AAT Client Assessment & Care Planning 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client with a documented dog phobia is referred for AAT. What is the FIRST step the therapist should take?
- Begin gradual exposure with the therapy animal immediately
- Conduct a thorough fear and allergy screening before any animal contact (Correct answer)
- Consult with the referring provider about diagnosis only
- Introduce the animal from a distance during the first session
Correct answer: Conduct a thorough fear and allergy screening before any animal contact
A comprehensive screening for fears, phobias, and allergies must occur before any animal contact to ensure client safety and comfort.
Question 2: Which standardized tool is most appropriate for assessing a client's baseline functioning prior to initiating an AAT care plan?
- Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
- Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS)
- Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale
- All of the above depending on presenting concerns (Correct answer)
Correct answer: All of the above depending on presenting concerns
Multiple validated instruments are used depending on the client's specific presenting concerns to establish a comprehensive baseline.
Question 3: When documenting an AAT care plan, which element is LEAST critical to include?
- Client's therapeutic goals
- Animal handler's personal background (Correct answer)
- Frequency and duration of sessions
- Contraindications and precautions
Correct answer: Animal handler's personal background
While handler credentials matter, personal background details are not a required clinical element of the client's care plan.
Question 4: A child client with autism spectrum disorder shows hypersensitivity to sound. How should this inform the AAT care plan?
- Select a quiet, calm animal and use a low-stimulation environment (Correct answer)
- Avoid AAT entirely as it is contraindicated for ASD
- Use louder animals to facilitate desensitization
- Proceed with standard protocol and monitor for reactions
Correct answer: Select a quiet, calm animal and use a low-stimulation environment
Sensory sensitivities must be accommodated by selecting appropriate animals and controlling environmental stimulation.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes the concept of 'informed consent' in an AAT care plan?
- The client agrees to any animal the therapist selects
- The client is informed of risks, benefits, alternatives, and voluntarily consents to treatment (Correct answer)
- The animal handler signs off on the treatment approach
- Consent is implied when a client attends an AAT session
Correct answer: The client is informed of risks, benefits, alternatives, and voluntarily consents to treatment
Informed consent requires disclosure of risks, benefits, and alternatives so the client can make a voluntary, educated decision.
Question 6: A therapist notices that a client's engagement with the therapy animal has decreased over three consecutive sessions. What is the most appropriate clinical response?
- Switch to a different therapy animal immediately
- Reassess the client's current goals and modify the care plan if needed (Correct answer)
- Discharge the client as AAT is no longer effective
- Continue the current plan as fluctuations are expected
Correct answer: Reassess the client's current goals and modify the care plan if needed
Decreased engagement is a clinical signal to reassess goals and revise the care plan to maintain therapeutic effectiveness.
Question 7: Which factor should be evaluated when assessing a client's suitability for group-based AAT versus individual AAT?
- Client's preference for animal species only
- Client's social functioning, comfort with peers, and therapeutic goals (Correct answer)
- The availability of certified animals in the area
- The therapist's caseload and scheduling preferences
Correct answer: Client's social functioning, comfort with peers, and therapeutic goals
Social functioning, interpersonal comfort, and treatment goals determine whether group or individual AAT is the appropriate modality.
AAT Client Assessment & Care Planning 2
A client with a documented dog phobia is referred for AAT.
What is the FIRST step the therapist should take?