AAT Therapy Animal Selection 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A facility wants to introduce a therapy animal program but several staff members have dog allergies. What is the BEST initial step?
- Proceed with a dog program and provide staff with antihistamines
- Conduct an allergy assessment and explore hypoallergenic or alternative species (Correct answer)
- Limit the dog to outdoor spaces only
- Require allergic staff to transfer departments
Correct 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.
Question 2: Which vaccination is universally required for therapy dogs before they can be certified by most US programs?
- Leptospirosis
- Rabies (Correct answer)
- Canine influenza
- Bordetella
Correct answer: Rabies
Rabies vaccination is legally required in most US states and universally mandated by therapy animal certification organizations.
Question 3: How does a therapy animal differ from a service animal under US federal law?
- Therapy animals have broader public access rights than service animals
- Service animals are trained for individual disability tasks; therapy animals provide general comfort to multiple people (Correct answer)
- Therapy animals must be licensed by the state; service animals do not
- Service animals can be any species; therapy animals are limited to dogs
Correct 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.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a 'pre-visit health check' for a therapy animal?
- To ensure the animal has been recently groomed for client comfort
- To confirm the animal is healthy and showing no signs of illness that could harm vulnerable clients (Correct answer)
- To update the animal's obedience training records
- To assess whether the animal has gained weight since the last visit
Correct 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.
Question 5: Which behavioral assessment tool is most commonly used by Pet Partners to evaluate therapy animal candidates?
- The Canine Good Citizen test alone
- The Pet Partners Team Evaluation, including aptitude and skills components (Correct answer)
- A standardized veterinary behavioral exam
- The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) test
Correct 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.
Question 6: A handler notices their certified therapy cat has developed a new aversion to being placed in the carrier. This behavioral change should prompt:
- Continuing visits while using treats to distract the cat during transport
- A veterinary examination to rule out pain or illness before the next visit (Correct answer)
- Retiring the cat from the program immediately without evaluation
- Purchasing a larger carrier and resuming the schedule
Correct 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.
Question 7: Why are intact (un-neutered/un-spayed) animals generally discouraged from therapy animal programs?
- Intact animals are more likely to have genetic diseases
- Intact animals may exhibit hormone-driven behaviors that increase unpredictability in clinical settings (Correct answer)
- Certification organizations have legally prohibited intact animals
- Intact animals shed more dander than altered animals
Correct 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.
AAT Therapy Animal Selection 4
A facility wants to introduce a therapy animal program but several staff members have dog allergies.
What is the BEST initial step?