COMMUNITY GUIDELINES

PAWS TO HEAL TOGETHER

Last Updated: May 14, 2025

Welcome to the Paws to Heal Together community! We're delighted to have you join our community of animal lovers, caregivers, and wellness enthusiasts. These guidelines are designed to foster a supportive, respectful, and educational environment for everyone.

OUR COMMUNITY VALUES

At Paws to Heal Together, we believe in:

Compassion: For both animals and humans

Education: Sharing knowledge to improve animal welfare

Respect: For diverse perspectives and experiences

Safety: Creating spaces where everyone feels secure

Support: Helping each other through challenges

GENERAL CONDUCT

Be Respectful

Treat others with kindness and considerationAcknowledge diverse viewpoints and experiencesRefrain from personal attacks, bullying, or harassmentBe mindful of language and tone in all communicationsConsider cultural differences in communication styles

Foster Supportive Discussions

Contribute positively to conversationsOffer constructive feedback when appropriateShare personal experiences that might help othersRespond thoughtfully to questions and commentsBe patient with those who are new to animal wellness concepts

Protect Privacy

Respect the confidentiality of shared personal storiesDo not share someone else's private information without permissionBe cautious about sharing identifiable details about yourself or your animalsRespect boundaries when others request privacyAsk permission before sharing someone else's content outside the community

CONTENT GUIDELINES

Appropriate Content

Relevant discussions about animal wellness, care, and the human-animal bondEducational resources and informationPersonal experiences with animal care techniquesQuestions seeking advice or clarificationSupportive messages for community members

Prohibited Content

Medical diagnosis of animal conditionsAdvice that contradicts veterinary guidanceContent promoting harmful practicesExplicit or graphic imageryHate speech or discriminatory contentSpam, solicitations, or irrelevant promotionsMisinformation or unverified health claimsContent that violates copyright or intellectual property rights

Sharing Animal Health Information

Always preface advice with "in my experience" or similar qualifiersEmphasize the importance of veterinary careShare personal experiences rather than making prescriptive recommendationsBack up claims with credible sources when possibleDo not contradict or discourage seeking professional veterinary care

SPECIFIC COMMUNITY SPACES

Online Courses and Programs

Respect the learning process of all participants

Keep discussions focused on course topics

Share your experiences implementing techniques

Ask questions when you need clarification

Support fellow students in their learning journey

Social Media Groups

Follow platform-specific guidelines in addition to these community guidelinesUse appropriate hashtags and content warnings when necessaryCredit sources when sharing external contentRespond to comments on your posts when possibleReport inappropriate content to moderators

In-Person Workshops

Respect physical boundaries of both people and animalsFollow safety instructions provided by facilitatorsAsk permission before photographing othersBe mindful of shared space and equipmentHonor confidentiality of personal stories shared during workshops

MODERATION AND ENFORCEMENT

Moderator Role

Our community moderators work to:

Ensure a safe and positive community experienceEnforce these community guidelines fairly and consistentlyAnswer questions about community standardsAddress reported violations promptlyFacilitate productive discussions

Reporting Violations

If you encounter content that violates these guidelines:

Use the reporting feature in the platform where the violation occurredEmail concerns to [email protected] specific details about the violationDo not engage directly with problematic content or users

Consequences for Violations

Depending on the severity and frequency of violations, consequences may include:

A friendly reminder about our guidelines

Content removal

Temporary restriction from posting or commenting

Removal from the community

Restriction from future participation in Paws to Heal Together programs

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Discussing Animal Loss and Grief

Show compassion to those experiencing griefAvoid minimizing others' emotional experiencesRespect different grief processes and expressionsRefrain from offering unsolicited adviceUse content warnings when sharing detailed stories of loss

Discussing Controversial Topics

Approach with respect and open-mindednessFocus on education rather than persuasionBack up claims with credible sourcesAcknowledge differing perspectivesDisengage respectfully if a conversation becomes heated

AMENDMENTS TO GUIDELINES

These guidelines may be updated periodically to better serve our community. Major changes will be announced through our primary communication channels. Community members are encouraged to review the guidelines regularly.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions about these guidelines or to report concerns:

Email: [email protected]

Thank you for helping create a positive and supportive community!

Amalia Reeves
Paws to Heal Together