Laura Mundy Dog Training & Laura Mundy Therapy Dogs

Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

When using our services at Laura Mundy Dog Training you agree to the following terms and conditions. Below we also provide you with how any information gathered about you will be used.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Health and vaccination status of dogs:

All puppies and adult dogs must be up to date with their vaccination schedules or able to provide evidence of titre testing (N.B. Titre testing not accepted for group classes, therapy dogs or assistance dogs). If any dogs are observed to appear unwell when presenting to classes or in private consultations you may be asked to reschedule your service with us.

Cancellations and No-Shows

Make up sessions may not be able to be provided for group classes missed and fees will therefore be forfeited. If your female dog has gone into heat while taking part in a group course program, you will be able to postpone your remaining sessions to a later course group. If you have booked into a course knowing you cannot attend a week for another reason such as a holiday or other event, a substitute class may not be able to be offered in its place.

If private consultations are cancelled within 24 hours, all fees are forfeited unless it’s been for an unavoidable personal emergency, injury or illness. If there is a no-show, all fees are also forfeited. All cancellations that occur prior to 24 hours of the session will not be charged.

Training methods and ethics

All of our training procedures are based on positive reinforcement training methods. We do not use correction chains, compulsion, intimidation, physical force, spray collars, electronic collars, prong collars, 'dog whispering' methods, forcing dogs or puppies onto their backs or muzzle grabs. Hitting, yelling or forceful methods used towards dogs are also not to be used in our classes or during consultations. When undertaking training with us you understand that harsh methods will not be tolerated in training and our services may be ceased as a result. Such methods will also not be allowed in group classes and ceasing of services within a group class may result in the remaining class fees being forfeited. We will not advocate for the use of aversive methods in training and you agree our methods will focus on using positive based methods. This stands for all group classes, private consultations and our Therapy Dog certification programs.

Children present at training services

If you attend classes with children or a child is present within session, supervision and safety of the child is the responsibility of the parent. Young children may be at a greater risk of being harmed by dogs, especially those they are unfamiliar with. If you attend classes with small children we ask that you supervise them carefully and do not allow them to interact with other dogs in the class. If you do allow interactions between your child and other dogs, any harm or injury is not the responsibility of Laura Mundy Dog Training. Please note that children are not to attend the therapy dog training and certification programs with handlers and their dogs.

Dog-dog interactions in group services

We ask that you keep a safe distance outside of your dog's leash length reach from all other dogs and people in class settings and private consults. Any social interactions will be guided by the trainer when suitable to do so and assessments of your dog's sociability is undertaken first. If you do so this is done at your own risk and you as the dog’s owner will be held liable for any injuries that may occur as a result. Laura Mundy Dog Training will not be held liable for any injuries that may occur as a result of any non-trainer facilitated interactions that occur within training facility property or outside of training sessions. You agree to indemnify us from any liability to claims, losses, fees or suits that may arise from any information received during services or via information provided on this website.

Insurance of therapy and assistance dogs

Therapy and assistance dogs are also not covered under any insurance by Laura Mundy Dog Training, Laura Mundy Therapy Dogs or Laura Mundy Assistance Dogs. It is recommended that insurance policies be taken out to protect yourselves from any possibly cases of liability you may encounter. This may include organisational/program insurance for therapy dogs or third party indemnity insurance for assistance dogs. By applying to undertake our therapy dog programs and assistance dog programs you agree to indemnify us from any claims made to yourself while your dog is working within a therapy or an assistance dog role in the community or within your organisation.

Intellectual property and sharing of information handouts and manuals

All information provided to you in sessions including handouts and reports are copyrighted to Laura Mundy Dog Training. Any public sharing of information received must be given consent by us prior to sharing. Written consent can be received by contacting us at info@lauramundydogtraining.com.au

Therapy Dog and Handler certification programs

We regularly hold therapy dog and handler certification programs throughout the year. These courses abide by the same conditions as our group classes. Additionally within these courses, only the handler and dog can attend, there are to be no additional family members or colleagues from your place of employment or similar able to attend these courses. If any behaviour is deemed inappropriate or not suitable to be in the program you may be asked to withdraw from the course. It will be explained to you why this may need to occur. This would only be in extreme circumstances where your treatment of your dog goes against our ethical standards of being force free, ethical treatment of our dogs at all times or your dog is not coping with the setting or not suitable for the course yet. You may be told your dog will not be suitable at all in the future or recommended to do further training before returning. Our suitability checklist provided is to reduce the likelihood this is needed.

If you are not able to sit the assessment at the end of the workshop or have decided you are not ready, you will be required to pay for an additional assessment at another certification session. There will be no refund of part of the course fee if you have to leave the course or do not sit the assessment at the end of the final day. The completion of an assessment at a later date can be done privately at a fee of $200 or within a group recertification day at a cost of $95.

You also agree to get a vet check for your dog that confirms your dog is healthy enough to work as a therapy dog. Further, you agree that your dog is only to be handled by you and not others at your work unless they have undertaken further training with us as an additional handler. You will not seek to gain public access with your therapy dog upon completion of the course as they are not an assistance dog. You also agree to only handle your dog in work when they are physically well, you are physically able to handle them, they will not be left in the care of a client without your direct supervision, they will not be handled independently by anyone under the age of 18 without your supervision, another person in your absence will not have client contact with your dog without you present, and you will not try to use your therapy dog bandana on another dog to act as a therapy dog that has not undertaken the training and certification with us.

Upon completion of your therapy dog training program you will be required to sign a terms and conditions of working as a therapy dog and handler team with our logo on your dog which will include agreeing to conditions of not impersonating an assistance dog to attempt to gain public access, being a safe and responsible handler to ensure you do not put your dog in any positions that you know may trigger reactions that could physically or psychologically harm any other person or animal, that you won’t work your dog if they are unfit or unwell, among other conditions. By signing up to our program you understand that there are conditions of working as a team, undertaking our training and that you will not hold Laura Mundy Dog Training liable for any injury or illness to you or your dog or property that may occur as a result of undertaking training with us.

PRIVACY

All information collected about you by Laura Mundy Dog Training will only be used to provide our services. Information such as your name, address, contact information and any personal information will not be shared with any third party. Any sharing of information will only occur if consent is provided by yourself and if it is directly relevant to the care of your dog or the services you receive. This may relate to referral to another service provider such as a veterinarian or other behaviour consultant at your discretion. Photos may be taken at classes but all efforts will be made to remove any identifying information and images of the face will not be included. If any images or video will show the face of clients then consent will be sought. Such images or video will only be shared if your consent has been given at the time of booking or verbal consent is gained within the consultation or training.

As some of our work includes working in the area of psychiatric assistance dogs and other therapy dog programs, at times, personal information may be gathered. No information will be shared and will remain the property of Laura Mundy Dog Training unless discussed with yourself if necessary to be shared and consent is given. This may be for sharing information with funding bodies paying for services if relevant or other care providers involved again with your explicit consent given prior. Information only pertaining to providing quality care and services to you and no other information will be shared. Through agreeing to our privacy policy you understand that your personal information will remain private and only relevant information is being gathered in order to provide necessary services.

Thanks so much for your understanding!