VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT IS BETWEEN PACIFIC ASSISTANCE DOGS (PADS) AND THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUAL


One form should be completed per person. We ask that you read each section and reach out to volunteer@pads.ca prior to signing if you have any questions or concerns.
PERSONAL INFORMATION



Please note: Each volunteer must use
their own unique email address

TERMS OF PARTICIPATION

1. SUPPORTING PADS GOALS

PADS is committed to supporting PADS volunteer in alignment with our vision and mission. The volunteer agrees that in volunteering with PADS, their actions should at all times support PADS’ Mission & Vision
  • Mission: Supporting people with disabilities and community care providers by partnering them with PADS certified assistance dogs.
  • Vision: PADS clients enjoy life-changing independence and wellness through partnership with PADS certified assistance dogs.

2. INCLUSION COMMITMENT

PADS' Commitment to You:
PADS is committed to creating a diverse and safe environment within our organization and is proud to be an equal opportunity organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for volunteering without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetics or age.  

Your Commitment to PADS:
In turn we ask that our volunteers agree to treat each person they meet – whether it be other volunteers, staff, clients, supporters — with respect and dignity and without discrimination. Violations of this commitment are considered grounds for termination of the volunteer relationship.

3. SOCIAL MEDIA & PROMOTIONS

  1. Social Media: I agree to comply with the currently published PADS Social Media Guidelines (found on Hydrant). The PADS Social Media Guidelines document outlines best practices and appropriate use of PADS dogs on social media channels.
  2. Promotions: I further agree to not use PADS puppies or dogs for the purpose of promotion of any other organization, cause or business without express written consent from PADS (this includes not having PADS puppies/dogs at any kind of protest, demonstration, picket line, etc). Any queries regarding this clause may be directed to communications@pads.ca.

4. NO COMPENSATION

I agree to perform the Volunteer Activities and I understand that I will not be compensated for my efforts, for the Images, or for anything else related to the Volunteer Activities. I agree that the execution of this Volunteer Agreement and Release or by the performance of the Volunteer Activities that I understand I will not be compensated in any way. I further agree that any work product I create in my capacity as a volunteer will be the exclusive property of PADS.

5. NO IMPACT ON DOG PLACEMENT

I understand and acknowledge that my participation in any Volunteer Activities is separate from any process related to my request, if any, to receive a PADS dog myself. I further acknowledge that, if I have requested or applied for a dog from PADS, my participation in any Volunteer Activities will not affect the timing of any such placement, or the selection of a particular dog that may be placed with me. If a dog is deemed unsuitable for assistance dog placement through the PADS program, placement decisions are governed by the PADS Re-career and Release protocol.

6. CONTACT INFORMATION

The Volunteer must notify PADS promptly about any change that is about to be made to any contact information for their home and/or place of work. This information includes changes to addresses, phones, email, or other means of contacting the Volunteer.

7. RULES AND SAFE BEHAVIOUR

As a volunteer for PADS, I agree to:
  1. read and to obey all safety rules and other instructions related to the Volunteer Activities, including without limitation, those instructions related to dog behaviour, care, and handling; to complete all required orientation, training, and paperwork relating to my Volunteer Activities;
  2. understand and respect my own physical and other limitations, and to inform PADS staff if any contemplated Volunteer Activity is beyond my ability or comfort level for any reason;
  3. treat all staff, volunteers and animals with respect and kindness and ensure property, tools, and equipment are handled with care.
  4. In the interest of the safety of the animals, staff, and volunteers, I acknowledge that PADS has the right to revoke volunteer privileges if these rules are not followed; I will also return all PADS property when my volunteer relationship ends.

8. CONSENT TO MEDICAL TREATMENT

If emergency care is required (while in attendance at a PADS organized event or activity) for myself, and if I am not able to convey permission in a timely manner, and an accompanying spouse or relative is unavailable, then I, the undersigned, authorize appropriate medical care as deemed necessary by emergency medical personnel, a physician or the medical facility providing treatment.

PHOTO AND VIDEO RELEASE

9. PHOTO AND VIDEO RELEASE

I hereby consent to having my image &/or voice recorded on film, audio, video, live webcam, or other electronic recording media (collectively “Images”) while attending a PADS event or engaging in Volunteer Activities with PADS. I further irrevocably consent to the publication and use by PADS of all Images, in any medium and for any and all purposes, including, without limitation, advertising, promotions, websites, news media, social media, educational materials, fundraising, and other lawful purposes. I grant PADS exclusive ownership and rights to the Images, and a royalty-free, irrevocable and unrestricted right to use, copyright, edit, modify, publish, and republish the Images. I waive any right to inspect or approve the finished Images or other content in which they may be used. I understand this Release applies to all current and future events and Volunteer Activities with PADS. I understand that some areas of PADS campus are monitored by camera and that PADS occasionally livestreams from events and/or specific activities and this Release applies equally in all respects to any images captured thereby. I also understand that PADS will rely on this release thus my agreement to its terms cannot be revoked.
NOTE: If you do not agree to the above terms, it is your responsibility to inform photographers and videographers (whether they have been tasked by PADS or are individuals photographing you in a social setting) that you do not consent to being captured in photo/video content. Additionally, this extends to when you are attending a PADS event that is livestreamed; it is your responsibility to avoid being within the frame of lifestream (this will be clearly communicated by event organizer) during the event and it is your responsibility to inform photographers and videographers that you do not wish to be included in the coverage of the event (or that photos taken may not be shared/published).
PRIVACY & CONFIDENTIALITY

10. PRIVACY & CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY

Respecting the privacy of our clients, donors, members, staff and volunteers is a basic value of PADS. Personal, medical and financial information is confidential and should not be disclosed or discussed with anyone without permission or authorization from PADS staff. Care shall also be taken to ensure that unauthorized individuals do not overhear any discussion of confidential information and that documents containing confidential information are not left in the open or inadvertently shared.

The Volunteer acknowledges that they are required to read PADS’ Privacy Policy and to comply with it. PADS’ Privacy Policy is available to volunteers, as well as clients and staff at pads.ca/privacy.  It is meant to comply with the Personal Information Protection Act (“PIPA”) to “govern the collection, use and disclosure of personal information by organizations in a manner that recognizes both the right of individuals to protect their personal information and the need of organizations to collect, use or disclose personal information for purposes that a reasonable person would consider appropriate in the circumstances.”  The volunteer’s obligations about privacy and confidentiality pursuant to “PIPA,” will continue even if this Agreement ends.

Volunteers of PADS may be exposed to information, which is sensitive, confidential and/or privileged and proprietary in nature (such as training methods and protocols). It is the policy of PADS that such information must be kept confidential both during and after volunteer service. Volunteers are expected to return materials containing privileged or confidential information at the time of termination of service. Unauthorized disclosure of confidential or privileged information is a serious violation of this policy and will subject the person(s) who made the unauthorized disclosure to appropriate discipline, including termination of the volunteer relationship.

INDEMNITY & RELEASE FROM LIABILITY
I, the Participant, acknowledge that I have requested to volunteer my time and effort to Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS) a Burnaby, BC, based charity registered under the Societies Act. As a volunteer, I may be present for and/or perform various dog care, dog training, community outreach, facility maintenance, or other related activities, at PADS, or at an offsite location (collectively, the “Volunteer Activities”). As consideration for being allowed to participate in the Volunteer Activities, I agree to be bound by the terms of this Volunteer Agreement and Liability Release (this “Volunteer Agreement and Release”) as follows: 

11. ASSUMPTION OF RISK

I understand and acknowledge that dogs are unpredictable animals, and that even the most well-trained or docile dogs may occasionally behave in a way that could cause injury to humans, other animals, or property. I acknowledge that the site where the Volunteer Activities are performed may have defects, and that working with and around dogs, and performing the Volunteer Activities, are inherently dangerous. I also acknowledge that there are no warranties, express or implied concerning the facilities, equipment, dogs or Volunteer Activities. I am voluntarily participating in the Volunteer Activities with full knowledge of the risks and dangers involved, and hereby agree to accept and assume any and all risks of injury, death, or damage to myself and/or my property. 

12. RELEASE OF LIABILITY

I hereby agree that neither I, nor my heirs, assigns or legal representatives, will make any claim against, sue, or attach the property of PADS, the owners or lessors of any property or facility where PADS operates, or any of their respective owners, officers, directors, employees, agents, contractors, volunteers, and other affiliated persons or entities, for any injury or damage however caused, arising out of or related to my participation in the Volunteer Activities. I hereby release PADS, the owners or lessors of any property or facility where PADS operates, and any of their respective owners, officers, directors, employees, agents, contractors, volunteers, and other affiliated persons or entities, from any and all actions, claims, damages, or demands that I, my heirs, assigns, or legal representatives now have or may hereafter have for any injury, death, or damage arising out of or related to my participation in the Volunteer Activities. 

I further agree to waive any rights I may have under statutes or regulations which provide that a general release does not extend to claims which are not known or suspected to exist at the time of executing the release. This release shall be effective upon signing of this Volunteer Agreement and Release by the Participant or the Participant’s Parent or Guardian, and shall be irrevocable and binding on all parties, subject to the terms hereof.

13. RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY OWN ACTS AND OMISSIONS; INDEMNITY

I hereby agree to be legally and financially responsible for my own acts and omissions relating to my participation in the Volunteer Activities, and will indemnify and hold harmless PADS, the owners or lessors of any property or facility where PADS operates, and any of their respective owners, officers, directors, employees, agents, contractors, volunteers, and other affiliated persons or entities, from any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, expenses, including attorney’s fees and costs, arising out of or related to my participation in the Volunteer Activities. I acknowledge that I am responsible for providing my own medical, liability, and auto insurance during my volunteer service. I understand that I am not covered by workers’ compensation nor insured by PADS during the performance of my Volunteer Activities, including when driving a vehicle or transporting an animal. Since I may be interacting with animals, and may be lifting, carrying, moving, or otherwise engaging in physical labor, I will be respectful of my own limitations and will inform appropriate staff or other representative immediately of any such limitations. 

14. GOVERNING LAW & SEVERABILITY

This Volunteer Agreement and Release shall be governed by the laws of the province of British Columbia (and/or any province in which the volunteer is participating in volunteer activities). If any provision of this Volunteer Agreement and Release is found by a court to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions, which shall continue in full force and effect.

ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

This agreement, once signed, is valid for a two year period, at which point this agreement will expire and will need to be reissued and signed if volunteers wish to continue volunteering with PADS for additional terms.

Upon completion of orientation and intake, volunteers may be required to sign supplementary agreements related to the area of participation (puppy-raising agreement, sitter agreement, etc). I understand that I am bound by each agreement and that one does not replace the need for the other.

I have read this Volunteer Agreement and Release, I fully understand its contents, and agree to its terms.

Contact Information