healthcare in order to achieve the best possible outcome for the animal
4. the situations where additional services may support your complementary and natural/holistic healthcare discipline to give improved benefit
5. the situations when another complementary and natural/holistic healthcare discipline may be preferable for the specific animal in its particular condition or situation
6. how to assess each case individually in order to achieve the best possible outcome for the animal
7. how to provide information and advice to support the animal’s owner or carer to make their preferred choice for their animal’s care, and the importance of making the owner or carer feel involved and a valued part of the process
8. how to work with the animal’s owner or carer to develop an agreed approach to help the animal, and the importance of their involvement and support if the agreed approach is to be successful
9. how progress should be evaluated and the importance of discussing this with the animal’s owner or carer both at the start and during the complementary and natural/holistic healthcare process
10. any actions the owner or carer is required to take to support long-term success and the necessity for any post-treatment advice to be followed up
11. the types of physical and behavioural conditions that may affect the way animals are approached and handled
12. how to identify the possible risks and hazards involved with the handling of animals and how to minimise and respond to these in the animal’s best interests to protect the safety of yourself, the animal and others
13. the different factors that can affect an animal's behaviour adversely and what to do if these are observed
14. the reporting requirement if there is a suspicion of animal abuse and the process to follow
15. how to recognise and assess the signs of stress and alarm in the animals being handled and how to identify situations where it is not suitable or appropriate to approach or handle an animal without assistance
16. the relevant professional, legal, and organisational requirements for producing and storing records for all consultations and treatments
17. your professional and ethical responsibilities, the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience, and the need for suitable insurance
18. the role of professional organisations and associations
19. the requirements of current animal welfare legislation and the restrictions of the Veterinary Surgeons Act (1966) on diagnosing and treating animals

An animal’s history includes its:
• life experiences
• medical health and diagnoses
• emotional health
• psychological or mental health
• behavioural problems
• previous experience of the respective complementary holistic/natural discipline

Current animal health and welfare legislation:
• England and Wales, Animal Welfare Act 2006
• Scotland, Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006
• Northern Ireland, Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011

Veterinary Surgeons Act (1966):
It is illegal under the Veterinary Surgeons Act (1966) for non-veterinary surgeons to practise veterinary surgery.
The Act defines Veterinary Surgery as:
• the diagnosis of diseases in, and injuries to, animals, including tests performed on animals for diagnostic purposes
• the giving of advice based upon such diagnosis
• the medical or surgical treatment of animals
• the performance of surgical operations on animals

LANACT1 Assess and define an animal’s need for complementary and
natural/holistic healthcare
LANACT3 Provide Reiki to animals
LANAnC10 Observe and recognise the behaviour of animals
LANAnC15 Handle and restrain animals
LANCS68 Work to professional, legislative and regulatory requirements, and within the scope of ethical and personal responsibility, for animal health and welfare