PRIVACY POLICY

Effective Date: August 19, 2026
Last Updated: August 19, 2026

My Best Pal Dog Training and Steph Raines (“My Best Pal,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respect your privacy.

This Privacy Policy explains how personal information may be collected, used, disclosed, and otherwise processed when you visit mybestpaldogtraining.com (the “Website”), submit an inquiry, request a consultation, complete a pet-care form, purchase a product, communicate with Steph Raines, or otherwise interact with My Best Pal Dog Training.

1. Information We May Collect

The information collected depends on how you interact with My Best Pal.

Information You Provide Directly

We may collect or receive information including:

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name;
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email address;
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telephone number;
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home or service address;
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emergency-contact information;
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appointment or scheduling information;
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information concerning your pets;
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veterinary information;
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pet medication information;
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pet behavior or bite-history information;

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pet health or vaccination information;
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property-access information;
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messages or questions;
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transaction information;
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information provided through consultation or intake forms; and

other information you voluntarily provide.

Because pet-care services may take place in your home, some information may be necessary to safely access and care for your property and animals.

2. Information About Pets

Information you provide concerning an animal may include:

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name;
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age;
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breed;
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sex;
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weight;
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feeding instructions;
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behavioral history;
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aggression or bite history;
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reactivity;
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triggers;
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allergies;
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medication;
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medical conditions;
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veterinary contacts;
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vaccination information;
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routines;
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training history; and
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emergency-care instructions.
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We use this information to evaluate service suitability, safely handle and care for animals, personalize services, communicate with owners, and respond to emergencies.

3. Home and Access Information

For pet sitting, house sitting, or drop-in services, clients may provide information necessary for entry and care.

This may include:

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home address;
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keys;
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access codes;
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alarm instructions;
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gate information;
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parking instructions;
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location of pet supplies;
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emergency contacts; and
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other property-related instructions.
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My Best Pal uses this information only as reasonably necessary to provide the requested service, maintain records, address safety concerns, or comply with legal obligations.

Clients should avoid providing security credentials that are not reasonably necessary for the agreed service.

4. Information Collected Automatically

When you visit the Website, Squarespace and other service providers may automatically collect technical and Website usage information through cookies, logs, and similar technologies.

This may include:

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IP address;
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browser type;
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device type;
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operating system;
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pages visited;
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links clicked;
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date and time of access;
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referring website;
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approximate location derived from IP address; and

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other Website interaction information.
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5. Squarespace and Cookies

The Website uses Squarespace infrastructure.

Squarespace and related providers may process information through cookies and similar technologies for:

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Website functionality;
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security;
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fraud prevention;
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preferences;
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analytics;
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performance monitoring; and
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troubleshooting.
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You may generally control cookies through your browser settings.

Disabling cookies may affect Website functionality.

6. Contact and Consultation Forms

The Website provides forms that allow potential clients to contact My Best Pal and request information or consultations.

Information submitted through Website forms may be used to:

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respond to inquiries;
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determine whether services are appropriate;

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schedule consultations;
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prepare for services;
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communicate about pricing or availability; and

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maintain business records.
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7. Microsoft Forms

The Website currently directs clients to Microsoft Forms for certain house- and pet-sitting intake information.

When you submit information through Microsoft Forms, Microsoft may process information according to its own privacy, security, and data-storage practices.

My Best Pal may receive the information you submit through the form for purposes of evaluating and providing pet-care services.

8. Payments

Certain services may be paid through cash, check, PayPal, Venmo, or other electronic payment platforms.

When you pay through a third-party payment provider, that provider may independently process:

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your name;
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account information;
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transaction details;
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payment information;
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device information; and
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other information required to process the transaction.

My Best Pal generally does not receive or store complete payment-card credentials processed directly by third-party payment providers.

Third-party payment providers maintain their own privacy and security policies.

9. Veterinary and Emergency Information

Clients may provide veterinary contact information, pet-health details, medication instructions, or emergency contacts.

This information may be used when reasonably necessary to:

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administer agreed pet care;
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respond to an animal-health concern;
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communicate with an owner;
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contact a veterinarian;
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obtain emergency care;
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contact an authorized emergency person; or

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document an incident.
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Pet-health information is not human medical information and is not protected by HIPAA merely because it relates to veterinary care.

10. Photographs and Videos

My Best Pal may provide clients with photographs or videos of their pets during pet-care services.

Images may also be used for Website, social-media, educational, or promotional purposes when appropriate permission has been obtained.

We will not intentionally publish sensitive home-access information or other private information visible in a photograph or recording.

11. How We May Use Information

We may use information to:

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operate and maintain the Website;
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respond to inquiries;
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schedule consultations and services;
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evaluate whether a pet is appropriate for services;

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provide dog training;
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provide pet sitting or drop-in care;
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administer agreed medications;
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communicate about a pet;
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provide photographs or updates;
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respond to emergencies;
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communicate with veterinarians or emergency contacts when appropriate;

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process transactions;
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maintain client and business records;
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enforce booking, cancellation, and payment policies;

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prevent fraud or misuse;
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maintain Website and operational security;

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comply with legal obligations; and
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establish, exercise, or defend legal claims.

12. How Information May Be Disclosed

We may disclose personal information to service providers that assist with our operations, such as:

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Squarespace;
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Microsoft;
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payment processors;
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email and communication providers;
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technology providers;
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accountants or bookkeepers;
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professional advisers; and
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other vendors reasonably necessary to operate the business.

We may also disclose information:

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when you authorize us to do so;
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to an emergency contact;
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to a veterinarian when reasonably necessary for an animal’s care;

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when required by law or legal process;
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to protect people, animals, property, or My Best Pal;

to investigate suspected fraud or unlawful activity;

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to enforce an agreement; or
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to establish, exercise, or defend legal claims.

13. Sale of Personal Information

My Best Pal does not sell personal information for monetary consideration based on the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

The Website is not currently described as using personal information for targeted or cross-context behavioral advertising.

If advertising technologies are added in the future, this Policy should be updated accordingly.

14. Text and Email Communications

Clients may communicate with Steph Raines by text or email.

The Website currently lists:

steph@mybestpaldogtraining.com
509-518-3673

If you provide a phone number or email address for service-related communications, we may use it to communicate regarding:

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inquiries;
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consultations;
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scheduling;
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pet-care updates;
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training;
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payments;
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emergencies; and
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customer service.
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Providing contact information for an appointment or service does not automatically authorize unrelated promotional text messaging where separate consent is legally required.

15. Data Retention

We retain information for as long as reasonably necessary for purposes such as:

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maintaining client and pet records;
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providing continuing training services;
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scheduling;
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pet-care history;
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emergency documentation;
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accounting and tax requirements;
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payment disputes;
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contractual obligations;
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security;
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legal compliance; and
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establishing or defending legal claims.
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Access credentials that are no longer reasonably necessary should be deleted, returned, disabled, or otherwise handled in accordance with the applicable service arrangement.

16. Data Security

We use reasonable administrative and technical practices designed to protect information under our control.

However, no Website, email system, text-message platform, electronic form, payment provider, or information-storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Clients should avoid transmitting highly sensitive information unless necessary.

17. Washington Privacy Rights

My Best Pal Dog Training operates in Washington State.

Washington law may provide consumers with privacy protections depending on the nature of the information and applicable law.

If an applicable law provides you with a right concerning information processed by My Best Pal, we will address properly submitted requests as required by that law.

18. Children’s Privacy

The Website is intended for adults seeking pet-care or dog-training services.

It is not directed to children under 13, and My Best Pal does not knowingly use the Website to collect personal information directly from children under 13.

If you believe a child has submitted personal information through the Website inappropriately, contact us so the issue can be reviewed.

19. Third-Party Websites and Services

The Website may link to:

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Microsoft Forms;
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PayPal;
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Venmo;
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retailers;
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social-media platforms;
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training resources;
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product manufacturers; and
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other third-party services.
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Third parties operate independently and maintain their own privacy and security practices.

My Best Pal does not control their independent collection, use, retention, or disclosure of information.

20. Changes to This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in Website features, services, business practices, technology, or applicable law.

The “Last Updated” date above identifies the latest revision.

21. Contact

Privacy questions or requests may be directed to:

My Best Pal Dog Training
Steph Raines, Certified K9 Trainer
Serving Kennewick, Richland & Pasco, Washington
Email: steph@mybestpaldogtraining.com
Text: 509-518-3673
Website: mybestpaldogtraining.com

Don't let pet behavior issues or travel worries prevent you from enjoying your relationship with your canine friends.

Steph Raines
Certified K9 Trainer

Don't let pet behavior issues or travel worries prevent you from enjoying your relationship with your canine friends.

Steph RainesCertified K9 Trainer

Steph Raines
Certified K9 Trainer