Please read each provision carefully before signing. By signing below, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and voluntarily agree to the following terms.
1. Purpose of This Agreement
This Hold Harmless Agreement applies to any meet and greet, introduction, temperament evaluation, behavioral assessment, training evaluation, or similar in-person visit (each, a “Visit”) in which the undersigned owner or handler (“Owner”) brings their dog (“Dog”) to Trouble Off Your Hands K9 (“the Company”) or meets the Company's staff or dogs at a Company-scheduled location. It is intended to allocate the risks inherent in bringing dogs together and in evaluating dogs, and it supplements — and does not replace — any separate adoption, training, boarding, or service agreement.
2. Owner Assumes Risk — Dog Bites and Injuries to Company Staff
Owner understands that dogs are animals and may behave unpredictably, especially in new environments, around unfamiliar people, or around other dogs. Owner knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risk of injury, bite, scratch, knock-down, illness, or property damage arising from the Dog during a Visit. Owner agrees to hold harmless, release, and indemnify the Company and its owners, trainers, employees, volunteers, and agents from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees) arising out of or related to any injury or damage caused by the Dog — including any bite, scratch, or injury to a Company staff member or other person present — except to the extent caused by the Company's gross negligence or willful misconduct.
3. Owner's Dog Injures or Attacks a Company Dog
If the Dog bites, injures, or attacks any dog owned by or in the care of the Company during a Visit, Owner accepts full responsibility for the incident and for any resulting veterinary expenses, damages, or losses. Owner agrees to hold the Company harmless and to reimburse the Company for any veterinary treatment, care, or related costs reasonably incurred as a result of the incident.
4. A Company Dog Injures or Attacks Owner's Dog
Conversely, Owner understands and agrees that the Company is not liable or responsible if a dog owned by or in the care of the Company bites, injures, or attacks the Dog during a Visit, except to the extent caused by the Company's gross negligence or willful misconduct. Because dogs are unpredictable and the parties accept the possibility of dog-to-dog conflict, Owner agrees that each party bears responsibility for its own dog and its own associated injury, illness, or veterinary costs during meet and greets and assessments. Nothing in this section waives any right Owner may have under applicable law that cannot lawfully be waived.
5. Property Damage
Owner is responsible for any damage the Dog causes to the Company's equipment, vehicles, training spaces, or property during a Visit, including damage to crates, fencing, gates, flooring, and other fixtures.
6. Disclosure of Bite History & Dangerous Propensities
Owner warrants that they have truthfully and completely disclosed in Section 4 of this form any known history of biting, attacking, nipping, fighting, resource guarding, or other dangerous or aggressive behavior, as well as any prior incident or claim involving the Dog. Owner understands that intentionally concealing a known bite history or dangerous propensity may void the protections of this agreement, may result in the Company refusing service, and may be relevant to the allocation of liability. The Company reserves the right to decline or immediately end any Visit at its sole discretion.
7. Health, Vaccination & Parasite Responsibility
Owner confirms the Dog is reasonably healthy and that any required vaccinations are current. Owner agrees to keep the Dog up to date on preventatives for fleas, ticks, and parasites and to disclose any communicable illness. Owner is responsible for any illness or injury the Dog sustains or transmits during a Visit, except to the extent caused by the Company's gross negligence.
8. No Guarantee of Outcome
Owner understands that a meet and greet or assessment is an evaluation only. It does not guarantee acceptance into any program, adoption approval, a specific training outcome, or placement, and the Company may decline to proceed for any lawful reason. Any recommendation or evaluation provided is a professional opinion, not a guarantee of temperament, health, or future behavior.
9. Voluntary Participation & Acknowledgment
Owner confirms that participation in the Visit is voluntary, that Owner is the lawful owner of the Dog or is authorized to bring the Dog, and that Owner has the authority to enter into this agreement. Owner affirms that all information provided in this form is true and accurate.
10. Severability & Governing Law
If any provision of this agreement is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force. This agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by applicable law, and nothing in it waives rights that cannot lawfully be waived. It is governed by the laws of the state in which the Visit occurs.
