House rules & disclaimer

However, before you start, we ask that you read, digest and confirm your agreement with this notice, which is a requirement of your participation. You do not have to agree to this notice, but unfortunately, for the puppies’ and your own safety, and for our protection, you will not be able to participate in the event if you do not agree prior to the start of the event.

Whilst we fully screen our puppies and their owners prior to our events, we must remind you that working with live animals does come with its risks. We ask that you are fully compliant with the rules below and any advice or recommendations given to you by a Paws in Work team member; not just for your own individual safety, but also for the welfare of our puppies.

Rules

Small puppies can be very playful, but can also get nervous and scared when placed in new environments. Therefore we ask you to observe the following rules during your session:
- Please keep volume to a conscious low level.
- Shoes must be removed and placed in the dedicated shoe area prior to interacting with the puppies.
- Please use the hand sanitiser supplied prior to interacting with the puppies.
- Please do not pull, grab or roughly handle the puppies.
- If you are cuddling or picking up a puppy, you must be seated on a chair or on the floor – no standing permitted.
- Please allow for puppies to move freely if they wish to wander off.
- Please refrain from placing fingers inside the puppies' mouth.
- Please remain focused whilst puppies are on your lap to ensure they do not slip off.
 

Our liability

We shall not be liable or responsible for any loss you suffer as a result of you taking part in the session save for any loss resulting from personal injury or death as a result of our negligence. By agreeing to take part in the session, you release us from and waive all claims that you have or may have as a result of taking part in the session (except for our liability for personal injury or death as a result of our negligence).
 

Your confirmations

I hereby confirm I have read and agree to this notice. I agree to observe the Rules. I acknowledge the dangers and risks of working with animals, in particular the possibility of receiving scratches, bites, toilet accidents and/or allergic reactions from the pets. I release, exempt, discharge, and agree to hold harmless Paws in Work, its staff, representatives and associates, including the puppy owners involved in the day’s programme, from any and all liability, claims and actions (other than any liability arising from personal injury or death caused by your negligence) that may arise from my participation in the event.

I hereby represent that I am 16 years of age or older. 

Unless a specific Parent & Child event has been booked and communicated, I understand that I am not permitted to bring children along to the event to join in my session.

Parent & Child events

Our standard puppy therapy events are for adults only. However, occasionally Paws in Work run specific Parent & Child events. These sessions are a lovely way for little ones to meet the pups, but they do rely on a bit of extra care from our team, which is why they must be specifically requested. Puppies are small, delicate and still learning about the world, and children are naturally excited to meet them, so we ask every parent and guardian to read the following before taking part.

You are fully responsible for the supervision, safety and behaviour of your child at all times throughout the session. This responsibility sits with you, not with our team, and cannot be handed over to a Paws in Work staff member during the session.

For this reason we ask that you:

- Remain with your child for the entire session and keep them within arm's reach at all times.
- Help your child follow all of our usual house rules, including gentle handling, calm voices, and staying seated when holding or cuddling a puppy.
- Step in straight away if your child becomes over-excited, handles a puppy roughly, or does anything that could put a pup or another attendee at risk.
- Keep your attention on your child at all times.

In extreme cases, If a child is not being supervised, or if their behaviour puts a puppy, themselves or others at risk, our team may step in and, where necessary, ask that you remove the child from the session.

Filming/photos 

We may capture videos and photos of your event. If you give your consent we'll use these images in our promotional material and share them with your company. All images shall remain the sole ownership of Paws in Work. 

If you have any questions about us, our puppies or how the events are run, take a look at our frequently asked questions.