Select your font size   Confidentiality, Privacy
and Ethical Issues
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Ottawa Therapy Dogs (OTD) places a high value on protecting the privacy and confidentiality of children and adults visited by our teams in schools, hospitals and other institutional settings. The only exception is when the law requires full disclosure as, for example, in the case of child abuse. Here are some guiding principles to remember when conducting a therapy dog visit:
The Right to Confidentiality
- All that is seen or heard during a therapy dog visit must remain within the confines of the institution involved, including names of persons and any medical details.
- Any discussion with staff regarding a person’s care should be conducted discreetly and in a private place, away from lobbies, elevators, cafeterias and other public places.
- Therapy dog teams must be properly identified at all times. Handlers need to wear their OTD identification badge and therapy dogs need to wear their OTD scarf and identification badge. Volunteer badges provided by the institution involved also may be required.
- Requests for interviews (including photographs, audio and/or video recordings) must first have written permission from the person (or the substitute decision-maker or guardian), the institution and OTD.
The Right to Privacy
- OTD volunteers generally do not have access to patient records, including paper charts and electronic records.
- Any written information provided during a therapy dog visit containing details of a person and/or their medical condition should be returned to staff or shredded prior to that OTD team leaving the premises.
- Therapy dog visits are best carried out in a quiet, private space, especially if the conversation contains any personal information.
- Many institutions have a Privacy Commissioner who can assist with any questions, concerns or breeches of privacy incurred by employees or volunteers.
The Right to Consent
- All persons, including children and vulnerable adults, must be asked if they would like a visit with a therapy dog team.
- All persons, including children and vulnerable adults, have the right to withdraw their consent at any time during the visit of a therapy dog team or, if that team is not suitable, to request another team, providing one is available in its place.
- If an OTD team is asked to leave an institution for some reason beyond normal practice, the team must leave quickly and in a courteous fashion. Contact OTD immediately and file an incident report with the Volunteer Coordinator (see Incident Form) and, in appropriate, the institution.
Ethics and OTD
When ethical, legal or medical questions arise, use good judgment and promptly contact the OTD Volunteer Coordinator, or consult with your staff person at the site involved.
Remember, open, timely communication is the key to avoiding troublesome situations and will help to prevent potential mishaps.
For Further Information
Prepared by Julianne Labreche, OTD Associate Member and Margot Montgomery, OTD Board Member
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