Canine Bodywork Clinic

Terms & Conditions

 

These Terms & Conditions govern all appointments, treatments, and use of facilities at Canine Bodywork Clinic (“the Clinic”, “we”, “us”). By booking and attending an appointment, you (“the owner”, “you”) confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to the following.

 

1. Assumption of Risk & Duty of Care

 

Whilst every reasonable care is taken in the handling of dogs, delivery of treatment, and maintenance of equipment, water quality, and hygiene, all dogs attend and receive treatment entirely at their owner’s risk.


Canine Bodywork Clinic cannot accept liability for injury, illness, loss, or death of any animal, person, or property unless caused by proven negligence on our part.

 

2. Veterinary Consent (Legal Requirement)

 

A valid, signed veterinary consent form must be received before a dog’s first treatment session. This is a legal requirement.


  • The consent must be completed and signed by the veterinary surgeon responsible for the dog’s care
  • The form must clearly identify the veterinary practice and signing veterinary surgeon
  • Consent must reflect the dog’s current medical condition and presenting complaint
  • Treatment cannot proceed without appropriate written consent


If veterinary consent is missing, expired, incomplete, unsigned, or not signed by the responsible veterinary surgeon, the appointment will be cancelled and charged in full.


Owners must inform Canine Bodywork Clinic immediately if:

  • Their dog’s condition deteriorates or changes
  • Medication is altered
  • A veterinary surgeon advises treatment to be paused, modified, or stopped

 

3. Assessment & Right to Refuse Treatment

 

Each dog is assessed before every session. The therapist reserves the right to refuse, modify, or stop treatment if they believe:

  • The dog is unwell, unsafe, or unsuitable for treatment that day
  • Welfare, safety, or infection control may be compromised
  • The dog’s behaviour poses a risk to staff or others


All clinical decisions are made in the best interests of the dog.

 

4. Health, Hygiene & Eligibility

 

Dogs must not attend if they have:

  • Infectious or contagious conditions (e.g. kennel cough, parvo, eye/ear/skin infections, ringworm)
  • Vomiting or diarrhoea
  • Open wounds or untreated skin conditions
  • External fixators
  • Advanced or unstable respiratory or cardiac disease
  • Bitches in season cannot attend until their season has finished.


Owners are responsible for notifying the Clinic of any health concerns in advance. Standard cancellation terms apply if insufficient notice is given.

 

5. Vaccination & Infection Risk


We strongly recommend dogs are vaccinated against:

  • Canine Parvovirus
  • Distemper
  • Adenovirus
  • Leptospirosis


Where dogs are unvaccinated, owners accept that despite strict hygiene and infection control protocols, cross-contamination risk cannot be eliminated, and the Clinic cannot be held liable should illness occur.


6. Feeding, Flea & Worm Treatments


  • Dogs must not be fed for at least 3 hours prior to hydrotherapy, unless otherwise directed
  • Fresh drinking water is permitted
  • Topical flea or worm treatments must not be applied within 72 hours before or after hydrotherapy, as chemicals can affect water quality and skin health


7. Toileting & Contamination

 

Owners must ensure their dog is fully toileted before their session and clean up after them on site.


If a dog defecates in the hydrotherapy pool or treadmill:

  • A full system shutdown and disinfection is required
  • This may result in up to 24-48 hours of clinic closure
  • A cleaning and disruption fee of £260 will apply to cover lost income, water replacement, chemicals, and labour


8. Appointments, Arrival Times, Lateness & Session Length


Clients should arrive no earlier than their scheduled appointment time. A 15-minute changeover period is built between sessions to:

  • Allow dogs who may be reactive, aggressive, anxious, or in recovery to exit and enter the premises calmly and safely
  • Maintain a quiet, controlled environment for canine welfare
  • Allow the therapist time to clean, disinfect, reset equipment, and complete clinical notes between appointments


Arriving early may result in clients being asked to wait outside or in their vehicle until their scheduled time.


Owners should arrive promptly at their appointment time to allow adequate toileting and settling without disrupting clinic flow.

  • Late arrival may result in a reduced session
  • If you arrive 15 minutes or more late, the session may not proceed and full payment may still apply
  • Session length varies depending on the dog’s condition, ability, confidence, and welfare, as well as environmental and clinical factors. The treatment fee does not vary according to session duration.



9. Cancellation Policy

  • Cancel free of charge up to 48 hours before your appointment
  • Cancellations within 48 hours: 50% of the session fee
  • Failure to attend without notice: 100% of the session fee


The Clinic reserves the right to cancel or reschedule sessions due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. contamination events, equipment failure, therapist illness, extreme weather). Where cancellation is made by the Clinic, affected sessions will be refunded or rescheduled.


10. Payments & Block Bookings

  • Payment is due on or before the day of treatment
  • Accepted methods: card, cash, or same-day BACS transfer
  • Block bookings must be used within six months unless otherwise agreed


We do not accept direct insurance claims but will assist with reports and receipts for owner reimbursement.


11. Behaviour, Handling & Safety

  • Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times on the premises unless directed otherwise
  • Owners must disclose any handling issues, sensitivities, or behavioural concerns in advance
  • Abusive, aggressive, or intimidating behaviour towards staff will not be tolerated
  • The Clinic reserves the right to refuse treatment and ask clients to leave if safety is compromised


12. Children, Clothing & Personal Safety

 

Attendance by children is strongly discouraged due to the clinical nature of treatments, the presence of wet surfaces, specialist equipment, and dogs that may be injured, anxious, or in recovery.


If children do attend:

  • They must be closely supervised at all times by a parent or legal guardian
  • They must not enter treatment areas unless expressly permitted by staff
  • They must not touch equipment or distract dogs during treatment
  • The Clinic cannot assume responsibility for their safety


All visitors must wear non-slip footwear and suitable clothing. Waterproof clothing may be required due to the nature of hydrotherapy treatments.


The Clinic reserves the right to refuse entry or request that children leave if safety, welfare, or treatment quality may be compromised


13. Personal Property & Parking


The Clinic accepts no responsibility for loss, damage, or theft of personal belongings, vehicles, or contents while on the premises. Parking is at the owner’s risk and subject to availability.


14. Photography & Media


Photographs or videos may be taken for clinical records, training, or marketing purposes.

If you do not consent to your dog appearing on social media or promotional material, please inform us in writing.


15. Changes to Terms


Canine Bodywork Clinic reserves the right to amend these Terms & Conditions at any time. The latest version will always apply.