Animal assisted therapy test scoring - what it means

Delta Society has instituted a scoring system consisting of four levels:

1. Not Appropriate for Visiting
2. Not Ready for Visiting
3. Predictable Environment
4. Complex Environment

This scoring system is used as a guide for the types of facilities and environments a pet partner team is suitable for.

A team is scored Not Ready for both the Pet Partners Skills Test (PPST) and Pet Partners Aptitude Test (PPAT) if they receive a Not Ready on several of the exercises including the overall exam, exuberant or clumsy petting, and the restraining hug. If the team behaves in a way that would cause the evaluation to be stopped or the handler needs more than two attempts during the Skills Test (not lack of skill on the part of the animal or misunderstanding of the evaluator’s directions) this would also require a Not Ready evaluation.

A team can also be scored Not Ready if the animal eliminates during the test, mouths the evaluator in a soft or playful manner, continually vocalizes or licks the handler or evaluator or jumps on people or equipment more than once. A team evaluated Not Ready may be re-tested on the same day or as soon as they feel ready.

A team scored Not Appropriate for Visiting behaves in a manner that would cause the evaluation to be stopped. Such causes include:
- Handler displays inappropriate conduct or is seen to kick, strike or otherwise roughly handle their animal
 

- Treats people inappropriately at any time on the testing premises
- Handler is under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Animal growls, threatens, snaps, bites, attacked or attempts to attack any Animal shows aggression or escalating fear
- Animal continually vocalizes as part of aggressive behavior

A team scored Predictable must receive at least a “1” on all exercises of the PPST and receive two or fewer Not Ready scores on the PPAT. The most suitable environment would involve strong staff involvement and the routine of the visit should be easily anticipated with few distractions or surprises.

A team given the Complex rating is suitable for more stressful, unsupervised visits. The environment can have less anticipated interactions, strong distractions and high activity. To achieve this rating the team being tested must receive at least a score of “1” on all PPST and PPAT exercise and have received a score of “2” on all the following elements:

PPST- Accepting a friendly stranger
Appearance and grooming
Out for a walk
Walking through a crowd
Stay in place

PPAT – Overall exam
Exuberant and clumsy petting
Crowded and petted by several people
Restraining hug
Overall assessment

The seriousness of the evaluation process reinforces the importance of proper training and testing to ensure the safety of the public and the visiting team.

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Photos provided by Sue Grundfest