1. About Canine Capabilities

The Canine Capabilities Mentorship Programme is provided by:

Legal business name: Kirsty Addy (sole trader) · Trading as: Canine Capabilities
Business address: 41 Flowitt Street, Doncaster, DN4 0FL
Email: kirsty@caninecapabilities.co.uk · Telephone: 07756 152646
Company number: not applicable (sole trader) · VAT: not VAT registered.

In these Terms: “Canine Capabilities”, “we”, “us” and “our” mean the mentorship provider. “Mentee”, “participant”, “you” and “your” mean the person enrolling on the Programme. “Programme” means the applicable mentorship stage, package or pathway described in your Programme Schedule. “Programme Schedule” means the written enrolment confirmation setting out what you have purchased. “Session” means a scheduled mentoring, assessment, feedback, practical or observation appointment. “Resources” means documents, templates, videos, recordings, assessments, presentations and other educational materials supplied during the Programme. “Client” means a dog owner or other customer receiving services from Canine Capabilities. “Shadowing” means an authorised opportunity to observe Canine Capabilities delivering professional services.

2. Purpose of the Programme

The Programme provides professional mentoring, education, feedback and development relating to canine behaviour, training and associated professional practice.

The Programme is educational and developmental. Unless expressly stated in the Programme Schedule, it is not: a regulated qualification; an academic degree or diploma; an employment arrangement; an apprenticeship; a franchise; a licence to practise; professional registration; an assurance of membership of any professional organisation; or a guarantee of employment, competency, income or business success.

Any certificate supplied will be accurately described as a certificate of attendance, participation or completion unless the Programme has been formally accredited by a named awarding or professional body.

3. Programme Schedule

Before enrolment, Canine Capabilities will provide a Programme Schedule containing: the mentorship stage or pathway; the Programme start date; the expected end date or access period; the number and type of Sessions included; whether Sessions are individual or group based; the usual Session duration; the method and location of delivery; any Shadowing opportunities included; the level of between-session support; Resources included; assessment or progression requirements; the mentor or type of mentor normally delivering the Programme; the total price; any deposit; the payment schedule; the cancellation rules; any important eligibility requirements; and any material limitations or exclusions.

The Programme Schedule and these Terms together form the contract. Where the Programme Schedule conflicts with these Terms, the Programme Schedule will take priority only in relation to the specific commercial details of that enrolment.

4. Eligibility and suitability

Mentees must normally be at least 18 years old. You must provide accurate information about: your current knowledge and experience; relevant qualifications; your intended use of the Programme; any support or accessibility requirements; your professional role; whether you currently provide services to clients; relevant insurance or professional-registration status; and any matter affecting safe participation.

Canine Capabilities may decline an application where: the Programme is unsuitable for the applicant’s current level; required information has not been provided; safe or ethical participation cannot reasonably be supported; the applicant expects an outcome the Programme does not provide; there is a significant conflict of interest; or the applicant’s conduct during an application process is abusive, discriminatory or unsafe.

Declining an application before the Programme begins will result in the return of Programme fees paid, unless Canine Capabilities has already supplied an expressly agreed, separately priced service.

5. Consumer and business participants

Some Mentees may enrol primarily for personal development, while others may enrol wholly or mainly for their trade, profession or business. Nothing in these Terms removes any statutory rights that apply to a Mentee who is legally considered a consumer.

Where you purchase the Programme wholly or mainly for business or professional purposes, consumer-specific cancellation rights may not apply. This does not remove any rights that cannot lawfully be excluded. A declaration made during enrolment about your intended use will be retained as part of the contractual record, but it will not override your true legal status.

6. Formation of the contract

Submitting an enquiry or application does not guarantee a place. A contract is formed when Canine Capabilities: confirms your place in writing; accepts payment; accepts a payment-plan agreement; or begins supplying the Programme at your express request — whichever occurs first.

You must receive or be given access to these Terms, your Programme Schedule, the Privacy Policy and applicable cancellation information. These documents must be available before you become contractually bound.

7. Consumer cancellation period

Where you are a consumer and enter into the contract online, by telephone or away from Canine Capabilities’ business premises, you will normally have 14 days from the day after the contract is formed to cancel without giving a reason.

To cancel, you must make a clear statement by: emailing kirsty@caninecapabilities.co.uk; writing to the business address above; using any online cancellation process provided; or using the model cancellation form at the end of these Terms.

Starting during the cancellation period. Where you ask for mentoring Services to begin during the 14-day period, Canine Capabilities must obtain your express request. If you then cancel during that period, you may be required to pay a proportionate amount for Services already supplied before cancellation. You will not be charged for Services supplied during the cancellation period unless the legally required early-start request was obtained.

Digital Resources. Where immediate access to paid digital Resources is provided during the cancellation period, Canine Capabilities will obtain your express consent to immediate supply and your acknowledgement that beginning the supply may affect your right to cancel that digital content. Consent to digital-content supply does not automatically remove cancellation rights relating to Services that have not yet been supplied.

8. Programme delivery

Canine Capabilities will deliver the Programme with reasonable care and skill. Delivery may include: individual mentoring; group mentoring; case discussions; practical demonstrations; written feedback; voice-note or video feedback; Shadowing; Resource access; professional-development tasks; reflective exercises; and assessments.

You understand that the Programme requires active participation and independent study. Canine Capabilities may use another appropriately experienced mentor where reasonably necessary. Where continuity is materially affected, we will discuss suitable alternatives with you. Reasonable changes to Session order, teaching format or delivery method may be made where they do not materially reduce the Programme’s overall content or value.

9. Attendance and participation

You are expected to: attend agreed Sessions; arrive on time; complete agreed preparatory work; participate professionally; ask for clarification where required; inform the mentor of relevant difficulties; act on feedback where appropriate; maintain professional and ethical standards; and work within your current level of competence.

Failure to engage may affect your progress but does not allow Canine Capabilities to arbitrarily remove paid benefits. Where participation concerns arise, Canine Capabilities will normally: explain the concern; identify the expected improvement; provide a reasonable opportunity to respond or improve; record the agreed action; and review progress. Serious safety, welfare, confidentiality or conduct issues may require immediate action.

10. Mentorship stages and progression

Progression between Bronze, Silver, Gold or any other Programme stages is not automatic. Progression may be based on: attendance and engagement; completion of agreed work; professional conduct; understanding of relevant concepts; ability to reflect on feedback; ethical decision-making; awareness of professional limitations; safe practice; and readiness for increased responsibility.

Canine Capabilities will apply progression criteria reasonably and consistently. Where progression is not approved, the Mentee will normally receive: a clear explanation; the areas requiring further development; recommended next steps; a reasonable opportunity to discuss the decision; and one internal review by somebody other than the original decision-maker where reasonably possible.

Enrolment on one stage does not guarantee admission to or reserve a place on a later stage. Fees for a later stage are not payable unless that stage is expressly included in the original Programme Schedule or separately accepted by the Mentee.

11. Fees

The total Programme price will be stated in the Programme Schedule before enrolment. The price will state whether it includes: VAT; assessments; Resources; Shadowing; travel; venue charges; additional support; certification; and any other mandatory charge. No undisclosed mandatory fee will be added after enrolment. A deposit, where required, forms part of the total Programme price rather than an additional charge.

12. Payment plans

In exceptional circumstances, Canine Capabilities may agree to a payment plan. Where a payment plan is approved: the full Programme price must be stated; every payment amount and due date must be confirmed; any deposit must be identified; any interest or additional charge must be stated; payments must be made in accordance with the agreed schedule; the payment plan is normally a method of paying the fixed Programme price and is not a cancellable monthly subscription; missed payments may result in proportionate suspension of future mentoring access; progression may be paused while an amount remains overdue; and suspension or termination does not remove rights relating to Services that have not been supplied.

If a payment is missed, Canine Capabilities will normally: notify the Mentee; allow at least seven days to correct an accidental missed payment; explain any proposed suspension; provide a final opportunity to resolve continued non-payment; and confirm any termination in writing. Canine Capabilities will not impose an undisclosed penalty or disproportionate late-payment charge. Where Canine Capabilities offers consumer instalment credit, the payment-plan structure must comply with applicable financial-services and consumer-credit requirements.

13. Withdrawal from the Programme

You may withdraw from the Programme by giving written notice. After any applicable statutory cancellation period, the financial outcome will be calculated fairly by considering: Sessions already delivered; mentoring support already supplied; assessments already undertaken; Resources already supplied or accessed; non-recoverable costs reasonably incurred; capacity reserved specifically for you; losses directly resulting from withdrawal; costs saved because the remaining Programme is not delivered; and money recovered by filling the place with another participant.

Canine Capabilities will not automatically retain all fees or demand all future instalments where doing so would exceed the value supplied and reasonable direct loss. Where the Programme is a fixed cohort with limited places, the loss caused by withdrawal may be greater where the place cannot reasonably be filled. Canine Capabilities must still take reasonable steps to reduce its loss.

A written calculation will be supplied when money is retained or remains payable following withdrawal. Failure to complete the Programme does not automatically cancel an agreed payment plan, but the amount remaining payable must be consistent with this section and applicable law.

14. Session cancellations and rearrangements

Mentees are asked to provide at least 48 hours’ notice when cancelling or rearranging an individual Session.

At least 48 hours’ notice. The Session may normally be rearranged without a late-cancellation charge. Rearrangement remains subject to mentor availability and the Programme access period. Repeated rearrangements may require a revised Session plan.

Between 24 and 48 hours’ notice. Canine Capabilities may: offer a replacement Session; treat the original Session as used where the reserved time cannot reasonably be filled; or agree another reasonable arrangement. The decision will take account of the reason, previous cancellations, mentor preparation, whether the slot was filled and the actual loss suffered.

Less than 24 hours’ notice. A late-cancellation administration charge of up to £50 may apply. The charge: must not exceed the standalone value of the affected Session; must reflect reasonable administration, preparation and reserved mentor time; may be reduced or waived where the slot is filled; may be reduced or waived in a genuine emergency; and will not normally be charged in addition to treating the full Session as used. For a Programme Session, Canine Capabilities will normally choose one of the following: treat the Session as used without applying the additional £50 charge; or restore or rearrange the Session and apply an appropriate charge of up to £50. Both will not normally be imposed for the same loss.

Non-attendance. Failure to attend without notice will normally be treated as cancellation with less than 24 hours’ notice. Canine Capabilities will record: whether the mentor attended or prepared; whether contact was attempted; whether the slot could be filled; whether the Session was treated as used; and whether a separate charge applies.

Emergencies. Canine Capabilities may waive or reduce a charge for circumstances such as: serious illness; emergency medical treatment; bereavement; family emergency; serious transport disruption; or another event outside the Mentee’s reasonable control. Sensitive supporting evidence will not be required unless reasonably necessary.

15. Cancellations by Canine Capabilities

Where Canine Capabilities cancels a Session, it will normally offer: a replacement date; an alternative appropriately experienced mentor; a reasonable alternative delivery method; or restoration of the affected Session entitlement. If Canine Capabilities cannot provide a suitable alternative within a reasonable period, the Mentee will be entitled to an appropriate refund for the undelivered element. No Mentee cancellation charge will apply when Canine Capabilities cancels.

Canine Capabilities is not responsible for unrelated travel, accommodation, childcare or loss-of-earnings costs unless those losses were reasonably foreseeable and caused by its breach of contract or negligence.

16. Between-session support

Depending on the Programme Schedule, support may include: email; WhatsApp; voice notes; written feedback; video feedback; and agreed online platforms. Support is provided during reasonable working hours and within professional boundaries.

Unless the Programme Schedule states otherwise: support is not continuously monitored; immediate responses are not guaranteed; the service is not available 24 hours a day; support is not an emergency or crisis service; and messages should remain relevant and reasonably proportionate to the Programme. Indicative response times should be stated in the Programme Schedule or welcome information. Abusive, excessive or inappropriate contact may result in communication boundaries being reviewed.

17. Observation and Shadowing

Shadowing opportunities are educational experiences and are subject to: availability of suitable cases; the Client’s informed agreement; safety and welfare considerations; confidentiality; data-protection requirements; the mentor’s professional judgement; and the Mentee’s readiness and conduct. No specific number or type of live case is guaranteed unless expressly stated in the Programme Schedule.

Mentees must not: attend without authorisation; independently advise the Client; handle a dog without permission and supervision; intervene in a case unless expressly directed; contact the Client outside the authorised setting; use Client details for their own business; solicit the Client; make recordings or screenshots; retain identifiable case information; or publish case information.

Canine Capabilities may limit, substitute, postpone or withdraw a Shadowing opportunity where reasonably necessary. Where Client consent is withdrawn or a case becomes unsuitable, Canine Capabilities will make reasonable efforts to provide an alternative educational opportunity. The withdrawal of Client consent is not a breach by Canine Capabilities.

18. Client consent and data protection during Shadowing

Canine Capabilities will ensure that an appropriate lawful basis and transparency arrangements are in place before identifiable Client information is made available for mentorship purposes. Where appropriate: Client details will be anonymised or minimised; Clients will be informed that a Mentee may observe; specific consent will be obtained where consent is the appropriate basis; access will be limited to what is necessary; Mentees will receive confidentiality and data-handling instructions; recordings will not be permitted without separate permission; and information will not be retained by the Mentee after the authorised purpose ends.

Mentees must immediately report: accidental disclosure; loss of information; unauthorised access; misdirected communications; and suspected confidentiality breaches. If a Mentee brings one of their own cases for discussion, the Mentee is responsible for ensuring that they have lawful authority to use the information and that it is anonymised wherever reasonably possible.

19. Confidentiality

Both Canine Capabilities and the Mentee must protect confidential information disclosed during the Programme. Mentee confidentiality obligations include: Client identities; contact details; behaviour cases; health or household information; business processes; unpublished Resources; professional discussions; other Mentees’ personal information; private feedback; and commercial information.

Confidential information must not be shared unless: the owner of the information has authorised it; disclosure is required by law; disclosure is required to protect somebody from a serious and immediate risk; or it is shared with an appropriate professional adviser who is under confidentiality obligations. A serious confidentiality breach may result in immediate suspension while the matter is investigated. Confidentiality obligations continue after the Programme ends.

20. Intellectual property

Canine Capabilities retains ownership of its pre-existing training materials, Programme content, templates, videos, presentations, handouts, assessments, branding, business processes and written Resources. The Mentee receives a personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use supplied Resources for their own learning and internal professional reference.

Unless written permission is given, Resources must not be: copied for distribution; resold; uploaded publicly; shared with another practitioner; rebranded; used to create a competing course; presented as the Mentee’s original work; or licensed or commercially distributed.

Nothing in these Terms prevents a Mentee from using the general skills, knowledge and experience genuinely learned through the Programme. Work independently created by the Mentee remains the Mentee’s property. The Mentee gives Canine Capabilities a limited licence to review that work for mentoring, assessment and feedback purposes. Third-party material remains the property of its relevant owner and may be subject to separate licence terms.

21. Recordings

A Session must not be recorded by a Mentee without advance permission. Where Canine Capabilities proposes to record a Session, participants will be informed: why it is being recorded; how it will be used; who can access it; how long it will be retained; and whether participation without recording is available. Marketing use requires separate permission and is not a condition of joining the Programme.

22. Professional boundaries and independent responsibility

The Programme does not provide legal, veterinary, medical or psychological advice. Mentees remain responsible for: their own professional decisions; their own clients; their own business activities; obtaining suitable insurance; complying with applicable law; working within their competence; making appropriate referrals; maintaining professional registrations; keeping accurate records; obtaining informed Client agreement; and following safeguarding and data-protection requirements.

Feedback supplied by a mentor must be considered in the context of the information available. It does not transfer responsibility for the Mentee’s independent professional work to Canine Capabilities. This clause does not exclude responsibility for negligent or misleading advice supplied by Canine Capabilities.

23. Welfare, ethics and safety

Animal welfare and human safety are priorities throughout the Programme. Mentees must: use ethical and welfare-focused practices; avoid unnecessary fear, pain, intimidation or distress; respect dogs, handlers, Clients and colleagues; follow risk-management instructions; disclose relevant safety concerns; work within their experience; and seek veterinary or specialist input where required.

Canine Capabilities does not endorse abusive, harmful or intentionally aversive handling. Conduct that presents an immediate safety or welfare risk may result in removal from a Session or immediate temporary suspension.

24. Equality, respect and professional conduct

Abusive, threatening, discriminatory, harassing or seriously disruptive conduct is not permitted. Mentees must respect: Clients; staff; other participants; professional boundaries; different backgrounds and protected characteristics; confidential discussions; and reasonable health and safety instructions. Concerns will normally be raised with the Mentee and an opportunity to respond will be provided unless immediate action is necessary for safety or to protect others.

25. Suspension

Canine Capabilities may temporarily suspend participation where reasonably necessary to investigate: a safety concern; a serious confidentiality concern; alleged misconduct; significant non-payment; misuse of Resources; a serious professional-boundary issue; or a data-protection incident.

The Mentee will normally receive: the reason for suspension; the expected investigation process; an opportunity to respond; an indicative timescale; and the outcome in writing. Suspension will not be used as a punishment before an allegation is considered.

26. Termination by Canine Capabilities

Canine Capabilities may terminate the Programme for: serious or repeated breach of these Terms; serious confidentiality breach; unsafe or unethical conduct; abusive or discriminatory conduct; serious misuse of Client information; repeated non-payment after appropriate notice; persistent refusal to respect professional boundaries; or conduct that makes safe or effective delivery unreasonable.

Except for a sufficiently serious breach, Canine Capabilities will normally: explain the concern; provide a written warning; allow a reasonable opportunity to remedy it; and explain the consequence of continued breach.

If termination results from the Mentee’s material breach, Canine Capabilities may retain payment for: Services already delivered; Resources already supplied; reasonable direct costs; and losses directly caused by the breach. Any balance above those amounts will be refunded. If Canine Capabilities terminates for reasons not caused by the Mentee, the Mentee will receive an appropriate refund for the undelivered Programme.

27. Programme outcomes

Canine behaviour and professional development are complex. Canine Capabilities does not guarantee: particular behavioural outcomes; independent competency; professional registration; qualification status; admission to a later Programme stage; employment; clients; revenue; business success; professional insurance; or membership of a third-party organisation. Canine Capabilities will not make misleading claims about accreditation, career outcomes or likely earnings.

28. Our responsibility

Canine Capabilities is responsible for foreseeable loss caused by: breach of contract; failure to use reasonable care and skill; negligence; and materially misleading information.

Canine Capabilities is not responsible for: independent decisions made by the Mentee; Client work undertaken without Canine Capabilities’ supervision; information withheld by the Mentee; failure to follow clear safety guidance; outcomes outside its reasonable control; or business losses suffered by a consumer acting outside business purposes.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability for: death or personal injury caused by negligence; fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; breach of statutory consumer rights; or any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.

Where the Mentee contracts wholly or mainly for business purposes, and where lawful, Canine Capabilities’ total contractual liability will normally be limited to the Programme fees paid or payable under the relevant Programme Schedule. This business-liability limit does not apply to liabilities that cannot lawfully be limited.

29. Events outside reasonable control

Canine Capabilities is not responsible for delay caused by events it could not reasonably prevent, including: serious illness; extreme weather; venue closure; travel disruption; government restrictions; technology or utility failure; emergency incidents; or loss of a suitable Shadowing case.

Canine Capabilities will take reasonable steps to: inform affected Mentees; reduce disruption; rearrange delivery; use an alternative delivery method; and provide a substitute mentor where suitable. If a substantial part of the Programme cannot be delivered within a reasonable time, the Mentee may end the affected part and receive an appropriate refund for what was not supplied.

30. Changes to the Programme

Canine Capabilities may make reasonable changes where required for: law or regulation; safety or welfare; professional standards; technology; availability of a mentor or venue; or improving delivery without materially reducing value. Material changes that significantly disadvantage an active Mentee will be explained in advance where possible.

Where a material change substantially reduces what was purchased, the Mentee may: accept an appropriate alternative; agree a price adjustment; or end the affected part and receive a proportionate refund.

31. Changes to these Terms

These Terms may be updated for future enrolments. For active Mentees, Canine Capabilities may make changes only where reasonably required for: legal or regulatory compliance; safety; clarification; or administrative changes that do not materially disadvantage the Mentee. A material detrimental change will not be imposed on an existing contract without agreement or an appropriate right to end the affected Services.

32. Personal information

Canine Capabilities will process Mentee information in accordance with its Privacy Policy. This may include: contact details; application information; qualifications and experience; payment information; attendance; mentoring notes; assessments; communications; complaints; progression decisions; and safety or conduct records.

The Privacy Policy explains: the purposes of processing; the lawful bases used; who receives information; retention periods; data-protection rights; and how to make a privacy complaint.

33. Complaints

Concerns should initially be raised with the mentor where appropriate. Formal complaints may be submitted to: kirsty@caninecapabilities.co.uk, or by post to 41 Flowitt Street, Doncaster, DN4 0FL — or through the portal complaints process.

A complaint should include: the Mentee’s name; the applicable Programme; a description of the issue; relevant dates; supporting information; and the outcome sought. Canine Capabilities will normally: acknowledge the complaint within five working days; investigate it fairly; allow relevant people to respond; aim to issue a substantive response within 20 working days; and explain any unavoidable delay.

Making a genuine complaint will not adversely affect progression. Nothing in this process removes any statutory right or right to seek independent advice.

34. Notices

Important notices under these Terms should be sent using the contact information in the Programme Schedule. A Mentee must keep their contact details current. Email notices are treated as received when successfully delivered, unless the sender receives a failure notification.

35. Transfer

A Mentee may not transfer their Programme place to another person without written agreement. Canine Capabilities may transfer the contract to a successor business where this does not reduce the Mentee’s rights. Material transfers will be notified.

36. Entire agreement

These Terms and the Programme Schedule contain the agreement between the parties. This does not exclude liability for fraudulent statements or prevent reliance on information that became a binding part of the contract.

37. Severability

If one provision is found to be unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to apply.

38. No waiver

Failure to enforce a provision immediately does not permanently waive the right to enforce it later.

39. Third-party rights

Unless expressly stated otherwise, a person who is not a party to the contract has no right to enforce it.

40. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the law of England and Wales. Where the Mentee is a consumer, this does not remove any mandatory right to bring proceedings in another UK jurisdiction where applicable.

41. Your portal account

Programme delivery uses the secure Canine Capabilities Mentee Portal. Your account is personal: login credentials must not be shared, and you must tell us promptly if you suspect your account has been compromised. We will never ask you for your password. Optional two-factor authentication is available from your Profile page and is recommended. Portal activity is logged for security and contract administration. Access may be temporarily suspended where reasonably necessary for security; suspension is never used to remove your statutory rights, and while suspended you will retain reasonable access to view your agreement, payment history and complaints route.

42. Portal access period and availability

Portal access begins at enrolment and continues for the Programme duration and access period stated in your Programme Schedule. Resources remain available in the portal for that access period; copies you have lawfully downloaded may be retained afterwards for your own personal and internal professional reference under the licence in section 20. When the Programme ends, is withdrawn from, or is terminated, interactive features (booking, submissions, support) end, while access appropriate to viewing your contractual records is preserved.

Reasonable maintenance may occur, and uninterrupted availability of the portal cannot be guaranteed; planned maintenance will be notified where practical. If a prolonged outage prevents a material part of the Programme being delivered, we will offer reasonable alternatives. Nothing in this section reduces our responsibility to provide the contracted Programme with reasonable care and skill.

43. Mentee submissions

Where you upload assignments, case reflections, videos, images, assessment documents, feedback requests or discussion contributions, they remain your property. You give Canine Capabilities only the limited permission needed to store, review, assess and comment on them, and to keep appropriate Programme records. The portal does not currently include a community discussion area; if one is introduced, conduct rules will be published before use.

44. Electronic agreement

Electronic acceptance through the portal or enrolment process forms the contract. The following form part of the agreement: your Programme Schedule; the version of these Terms you accepted; the privacy information provided; your payment schedule; any required consents you gave (including any early-start request and digital-content consent); and any programme-specific confirmation. Acceptance is captured through unticked checkboxes and stored with the Terms version, date and time, your identity, the acceptance wording, and any early-start request or digital-content consent.

Model cancellation form

Complete this form only if you wish to cancel during an applicable statutory cancellation period.

To: Canine Capabilities, 41 Flowitt Street, Doncaster, DN4 0FL · kirsty@caninecapabilities.co.uk

I hereby give notice that I cancel my contract for the following Programme:
Programme: [Insert Programme]
Contract date: [Insert date]
Mentee’s name: [Insert name]
Mentee’s address: [Insert address]
Email: [Insert email]
Signature: required only if submitted on paper.
Date: [Insert date]