AAT Risk Management Protocols 2

Question 1

A therapy dog suddenly growls at a client during a session. What is the FIRST action the AAT practitioner should take?

Accepted Answer

Immediately remove the animal from the client's presence

Answer

Document the behavior for future reference

Answer

Ask the client what they did to provoke the animal

Answer

Continue the session while monitoring the animal closely

Question 2

Which of the following client populations requires the MOST stringent risk assessment before introducing an animal-assisted therapy component?

Accepted Answer

Children with severe animal phobia

Answer

Adults with mild depression

Answer

Elderly clients with mild cognitive impairment

Answer

Adults recovering from knee surgery

Question 3

What does the term 'stress stacking' refer to in the context of AAT animal welfare?

Accepted Answer

Accumulation of multiple minor stressors that collectively overwhelm an animal

Answer

Physical stacking of therapy supplies in the animal's environment

Answer

Scheduling too many client sessions back-to-back

Answer

Layering protective equipment on the therapy animal

Question 4

An AAT practitioner learns that a client is immunocompromised due to chemotherapy. Which protocol is MOST appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Consult with the client's medical team before initiating any animal contact

Answer

Proceed normally since the animal is regularly vaccinated

Answer

Limit sessions to 15 minutes to reduce exposure risk

Answer

Use a stuffed animal instead without informing the treatment team

Question 5

Which of the following is a recognized cutaneous zoonotic risk in AAT settings?

Accepted Answer

Ringworm (dermatophytosis)

Answer

Lyme disease

Answer

Psittacosis

Answer

Toxoplasmosis

Question 6

In AAT documentation, what is the purpose of recording an animal's 'pre-session baseline' behavior?

Accepted Answer

To provide a reference for detecting changes that may indicate stress or illness

Answer

To satisfy insurance requirements

Answer

To demonstrate the animal's training history to clients

Answer

To comply with facility marketing standards

Question 7

A client unexpectedly reaches to hug the therapy animal around the neck without warning. The handler should:

Accepted Answer

Gently redirect the client and teach appropriate interaction techniques

Answer

Allow the embrace since it shows therapeutic rapport

Answer

End the session immediately and report a safety incident

Answer

Ask another staff member to intervene on the handler's behalf