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PAWS BUDDY

VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT

KM PAWS Buddy Volunteer Agreement

Kindling Minds (“KM”) PAWS Buddy Volunteers are individuals passionate about youth mental wellness and the power of human-dog connection, who do not have a registered support dog of their own. PAWS Buddies assist with student engagement, logistics, and overall visit coordination, helping handler-dog teams deliver impactful, therapeutic interactions.

KM PAWS Buddy Policies and Procedures

  • I will abide by all Kindling Minds (“KM”) policies and procedures, and I will adhere to the guidelines that are set forth in this document, KM volunteer handbooks, and any associated updates.
  • I will represent the program in a professional manner: for example, by observing rules of privacy and confidentiality, being on time for visits, not being under the influence of drugs/alcohol, and being well-groomed and professionally dressed in accordance with facility dress codes.
  • I will support the work of the PAWS handler-dog teams in their visits with students, teachers, staff, and other individuals. Supporting our handler-dog teams may include:
  • Assisting teams with visit logistics as needed
  • Advocating for the safety and wellbeing of our PAWS dogs (e.g., crowd control, ensuring respectful interactions)
  • Facilitating student-dog interactions in a professional, kind, and respectful manner
  • Working collaboratively with handlers and school/community staff to ensure that visits are a positive experience for students and teams
  • I understand that I must complete all required training for PAWS Buddy Volunteers prior to participating in school visits.
  • I will report any incidents, accidents, or unusual occurrences involving students, staff, PAWS handler-dog teams, or myself to Kindling Minds and, when appropriate, to school or organizational staff. I understand that it is my responsibility to share all relevant details promptly and to follow KM’s direction. All information will be treated with appropriate sensitivity and confidentiality.
  • I understand that while I am not responsible for the handler-dog team’s conduct, I am expected to be familiar with key PAWS Program policies and procedures in order to help ensure safe, successful visits. These include:
  • PAWS dogs must always remain under the control of their handler— handlers must hold the leash at all times
  • PAWS dogs must wear their official vests during visits
  • Treats should not be used during student-dog interactions, and students should not feed dogs treats or other food
  • Handlers may not take photographs or videos of students or other clients
  • Handlers are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs
  • PAWS dogs will not wear a pinch collar, electronic collar, prong collar, or other “correctional” type devices while on a visit
  • I will abide by all policies, procedures, and precautions of Kindling Minds and each facility I visit.
  • I understand that I am required to wear my KM identification badge (in addition to any identification required by the facility) while participating as a PAWS Buddy Volunteer.
  • I will not borrow money or personal items or receive any personal gratuity or gift, such as money or jewelry, from the people that I visit. Likewise, I understand that it isn’t routinely acceptable to give gifts to the people that I visit, even small gifts such as candy and cookies.
  • I will not charge a fee for services that I perform in my role as a PAWS Buddy Volunteer.
  • I will not take photographs or videos of the people that I visit.

Standards of Professional Conduct

I understand that the following types of unsatisfactory conduct are serious enough that violations might result in termination from the Kindling Minds PAWS Buddy Program:

  1. Breach of client confidentiality
  2. Abuse of any client or animal or conduct that is detrimental to the PAWS Wellness Support Program or Kindling Minds
  3. Theft or unauthorized removal of property
  4. Unauthorized use or possession of intoxicants, narcotics, or other drugs while volunteering as a PAWS Buddy
  5. Being unfit to volunteer because of the influence of alcohol or drugs
  6. Harassment of any type

I agree to abide by KM PAWS Buddy Policies and Procedures and Standards of Professional Conduct included above.


KINDLING MINDS LIABILITY INSURANCE

Kindling Minds (“KM”) maintains insurance, up to certain dollar limits, for damage or injury to other persons or property caused by our volunteers or our volunteers’ animals while participating in KM programs. Such insurance will only be available to the extent that (1) any such damage or injury directly results from a volunteer’s participation in KM programs, and (2) any such damage or injury results from a volunteer’s actions taken consistent with KM programs, policies, procedures, and instructions.

 

VOLUNTEER WAIVER, RELEASE, AND HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT;

KINDLING MINDS’ RIGHT TO TERMINATE RELATIONSHIP WITH VOLUNTEERS

 

The undersigned, a volunteer (“Volunteer”) assisting Kindling Minds (“KM”) with its animal programs, understands and agrees that neither KM nor any other party will be responsible for any accidents, injuries, damages, illnesses or damages, to Volunteer or Volunteer’s property (including Volunteer’s) animal(s)), that occur in connection with Volunteer’s activities and participation with KM and its programs. Accordingly, Volunteer agrees that they will make no claim nor file suit for an injury to Volunteer’s person or property (including Volunteer’s animals), or for any injury, loss or destruction of any article of any kind or nature in connection with Volunteer’s activities and participation with KM and its programs.

Volunteer understands that neither KM nor KM programs nor KM’s respective officers, directors, employees, other volunteers, or agents (“Released Parties”) accept any responsibility for accidents, illness, damage, injury to Volunteer or Volunteer’s property (including Volunteer’s animals) in connection with the operation of KM or its programs.

Volunteer hereby WAIVES all claims arising out of any act or omission of KM and Released Parties, whether or not caused in whole or part by negligence or fault of KM and/or Released Parties. Volunteer understands that there are inherent risks in any KM program activities and those risks are assumed by Volunteer, and Volunteer fully assumes the responsibility for the risk of injury, death or damages to Volunteer or Volunteer’s animals resulting from or caused by Volunteer’s or Volunteer’s animals’ contact with any other animals or caused by participation in KM programs, which could include but is not limited to being bitten, kicked, scratched, spit at, and/or knocked down or otherwise injured.

Volunteer completely RELEASES KM and any programs of KM and the Released Parties from any and all liability for any and all injuries, death or damages to Volunteer or Volunteer’s animals caused by (1) Volunteer’s contact with the animals and/or animal assisted activities, or (2) any other activities taking place in connection with KM programs, whether such injuries, death or damages result from negligence or fault in whole or in part of KM and/or Released Parties.

Volunteer agrees to HOLD HARMLESS KM and Released Parties from and against any and all injuries, damages, liabilities, losses or claims, which arise during or result from participation in KM programs, whether or not caused in whole or in or part by negligence or fault of KM and/or Released Parties.

Volunteer understands during this COVID-19 pandemic, there is a risk of exposure to COVID-19 while participating in any programs or events held by KM. As a condition of participation, Volunteer expressly agrees to comply with the rules and safety guidelines set forth by local, state, and federal governmental entities and KM. Volunteer assumes all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 at any KM programs or events.

Volunteer understands and agrees that KM has the right to terminate the services or dismiss a Volunteer for any reason at any time.

Signing of this agreement binds Volunteer to this WAIVER, RELEASE, AND HOLD HARMLESS agreement, and signing of this agreement indicates Volunteer’s understanding that KM may terminate Volunteer’s services at any time.

Date: November 6, 2025

 

First Participant's Name
First Name*
Middle Name
Last Name*
First Participant's Age Acknowledgment*
First Participant's Date of Birth*
Date of Birth
I certify that I am 18 years of age or older
First Participant's Information

MEDIA WAIVER

I authorize Kindling Minds permission to use photos, videos, verbal, or written feedback about the program and experiences. I understand this information may be used in printed or electronic form including social media for publications, promotional literature, grant writing purposes, education, or any other use for the benefit of the program. *
I DO
I DO NOT
First Participant's Signature*
Second Participant's Name
First Name*
Middle Name
Last Name*
Participant's Date of Birth*
Date of Birth
Second Participant's Information

MEDIA WAIVER

I authorize Kindling Minds permission to use photos, videos, verbal, or written feedback about the program and experiences. I understand this information may be used in printed or electronic form including social media for publications, promotional literature, grant writing purposes, education, or any other use for the benefit of the program. *
I DO
I DO NOT
Third Participant's Name
First Name*
Middle Name
Last Name*
Participant's Date of Birth*
Date of Birth
Third Participant's Information

MEDIA WAIVER

I authorize Kindling Minds permission to use photos, videos, verbal, or written feedback about the program and experiences. I understand this information may be used in printed or electronic form including social media for publications, promotional literature, grant writing purposes, education, or any other use for the benefit of the program. *
I DO
I DO NOT
Fourth Participant's Name
First Name*
Middle Name
Last Name*
Participant's Date of Birth*
Date of Birth
Fourth Participant's Information

MEDIA WAIVER

I authorize Kindling Minds permission to use photos, videos, verbal, or written feedback about the program and experiences. I understand this information may be used in printed or electronic form including social media for publications, promotional literature, grant writing purposes, education, or any other use for the benefit of the program. *
I DO
I DO NOT
Fifth Participant's Name
First Name*
Middle Name
Last Name*
Participant's Date of Birth*
Date of Birth
Fifth Participant's Information

MEDIA WAIVER

I authorize Kindling Minds permission to use photos, videos, verbal, or written feedback about the program and experiences. I understand this information may be used in printed or electronic form including social media for publications, promotional literature, grant writing purposes, education, or any other use for the benefit of the program. *
I DO
I DO NOT
Sixth Participant's Name
First Name*
Middle Name
Last Name*
Participant's Date of Birth*
Date of Birth
Sixth Participant's Information

MEDIA WAIVER

I authorize Kindling Minds permission to use photos, videos, verbal, or written feedback about the program and experiences. I understand this information may be used in printed or electronic form including social media for publications, promotional literature, grant writing purposes, education, or any other use for the benefit of the program. *
I DO
I DO NOT
Seventh Participant's Name
First Name*
Middle Name
Last Name*
Participant's Date of Birth*
Date of Birth
Seventh Participant's Information

MEDIA WAIVER

I authorize Kindling Minds permission to use photos, videos, verbal, or written feedback about the program and experiences. I understand this information may be used in printed or electronic form including social media for publications, promotional literature, grant writing purposes, education, or any other use for the benefit of the program. *
I DO
I DO NOT
Eighth Participant's Name
First Name*
Middle Name
Last Name*
Participant's Date of Birth*
Date of Birth
Eighth Participant's Information

MEDIA WAIVER

I authorize Kindling Minds permission to use photos, videos, verbal, or written feedback about the program and experiences. I understand this information may be used in printed or electronic form including social media for publications, promotional literature, grant writing purposes, education, or any other use for the benefit of the program. *
I DO
I DO NOT
Ninth Participant's Name
First Name*
Middle Name
Last Name*
Participant's Date of Birth*
Date of Birth
Ninth Participant's Information

MEDIA WAIVER

I authorize Kindling Minds permission to use photos, videos, verbal, or written feedback about the program and experiences. I understand this information may be used in printed or electronic form including social media for publications, promotional literature, grant writing purposes, education, or any other use for the benefit of the program. *
I DO
I DO NOT
Tenth Participant's Name
First Name*
Middle Name
Last Name*
Participant's Date of Birth*
Date of Birth
Tenth Participant's Information

MEDIA WAIVER

I authorize Kindling Minds permission to use photos, videos, verbal, or written feedback about the program and experiences. I understand this information may be used in printed or electronic form including social media for publications, promotional literature, grant writing purposes, education, or any other use for the benefit of the program. *
I DO
I DO NOT
Parent or Guardian's Email Address
Email*
Confirm Email*
Check to receive information, news, and discounts by e-mail.
Parent(s) or Court-Appointed Legal Guardian(s) must sign for any participating minor (those under 18 years of age) and agree that they and the minor are subject to all the terms of this document, as set forth above.


By signing below the Parent or Court-Appointed Legal Guardian agrees that they are also subject to all the terms of this document, as set forth above.
Parent or Guardian's Name
First Name*
Middle Name
Last Name*
Phone*
Parent or Guardian's Age Acknowledgment*
Parent or Guardian's Date of Birth*
Date of Birth
I certify that I am 18 years of age or older
Parent or Guardian's Information

MEDIA WAIVER

I authorize Kindling Minds permission to use photos, videos, verbal, or written feedback about the program and experiences. I understand this information may be used in printed or electronic form including social media for publications, promotional literature, grant writing purposes, education, or any other use for the benefit of the program. *
I DO
I DO NOT
Parent or Guardian's Signature*
Electronic Signature Consent*
 By checking here, you are consenting to the use of your electronic signature in lieu of an original signature on paper. You have the right to request that you sign a paper copy instead. By checking here, you are waiving that right. After consent, you may, upon written request to us, obtain a paper copy of an electronic record. No fee will be charged for such copy and no special hardware or software is required to view it. Your agreement to use an electronic signature with us for any documents will continue until such time as you notify us in writing that you no longer wish to use an electronic signature. There is no penalty for withdrawing your consent. You should always make sure that we have a current email address in order to contact you regarding any changes, if necessary.


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