Ethical Guidelines & Professional Standards Flashcards
7 cards from real AAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Ethical Guidelines & Professional Standards flashcards as text
A client discloses during an AAT session that they are being abused at home. What is the therapist's primary ethical obligation?
Answer: Report the abuse to the appropriate authorities as required by mandatory reporting laws
Mandatory reporting laws require AAT practitioners to report suspected abuse to authorities, overriding standard confidentiality obligations.
Which professional credential is most directly aligned with establishing competency standards for animal-assisted therapy practitioners?
Answer: Certified Animal-Assisted Therapy Practitioner through IAHAIO-aligned programs
IAHAIO-aligned AAT certification programs establish the core competency and ethical standards specific to animal-assisted therapy practice.
An AAT practitioner notices the therapy dog is showing stress signals during a session. What is the ethical course of action?
Answer: End or pause the session to prioritize the animal's welfare
Animal welfare is a core ethical principle in AAT; sessions must be paused or ended when the therapy animal shows signs of stress.
What does 'scope of practice' mean for an AAT practitioner?
Answer: The range of activities and interventions a practitioner is qualified to perform based on their training
Scope of practice defines the boundaries of professional activity based on education, training, and credentialing.
When is it appropriate for an AAT practitioner to share session details with a client's treatment team?
Answer: When the client has signed a valid informed consent and release of information
Sharing client information requires a signed release of information as part of the informed consent process.
A therapy cat scratches a client during a session. What is the practitioner's ethical and professional obligation?
Answer: Document the incident, provide first aid, report per facility policy, and assess the animal's suitability
Incident documentation, first aid, reporting, and animal reassessment are required ethical and safety obligations following any animal-related injury.
An AAT practitioner is offered a gift by a grateful client at the end of a successful treatment. What is the most ethically appropriate response?
Answer: Decline the gift and explain the professional boundaries around gift acceptance
Most professional ethics codes discourage or prohibit accepting gifts from clients to maintain clear professional boundaries.