AAT Animal Behavior & Handling Techniques 2

Question 1

Which body language signal in a dog indicates it is feeling fearful or submissive?

Accepted Answer

Ears pinned back and tail tucked

Answer

Ears pinned back with a tucked tail are classic canine signals of fear or submission.

Question 2

When introducing a therapy animal to a new clinical environment, what is the recommended first step?

Accepted Answer

Let the animal acclimate quietly to the space before sessions begin

Answer

Allowing quiet acclimation reduces the animal's stress and promotes calm behavior during sessions.

Question 3

A therapy cat begins grooming itself repeatedly during a session. This behavior most likely indicates:

Accepted Answer

The cat is experiencing mild stress or anxiety

Answer

Excessive or displacement grooming in cats often signals stress rather than contentment.

Question 4

Which approach best supports positive reinforcement during animal-assisted therapy animal training?

Accepted Answer

Rewarding desired behaviors immediately with treats or praise

Answer

Immediate positive reinforcement strengthens desired behaviors and builds a trusting relationship.

Question 5

What is 'counter-conditioning' in the context of therapy animal preparation?

Accepted Answer

Pairing a feared or stressful stimulus with something positive to change the animal's emotional response

Answer

Counter-conditioning changes an animal's negative emotional response by associating the trigger with positive outcomes.

(AAT) Certified Animal-Assisted Therapy Practice Test