At Veterinary Hospital Buckingham, we are committed to protecting the confidentiality and security of our clients' personal information. This privacy policy explains how we collect, communicate, share, use, and protect your personal information in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. 

  

Information We Collect 

 

We collect and store personal information from our clients for administrative and communication purposes, with the aim of administering care to your pets. 

  

This information may include, but is not limited to: 

• Your contact details (name, address, phone number, email address) 

• Details regarding medical treatments and appointments 

• Payment information for services rendered 

• Information about your animal (name, species, breed, age, medical history) 

  

How We Use Your Information 

  

We use your personal information for administrative and communication purposes, as well as for the following reasons: 

  

• Providing veterinary care to your animal 

• Planning and managing appointments and treatments 

• Communicating with you regarding your animal's care 

• Billing for services and processing payments 

• Addressing questions and concerns 

• Referring or consulting with specialists regarding your animal for specialized care either within our clinic or at another facility (radiologist, external laboratory, internal medicine specialist, or other specialists for interpretation) 

• Providing your information to pet medical insurance 

• Collecting unpaid accounts 

• Sending health reminders 

• Following up with treating veterinarians 

• Sending samples or receiving test results from laboratories 

• Sending offers or promotions from Veterinary Hospital Buckingham or its online store if subscribed 

• Identifying for sending your pet to a crematorium after its passing 

  

If we need to use your personal information for purposes other than administrative, we are obligated to seek your consent again through another form clearly indicating the new purposes of collection. 

  

Data Retention Period 

  

We will retain your personal information as long as your pet remains a patient at Veterinary Hospital, and for 5 years after the animal's death or transfer to another clinic, or from the date of the last service provided. After this period, we will proceed to securely destroy all your personal information held by Veterinary Hospital Buckingham. 

  

Methods of Collection 

  

Personal information will be collected through a combination of online forms and communications with record keepers via email, in person, and over the phone. 

  

Sharing of Information 

  

We do not share your personal information with third parties except when necessary, for example, with external consultants such as IT technicians (networks, equipment, software, and data storage systems of a business), radiologists, external laboratories, internal medicine specialists, or other specialists for interpretation. Upon your request, we may also share your information with other veterinary clinics as needed. 

  

Veterinary Hospital Buckingham commits not to give, sell, or rent your personal information to third parties. However, we may share your information with third-party service providers who help us operate our website and provide our services such as our online store. These third parties are required to maintain the confidentiality of your information. Please review our online store policy by visiting the following link: [Privacy Policy of MyVetStore](https://www.myvetstore.ca/PrivacyPolicy). 

  

We will only share information with your consent unless required by law, such as in the case of reporting a contagious disease or legal proceedings. 

  

Location and Security of Your Information 

  

Most data is stored in the veterinary software Logivet, with some data possibly stored in a cloud or shared disk upon external request to a specialist. Data is also stored on an internal server. Regular backups are performed, and only managers and the IT firm have access to administrative functions. The server is isolated from the rest of the network and protected by a firewall to mitigate ransomware risks; operating systems are regularly updated with the latest Microsoft updates, and antivirus software is kept current. Staff are trained in cybersecurity risks. 

  

Veterinary Hospital Buckingham has implemented technological security measures to protect your personal information. Only employees needing to access your personal information for their duties have access. 

  

We also use secure record systems, effective identity and access management, and physical protections to safeguard your information, all in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. 

  

Printed documents containing personal information are added to the electronic record and then securely destroyed internally. 

  

We take reasonable measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. However, no security mechanism can guarantee perfect protection, and there will always be some residual risk. 

  

Changes to Our Privacy Policy 

  

We reserve the right to modify this privacy policy at any time to maintain compliance and reflect changes in our personal information collection and retention processes. If we make significant changes to the policy, we will inform you by posting a notice or publishing a new version of the policy on our website. 

  

Access and Correction 

  

You have the right to access and correct your personal information held by us if it is inaccurate. To exercise these rights, please contact the Privacy Officer at Veterinary Hospital Buckingham. 

  

If you have a complaint regarding this policy or questions about our privacy policy or the processing of your personal information, you can contact the Hospital manager at the email address: jessicahvb@hotmail.com 

 

Jessica St-Jean, Manager & Certified ATC 

(819) 281-0832 

606 av de Buckingham, Gatineau, J8L 2H5