Therapy Animal Selection 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 Therapy Animal Selection flashcards as text
A facility wants to introduce a therapy animal program but several staff members have dog allergies. What is the BEST initial step?
Answer: Conduct an allergy assessment and explore hypoallergenic or alternative species
A thorough allergy assessment informs species selection and may reveal viable alternatives such as reptiles or fish for affected environments.
Which vaccination is universally required for therapy dogs before they can be certified by most US programs?
Answer: Rabies
Rabies vaccination is legally required in most US states and universally mandated by therapy animal certification organizations.
How does a therapy animal differ from a service animal under US federal law?
Answer: Service animals are trained for individual disability tasks; therapy animals provide general comfort to multiple people
Under the ADA, service animals are individually trained for a specific person's disability, while therapy animals serve groups in clinical or community settings.
What is the purpose of a 'pre-visit health check' for a therapy animal?
Answer: To confirm the animal is healthy and showing no signs of illness that could harm vulnerable clients
Immunocompromised and vulnerable populations can be seriously harmed by pathogens shed by ill animals, making health screening essential before each visit.
Which behavioral assessment tool is most commonly used by Pet Partners to evaluate therapy animal candidates?
Answer: The Pet Partners Team Evaluation, including aptitude and skills components
Pet Partners uses its own Team Evaluation that assesses both the animal's aptitude and the handler's skills in simulated therapy scenarios.
A handler notices their certified therapy cat has developed a new aversion to being placed in the carrier. This behavioral change should prompt:
Answer: A veterinary examination to rule out pain or illness before the next visit
New behavioral changes in animals often signal underlying medical issues; veterinary clearance should precede any return to therapy work.
Why are intact (un-neutered/un-spayed) animals generally discouraged from therapy animal programs?
Answer: Intact animals may exhibit hormone-driven behaviors that increase unpredictability in clinical settings
Hormonal fluctuations can increase reactivity, mounting behavior, and marking, all of which are inappropriate and potentially dangerous in therapy environments.