Read the scope, outcomes and full checklist guidance
The outcome:The business manages infectious disease, parasites, wounds, shared equipment and health changes using practical risk-based controls suited to group and mobile work.
EW9.1: Risk-based health and vaccination policy
The business must have a veterinary-informed, risk-based policy for vaccination or immunity, infectious disease, parasites and return after illness that reflects the dogs, services and places used. These Standards do not prescribe one vaccine schedule. Veterinary exemptions and credible alternative evidence may be considered where the resulting risk is assessed and managed.
Assessor checklist
Requirement
The business must have a veterinary-informed, risk-based policy for vaccination or immunity, infectious disease, parasites and return after illness that reflects the dogs, services and places used. These Standards do not prescribe one vaccine schedule. Veterinary exemptions and credible alternative evidence may be considered where the resulting risk is assessed and managed.
What the Assessor Checks
Review the policy basis and a sample of health evidence.
Check how exceptions, outbreaks and dogs from different households are managed.
Evidence
Policy, veterinary advice, declarations, vaccination or immunity evidence and exceptions.
Meets Standard
There is reasonable evidence that the requirement is met consistently in practice and achieves the required welfare, control and integrity outcome.
Action Required
The requirement is not yet demonstrated consistently in practice, or the available evidence is incomplete and requires a proportionate corrective action.
Critical Non-Compliance
Knowingly exposing a group to a serious suspected infectious disease may be Critical Non-Compliance.
Result:☐ Meets Standard ☐ Action Required ☐ Critical Non-Compliance
Notes: ____________________________________________________________
EW9.2: Daily illness, parasite and reproductive-status decisions
A dog showing potentially infectious illness, significant parasite burden, unexplained injury or material deterioration must not join a group until risk is assessed and managed. Bitches in heat must not be walked in public, in accordance with applicable local council regulations, or in group pack settings until they are no longer in heat. Entire dogs must be managed according to individual and group risk; they must not be placed where mating, conflict, escape or unmanageable distraction is reasonably foreseeable.
Assessor checklist
Requirement
A dog showing potentially infectious illness, significant parasite burden, unexplained injury or material deterioration must not join a group until risk is assessed and managed. Bitches in heat must not be walked in public, in accordance with applicable local council regulations, or in group pack settings until they are no longer in heat. Entire dogs must be managed according to individual and group risk; they must not be placed where mating, conflict, escape or unmanageable distraction is reasonably foreseeable.
What the Assessor Checks
Ask how walkers check dogs at collection and what causes exclusion or a solo alternative.
Confirm bitches in heat are excluded from public walks and group pack settings until they are no longer in heat. Review entire-dog, illness and return cases.
Evidence
Daily checks, exclusions, communications, veterinary clearance and plans.
Meets Standard
There is reasonable evidence that the requirement is met consistently in practice and achieves the required welfare, control and integrity outcome.
Action Required
The requirement is not yet demonstrated consistently in practice, or the available evidence is incomplete and requires a proportionate corrective action.
Critical Non-Compliance
Deliberately placing dogs where unmanaged mating or serious disease spread is likely may be Critical Non-Compliance.
Result:☐ Meets Standard ☐ Action Required ☐ Critical Non-Compliance
Notes: ____________________________________________________________
EW9.3: Hygiene of vehicles, equipment and shared water
Vehicles, crates, barriers, leads, towels, bowls and shared items must be cleaned at a frequency and by a method proportionate to contamination and disease risk. Faeces, vomit, urine, blood and suspected infectious contamination must be removed promptly using products and handling practices safe for dogs and people.
Assessor checklist
Requirement
Vehicles, crates, barriers, leads, towels, bowls and shared items must be cleaned at a frequency and by a method proportionate to contamination and disease risk. Faeces, vomit, urine, blood and suspected infectious contamination must be removed promptly using products and handling practices safe for dogs and people.
What the Assessor Checks
Inspect vehicles and equipment and observe cleaning arrangements.
Review response to contamination and any outbreak.
Evidence
Cleaning schedule, products, safety information, laundry and outbreak records.
Meets Standard
There is reasonable evidence that the requirement is met consistently in practice and achieves the required welfare, control and integrity outcome.
Action Required
The requirement is not yet demonstrated consistently in practice, or the available evidence is incomplete and requires a proportionate corrective action.
Critical Non-Compliance
Gross persistent contamination creating serious disease or welfare risk may be Critical Non-Compliance.
Result:☐ Meets Standard ☐ Action Required ☐ Critical Non-Compliance
Notes: ____________________________________________________________
EW9.4: Health findings, medication and veterinary escalation
New wounds, bites, lameness, collapse, breathing difficulty, toxin exposure or other material findings must receive first aid within competence, prompt owner notification and veterinary escalation when indicated. Medication may be administered only with clear authority and instructions, within competence, and must be recorded. Walkers must not diagnose or alter veterinary treatment.
Assessor checklist
Requirement
New wounds, bites, lameness, collapse, breathing difficulty, toxin exposure or other material findings must receive first aid within competence, prompt owner notification and veterinary escalation when indicated. Medication may be administered only with clear authority and instructions, within competence, and must be recorded. Walkers must not diagnose or alter veterinary treatment.
What the Assessor Checks
Sample injury, illness and medication records.
Use scenarios to test first aid, veterinary transport and communication.
Evidence
Incident and medication records, owner authority, veterinary communications and first-aid evidence.
Meets Standard
There is reasonable evidence that the requirement is met consistently in practice and achieves the required welfare, control and integrity outcome.
Action Required
The requirement is not yet demonstrated consistently in practice, or the available evidence is incomplete and requires a proportionate corrective action.
Critical Non-Compliance
Withholding urgent veterinary attention or unauthorised medication causing serious risk may be Critical Non-Compliance.
Result:☐ Meets Standard ☐ Action Required ☐ Critical Non-Compliance
Notes: ____________________________________________________________