AAT Ethical Guidelines & Professional Standards 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which document outlines the rights of clients participating in AAT and the responsibilities of the practitioner before treatment begins?
- The session progress note
- The informed consent form (Correct answer)
- The animal health certificate
- The facility liability waiver
Correct answer: The informed consent form
The informed consent form communicates client rights, session expectations, risks, and practitioner responsibilities prior to beginning AAT.
Question 2: A practitioner trained in social work wants to incorporate AAT. What ethical step must they take first?
- Purchase a therapy animal immediately
- Obtain specialized training in animal-assisted therapy and ensure it falls within their professional scope (Correct answer)
- Assume their social work license covers all AAT activities
- Conduct a trial session with a willing client before seeking training
Correct answer: Obtain specialized training in animal-assisted therapy and ensure it falls within their professional scope
Practitioners must obtain AAT-specific training and ensure the practice aligns with their professional scope before integrating it into their work.
Question 3: What is the ethical concern with a practitioner developing a personal friendship with a current AAT client?
- It increases therapeutic rapport and should be encouraged
- It creates a dual relationship that can compromise therapeutic objectivity and client welfare (Correct answer)
- It is acceptable as long as sessions remain professional
- It is only a concern if the animal is also involved in the friendship
Correct answer: It creates a dual relationship that can compromise therapeutic objectivity and client welfare
Dual relationships blur professional boundaries and can harm clients by compromising the therapist's objectivity and the integrity of treatment.
Question 4: How often should therapy animals receive veterinary health evaluations to meet ethical standards?
- Only when the animal appears ill
- At least annually, or more frequently as recommended by a veterinarian (Correct answer)
- Every five years for healthy adult animals
- Before the first session only
Correct answer: At least annually, or more frequently as recommended by a veterinarian
Annual (or more frequent) veterinary health evaluations ensure the animal is healthy enough to participate safely in AAT sessions.
Question 5: A practitioner suspects a colleague is conducting AAT sessions without proper credentials. What is the ethical response?
- Do nothing to avoid workplace conflict
- Address the concern through appropriate channels such as supervisors or credentialing bodies (Correct answer)
- Publicly report the colleague on social media
- Take over the colleague's caseload immediately
Correct answer: Address the concern through appropriate channels such as supervisors or credentialing bodies
Ethical codes require practitioners to address suspected professional misconduct through appropriate organizational or credentialing channels.
Question 6: Which principle requires AAT practitioners to actively promote the well-being of clients beyond simply avoiding harm?
- Non-maleficence
- Beneficence (Correct answer)
- Justice
- Fidelity
Correct answer: Beneficence
Beneficence is the ethical principle requiring practitioners to take positive action to benefit clients and promote their well-being.
Question 7: A client with a severe dog phobia is referred for AAT. What is the ethically appropriate first step?
- Introduce the therapy dog immediately to begin desensitization
- Conduct a thorough assessment and discuss the client's comfort level and consent before any animal interaction (Correct answer)
- Decline the referral without further consideration
- Use a different animal without discussing the dog phobia
Correct answer: Conduct a thorough assessment and discuss the client's comfort level and consent before any animal interaction
A thorough assessment and obtaining informed consent regarding animal interaction is required before proceeding with AAT for any client, especially those with fears or phobias.
AAT Ethical Guidelines & Professional Standards 3
Which document outlines the rights of clients participating in AAT and the responsibilities of the practitioner before treatment begins?