PRIVACY POLICY

1. HIPAA Compliance

HelpfulPets.com connects individuals with mental health professionals for emotional support animal (ESA) and psychiatric service dog (PSD) training evaluations and recommendations. In doing so, we may collect, store, and share protected health information (PHI) as defined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). As a business associate to mental health professionals, we adhere to HIPAA regulations and cannot use or disclose PHI in any way that a mental health professional would not be permitted to. For more details on how your clinician manages your PHI, please refer to their privacy notice.

2. Information We Collect

We collect personal information in the following ways:

Directly from You

When you interact with us, we may collect:

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address.
• Account Details: Login credentials and security preferences.
• Transaction Information: Payment details and purchase history.
• Photographs: If you apply for a HelpfulPets.com scholarship.
• Health-Related Information: Mental health details submitted in PSD training and ESA letter applications.
• Demographic Information: Age, gender, race, ethnicity, if required by a mental health professional.
• Employment and Educational Information: Relevant for scholarship applications, ESA letters, or PSD training.

Automatically from Your Device

When you use our online Services, we may collect:

• Device Information: IP address, device type, operating system, browser type.
• Usage Details: Date, time, pages viewed, time spent on pages, search terms.
• Location Information: If you provide access to your device’s location.
• Session Activity: Mouse movements, clicks, pages visited, and text entered.

From Third Parties

We may receive:

• Health Information: From your clinician during ESA letter or PSD training.
• Marketing and Advertisement Data: From online advertising partners regarding ads you have seen or clicked.

Certain data, such as payment information, is processed by third-party providers. HelpfulPets.com does not store payment card details.

3. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to improve user experience and optimize marketing. This includes:

• Analytics: We use Google Analytics to track website performance. Learn more at Google Analytics Privacy.
• Advertising: We use Google Ads and Facebook Pixel to serve targeted ads. More information can be found at Google Ads Privacy and Facebook Privacy Policy.
• Email Tracking: Some third-party partners associate your activity with your email address for marketing communications. You can opt out at Retention.com Opt-Out.

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings or use opt-out links provided above.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use the information collected to:

• Provide and maintain our Services.
• Facilitate communication with mental health professionals.
• Respond to inquiries and provide customer support.
• Analyze and improve Services, marketing efforts, and advertising.
• Ensure compliance with legal and industry requirements.
• Prevent fraud and enforce security policies.

We may use and share aggregated or de-identified data for research, analysis, or marketing purposes.

5. Sharing Your Information

We may share your personal information:

• With Service Providers: Third parties who provide technology, business, and professional support services (e.g., IT providers, hosting platforms, payment processors).
• With Mental Health Professionals: To facilitate ESA letter or PSD training evaluations.
• With Analytics and Advertising Partners: For measuring website traffic and serving interest-based ads.
• With Affiliates: For purposes consistent with this Privacy Notice.
• In Corporate Transactions: If HelpfulPets.com is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale.
• For Legal Compliance: When required by law, court orders, or law enforcement.

6. Data Protection & Security

We implement physical, technical, and administrative safeguards to protect your data. However, no online platform is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill its original purpose, comply with legal obligations, or protect our legal interests. Retention periods vary depending on:

• Business and legal requirements.
• Regulatory compliance needs.
• Security and fraud prevention measures.

8. Your Privacy Choices

You have the following privacy rights:

• Manage Account Information: Update your profile through your HelpfulPets.com account.
• Email Preferences: Unsubscribe from marketing emails using the link in any email.
• Ad Tracking: Adjust your settings via Google Ads Ad Settings and Facebook Ad Preferences.
• Cookie Preferences: Adjust settings via HelpfulPets.com Cookie Management.
• Opt-Out of Data Collection: Use tools such as Network Advertising Initiative and About Ads.

9. Children’s Privacy

We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under the age of 13. If we become aware of such data, we will take steps to remove it. Parents can contact us at support@helpfulpets.com to request deletion.

10. Privacy Notice Updates

We may update this Privacy Notice periodically. The “Effective Date” at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision. We encourage you to review this notice regularly.

11. Additional Notice for California Residents

Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), California residents have rights to access, delete, correct, and limit the use of their personal data. Please note that protected health information is not covered under CCPA.

For more details or to exercise your rights, contact us at support@helpfulpets.com.

Contact Information