AAT Zoonotic Disease Prevention 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which ectoparasite carried by therapy animals poses the greatest direct zoonotic risk of transmitting Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) to clients in endemic U.S. regions?
- Fleas (Ctenocephalides felis)
- Deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis) (Correct answer)
- Mites (Sarcoptes scabiei)
- Lice (Trichodectes canis)
Correct answer: Deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis)
Ixodes scapularis (black-legged or deer tick) is the primary vector for Borrelia burgdorferi in the eastern U.S. and can transfer from animal fur to human skin during contact.
Question 2: A therapy animal program operates in a region with documented plague (Yersinia pestis) activity in wildlife. Which AAT animal type carries the highest risk of flea-mediated plague transmission?
- Trained dolphins used in aquatic therapy
- Domestic cats allowed to roam outdoors before visits (Correct answer)
- Fully indoor-housed therapy dogs
- Miniature horses kept in secured paddocks
Correct answer: Domestic cats allowed to roam outdoors before visits
Cats that roam outdoors can hunt infected rodents and bring plague-infected fleas into contact with humans, making them the highest-risk animal in plague-endemic regions.
Question 3: Psittacosis (Chlamydia psittaci) is a zoonotic concern when birds are used in AAT. Through which route is it primarily transmitted to humans?
- Direct skin contact with bird feathers
- Ingestion of contaminated bird droppings
- Inhalation of dried fecal matter or respiratory secretions (Correct answer)
- Bites from infected birds
Correct answer: Inhalation of dried fecal matter or respiratory secretions
Psittacosis is transmitted through inhalation of aerosolized dried droppings or nasal secretions from infected psittacine birds.
Question 4: An AAT coordinator is evaluating whether to allow a recently adopted stray dog to join the therapy program after a 6-month training period. What zoonotic screening step is MOST critical before the dog's first visit?
- A behavioral assessment by a certified trainer
- A comprehensive veterinary wellness exam with fecal parasite testing and updated vaccinations (Correct answer)
- A home environment inspection to ensure proper housing conditions
- A temperament test administered in a hospital simulation environment
Correct answer: A comprehensive veterinary wellness exam with fecal parasite testing and updated vaccinations
Stray dogs have unknown exposure histories and may harbor multiple zoonotic pathogens, making thorough veterinary screening with fecal testing and vaccinations essential before any patient contact.
Question 5: When an AAT handler sanitizes equipment such as a therapy dog's harness and leash between visits to different patient populations, which agent is recommended for killing most bacterial pathogens on non-porous surfaces?
- Plain water rinse and air drying
- Diluted bleach solution (1:10 ratio) or EPA-registered disinfectant (Correct answer)
- Dog-specific grooming spray with natural essential oils
- Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure for 30 seconds
Correct answer: Diluted bleach solution (1:10 ratio) or EPA-registered disinfectant
EPA-registered disinfectants or a 1:10 bleach solution are proven to eliminate most bacterial pathogens on non-porous surfaces like metal and plastic fittings.
Question 6: Which of the following statements about Capnocytophaga canimorsus and therapy dogs is accurate?
- It is a viral pathogen found only in dogs with visible oral lesions
- It is a bacterium found in dog saliva that can cause fatal sepsis in asplenic or immunocompromised individuals (Correct answer)
- It is transmitted exclusively through deep bite wounds requiring sutures
- It is reliably prevented by annual rabies vaccination
Correct answer: It is a bacterium found in dog saliva that can cause fatal sepsis in asplenic or immunocompromised individuals
Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a gram-negative bacterium in normal dog oral flora that can cause overwhelming sepsis in asplenic patients and other immunocompromised individuals even after minor contact.
Question 7: A therapy animal program is drafting a zoonotic disease education document for client families. Which core message is MOST important to include about hand hygiene after animal contact?
- Hand sanitizer is sufficient after petting therapy animals in all circumstances
- Hands should be washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after every animal interaction (Correct answer)
- Gloves eliminate the need for handwashing after animal contact
- Children do not need to wash hands unless they touched the animal's face
Correct answer: Hands should be washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after every animal interaction
Soap and water for at least 20 seconds is the gold standard for removing a broad range of zoonotic pathogens including those resistant to alcohol-based sanitizers.
AAT Zoonotic Disease Prevention 5
Which ectoparasite carried by therapy animals poses the greatest direct zoonotic risk of transmitting Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) to clients in endemic U.S. regions?