Ethical Principles in AAT Flashcards
7 cards from real AAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Ethical Principles in AAT flashcards as text
An AAT practitioner learns that a colleague is misrepresenting their animal's certification status to clients. The ethical course of action is to:
Answer: Confront the colleague privately and, if unresolved, report to the certifying organization
Ethical codes typically require practitioners to address colleague misconduct, starting with direct discussion before formal reporting.
Which of the following is an ethical consideration unique to AAT compared to conventional therapy?
Answer: The welfare and stress management of a non-human participant (the animal)
AAT uniquely involves an animal co-facilitator whose welfare, stress levels, and agency must be ethically managed alongside client care.
A client with a documented animal phobia is referred for AAT by another provider. What is the ethical response?
Answer: Assess appropriateness and decline if AAT is contraindicated for this client
Practitioners must independently assess contraindications; AAT is not appropriate for all clients, and forcing it can cause harm.
The principle of autonomy in AAT means that clients have the right to:
Answer: Refuse or discontinue AAT at any time without penalty
Autonomy ensures clients can make free, informed choices about their participation in AAT, including the right to stop at any time.
What is the ethical significance of maintaining up-to-date vaccination and health records for therapy animals?
Answer: It protects both client and animal welfare and upholds the practitioner's duty of care
Current health records reduce zoonotic disease risk and demonstrate the practitioner's commitment to both client safety and animal welfare.
An AAT practitioner discovers a personal conflict of interest with a new client (e.g., the client is a close relative of their employer). The ethical action is to:
Answer: Disclose the conflict and consult with a supervisor before proceeding
Conflicts of interest must be disclosed and assessed with supervision to determine whether the practitioner can remain objective.
Cultural competence in AAT ethics requires practitioners to:
Answer: Assess each client's cultural background and attitudes toward animals before beginning AAT
Cultural attitudes toward animals vary widely, and practitioners must assess individual comfort and cultural context before introducing AAT.