Behavior and Welfare Flashcards
7 cards from real ESA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Behavior and Welfare flashcards as text
Which indicator most strongly suggests an ESA is experiencing chronic psychological distress rather than a temporary reaction?
Answer: Persistent stereotypies, appetite loss, and social withdrawal lasting more than two weeks
Chronic distress presents as prolonged, multi-symptom clusters including stereotypies and withdrawal, distinct from brief situational reactions.
What is the primary ethical concern when an ESA's welfare needs conflict with its owner's therapeutic needs?
Answer: The animal's welfare must be considered independently; a suffering ESA cannot effectively support its owner
An ESA in poor welfare cannot adequately fulfill its therapeutic role; both the human and animal interests must be balanced.
Body language indicating an ESA dog is about to bite includes:
Answer: Stiff body, hard stare, and lips pulled back exposing teeth
A stiff body, hard stare, and exposed teeth are late-stage warning signals indicating imminent defensive or offensive aggression.
Which practice is considered a welfare violation for ESA dogs that are frequently taken into public spaces?
Answer: Denying the animal rest periods and forcing prolonged public exposure beyond its stress threshold
Forcing prolonged exposure beyond the animal's stress threshold causes chronic stress and violates its freedom from fear and distress.
An ESA horse displays weaving (repetitive side-to-side swaying) in its stall. The welfare intervention most supported by evidence is:
Answer: Installing a stall mirror and increasing turnout time for social and physical stimulation
Mirrors provide social stimulation and increased turnout addresses boredom and confinement stress, which underlie weaving in horses.
Which approach is most appropriate when an ESA exhibits resource guarding behavior around food?
Answer: Work with a certified applied animal behaviorist to implement a systematic behavior modification plan
Resource guarding can be safely addressed through structured behavior modification by a qualified professional without using confrontational methods.
The bond quality between an ESA and its owner is best described by which psychological concept?
Answer: Secure attachment, where the animal uses the owner as a safe base
Attachment theory describes ESAs as forming a secure base relationship with their owners, analogous to human infant-caregiver bonds.