Facilitating a Better Life For Veterans Through Canine Companionship and Service

Confidentiality Agreement

Smoky Mountain Service Dogs (SMSD) Commitment

SMSD recognizes any potential and actual client has a right to privacy and protection from unauthorized access and use of sensitive and personal information. Smoky Mountain Service Dogs is committed to the following:

1. Smoky Mountain Service Dogs staff will not access or acquire confidential information that is not pertinent to the work of SMSD.

2. Smoky Mountain Service Dogs staff will not distribute confidential information to individuals or organizations outside of SMSD and those working with SMSD to evaluate the applicant’s eligibility.

3. Only those staff of SMSD responsible for the selection, review, and training of a service dog and client pair and those working with SMSD to evaluate the applicant’s eligibility will have access to personal information.

4. All personal data from clients or potential clients will be secured. Hard copies of information, if deemed necessary, will be maintained and secured by the Chair of the Client Applications Team.

Pledge of Confidentiality

Smoky Mountain Service Dogs (SMSD) recognizes a client has a right to privacy and protection from unauthorized access and use of sensitive and personal information. Volunteers of Smoky Mountain Service Dogs (SMSD) understands they might potentially have access to private information about clients that is confidential. Clients engage in business with SMSD on good faith that their information will be kept confidential. Volunteers understand that they have a responsibility to honor this confidentially agreement. They agree not to share any information regarding clients and their needs with anyone except the dog trainers as needed or members of the SMSD board. Any violation of this agreement would constitute a serious breach of ethical standards.