Privacy Policy

Effective Date: July 2026

At Helen The Physio, we are committed to protecting your privacy and handling the personal information of our clients and referring veterinarians with the utmost care, respect, and confidentiality.

This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and disclose your personal information in accordance with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020.

1. Information We Collect

To provide high-quality animal physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and professional care, we collect personal and clinical information. This may include:

  • Contact Information: Your name, email address, physical address, and phone number.

  • Animal Information: Your animal’s name, species, breed, medical history, lifestyle details, and movement tracking data.

  • Clinical Records: Referral forms, veterinary diagnostic history, imaging (X-rays, scans), clinical assessment notes, and treatment plans.

  • Website Data: Basic analytics collected through our website platform (e.g., how you interact with our site) to help us improve your online experience.

2. How We Collect Your Information

We collect personal information directly from you when you:

  • Fill out a contact or enquiry form on our website.

  • Discuss your animal's care with us via phone, text, or email.

  • Engage us for an initial consultation or ongoing treatment sessions.

We also collect information indirectly when a primary veterinarian or veterinary specialist submits a referral form and shares your animal's clinical history with us to ensure safe, aligned care.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Deliver tailored physiotherapy assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation programmes.

  • Communicate with you regarding appointments, updates, and home exercise plans.

  • Coordinate, align, and share clinical outcomes directly with your primary veterinarian.

  • Manage invoicing, administrative tasks, and internal record-keeping.

  • Comply with our professional, legal, and insurance obligations.

4. Sharing and Disclosing Your Information

We treat your information as strictly confidential. We will only share your personal or clinical data under the following circumstances:

  • With Your Veterinarian: We maintain an open, professional communication loop with your animal’s referring vet, sharing assessment summaries, clinical progress, and discharge notes to ensure continuity of care.

  • With Allied Professionals: If you choose to utilise local partners we collaborate with (such as hydrotherapists or orthotic specialists), relevant clinical data may be shared solely to benefit your animal's treatment.

  • As Required by Law: We will disclose information if required to do so by New Zealand law, or to protect the safety and rights of our practitioners, clients, or patients.

We never sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

5. Storage and Security

We take reasonable technical and administrative steps to protect your personal data against loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. Your information is stored securely on protected digital platforms and practice management systems.

Clinical records are retained for the legally required period under New Zealand healthcare regulations before being securely destroyed.

6. Your Rights

Under the Privacy Act 2020, you have the right to:

  • Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.

  • Request that we correct any inaccuracies or outdated information in your records.

If you would like to access or correct your personal information, please reach out to us using the contact details below.

7. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practice or legal requirements. Any updates will be posted directly on this page with a revised effective date.

8. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding your privacy or this policy, please contact Helen directly: