Privacy Policy
1. Introduction
Hounds for Heroes, Inc. is committed to protecting the privacy of our donors, volunteers, applicants, and website visitors. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard personal information through our website, houndsforheroes.net.
2. Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of personal information:
- Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address
- Donation and payment details
- Application materials and training progress
- Medical or psychological disclosures (for service dog applicants)
- IP address and browser data (via cookies and analytics tools)
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
- Process donations and issue receipts
- Communicate updates and newsletters
- Evaluate service dog applications
- Manage volunteer participation
- Improve website functionality and user experience
4. Disclosure of Information
We do not sell or rent your personal information. We may share it only:
- With your explicit written consent
- With trusted third-party service providers (e.g., payment processors, email platforms)
- As required by law or legal process
5. Data Protection and Security
We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your data, including:
- Secure servers and encrypted communications
- Restricted access to sensitive records
- Confidentiality training for staff and volunteers
6. Cookies and Tracking
Our website may use cookies to enhance user experience and track site performance. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.
7. Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have rights to:
- Access, correct, or delete your personal data
- Opt out of communications
- Request data portability
To exercise these rights, contact us at info@houndsforheroes.net.
8. Third-Party Services
We use platforms like Wix and Google Workspace to manage our website and communications. These services comply with relevant data protection laws and have their own privacy policies.
9. Children’s Privacy
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have inadvertently collected such data, we will delete it promptly.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date.
11. Contact Us
For questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, contact:
Scott Grimes
Partner, Mattison
6510 Telecom Drive, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46278
Email: info@houndsforheroes.net
12. Data Retention
We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, including:
- Processing donations and issuing receipts
- Evaluating service dog applications
- Managing volunteer and event participation
- Complying with legal, tax, and audit obligations
Retention Periods:
- Donation records: retained for at least 7 years for financial and tax compliance
- Applicant data: retained for up to 5 years after the last interaction unless otherwise requested
- Volunteer records: retained for 3 years after the last activity
- Website analytics: retained for up to 2 years
You may request deletion of your personal data at any time by contacting us at info@houndsforheroes.net. We will honor such requests unless retention is required by law or for legitimate organizational purposes.