AAT Ethical Principles in AAT 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An AAT handler is asked to work with a population they have no training with (e.g., clients with severe PTSD). The ethical obligation is to:
- Attempt the work and learn on the job
- Decline and refer to a practitioner with appropriate expertise (Correct answer)
- Proceed if the animal is well-trained for any population
- Accept if supervised by someone familiar with the population
Correct answer: Decline and refer to a practitioner with appropriate expertise
Practicing beyond one's competence violates ethical standards; referral protects client welfare.
Question 2: Which document typically governs ethical standards for credentialed AAT practitioners in the US?
- The ADA Standards for Service Animals
- The Pet Partners Standards of Practice and Ethics (Correct answer)
- The AVMA Guidelines for the Human-Animal Bond
- The NASW Code of Ethics
Correct answer: The Pet Partners Standards of Practice and Ethics
Pet Partners provides the primary standards of practice and ethics specifically for registered therapy animal teams in the US.
Question 3: A client discloses past abuse during an AAT session. The practitioner should:
- Immediately involve the animal more to comfort the client and move on
- Document the disclosure and follow mandatory reporting laws if applicable (Correct answer)
- Keep the disclosure private to honor the therapeutic relationship
- Terminate the session and reschedule once the client is stable
Correct answer: Document the disclosure and follow mandatory reporting laws if applicable
Mandated reporting laws supersede confidentiality when abuse disclosures trigger reporting obligations.
Question 4: Veracity as an ethical principle in AAT requires practitioners to:
- Exaggerate therapy outcomes to secure funding
- Be truthful with clients about the limitations and evidence base of AAT (Correct answer)
- Withhold unfavorable research findings to maintain client motivation
- Present AAT as a cure rather than a complementary intervention
Correct answer: Be truthful with clients about the limitations and evidence base of AAT
Veracity obligates practitioners to be honest about what AAT can and cannot achieve, including sharing evidence-based limitations.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes the ethical concept of 'non-maleficence' in the context of AAT?
- Ensuring equal access to AAT services for all populations
- Avoiding actions that cause unnecessary harm to clients or animals (Correct answer)
- Maintaining honest communication with clients at all times
- Respecting clients' rights to make their own decisions
Correct answer: Avoiding actions that cause unnecessary harm to clients or animals
Non-maleficence means 'do no harm,' requiring practitioners to avoid interventions that risk harm to clients or therapy animals.
Question 6: A practitioner wants to photograph a session for social media to promote AAT. What ethical step is required first?
- Obtain verbal permission from the client during the session
- Post only if the animal is the focus and the client is not visible
- Obtain written informed consent from the client before any photography (Correct answer)
- Check with the facility's marketing department
Correct answer: Obtain written informed consent from the client before any photography
Using client images for any purpose requires prior written informed consent to protect privacy and autonomy.
Question 7: Justice as an ethical principle in AAT refers to:
- Legal accountability of the therapy animal handler
- Fair and equitable distribution of AAT services without discrimination (Correct answer)
- Accurate documentation of all therapy outcomes
- The legal standing of therapy animals in public spaces
Correct answer: Fair and equitable distribution of AAT services without discrimination
Justice requires that AAT services be provided equitably, without bias based on race, gender, disability, or socioeconomic status.
AAT Ethical Principles in AAT 3
An AAT handler is asked to work with a population they have no training with (e.g., clients with severe PTSD).
The ethical obligation is to: