Day Care Operator Diploma

First-aid objectives, preparation and professional limits

Scene safety and assessment of immediate priorities

First-aid equipment and kit maintenance

Safe handling, restraint and muzzle precautions

Temperature, pulse and respiration

Road traffic accidents and safe transport

Wounds, bleeding, temporary dressings and prevention of self-injury

Fractures, dislocations and embedded objects

Shock, collapse, breathing support and CPR awareness

Heat-related illness, burns and scalds

Water accidents, eye injuries and choking

Insect stings, allergic reactions and poisoning

Seizures and post-seizure care

Veterinary contact, incident records and handover

National legislation, municipal by-laws and private premises rules

Land use, permits, operating conditions and dog-number restrictions

Dogs in public places, outings and effective control

Duty of care, negligence and foreseeable risks

Animal cruelty, neglect and welfare responsibilities

Animal-related injuries, fighting prohibitions and civil liability

Canine communication and humane conflict prevention

Performing-animal activities and relevant licensing questions

SPCAs, reporting welfare concerns and lawful inspections

Consumer protection, client agreements and risk disclosures

Insurance, professional indemnity and care, custody or control

Rabies-related responsibilities and veterinary boundaries

POPIA, confidentiality, photographs and incident records

Complaints, escaped dogs and professional communication

Behavioural responsibilities and individual suitability for day care

Admission history, health information and initial observation

Body language, context and changes in behaviour

Planned introductions and continuing compatibility assessment

Group composition, staffing and active supervision

Play assessment, managed pauses and early intervention

Arrival, departure, settling and protected rest

Appropriate activity without relying on exhaustion

Humane handling and reward-based daily-care skills

Resource guarding, mounting, barking, chasing and toileting concerns

Separation-related distress and limits of day-care support

Adaptations for puppies, adolescents, older dogs and reproductive changes

Behavioural incidents, referral and alternatives to group care

Enrichment selection, safety, choice and evaluation

Daily records, client handovers and suitability reviews

Recognising health and changes from the individual dog’s usual condition

Observing appetite, thirst, elimination, movement, skin and breathing

Body temperature, reference ranges and the limits of observation

Recognising emergencies and arranging veterinary assistance

Internal parasites, life cycles and human health risks

Fleas, ticks, mites, fly strike and ringworm

South African parasite and tick-borne disease considerations

Infection, transmission, incubation and shedding

Vaccination, admission requirements and disease-prevention limits

Distemper, infectious hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus

Canine infectious respiratory disease and viral papillomas

Rabies prevention, exposure and appropriate response

Cleaning, disinfection, temporary separation and return to care

Inherited and developmental eye, joint and hearing conditions

Eclampsia and pyometra

Age-associated changes, osteoarthritis and chronic disease

Supporting dogs with sensory impairment or individual medical needs

Health records, owner communication and professional boundaries