AI Policy

Purpose & Scope

Fernwood Veterinary Clinic (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to using artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly and transparently. This policy outlines how we use AI technology on our website and in our client-facing tools, and sets out the principles that guide that use.

This policy applies to all AI-assisted content, features, and interactive tools available on fernwoodvetclinic.ca. It does not cover clinical decision-making — all veterinary diagnoses and treatment plans are made by our licensed veterinary professionals.

How We Use AI

We currently use AI technology in the following ways:

• Website content:Portions of this website's text, page layouts, and imagery were created or refined with the assistance of AI tools. All AI-assisted content is reviewed by our team for accuracy, clarity, and relevance before publication.
• Interactive pet health tools: Our Pet Age Calculator, Vaccination Schedule Calculator, and Emergency Symptom Checker use rule-based algorithms to provide general guidance. These tools do not use machine learning or collect personal data.

We do not use AI for clinical diagnoses, automated treatment decisions, client profiling, or targeted marketing.

Our Principles

Our approach to AI is guided by the following principles, consistent with the Government of Canada's Directive on Automated Decision-Makingand British Columbia's commitment to responsible technology use:

• Transparency: We disclose where and how AI is used on our website. You should always know when content has been AI-assisted.
• Human oversight: AI-generated content is always reviewed and approved by qualified members of our team before it is published or made available to the public.
• Accuracy: We take reasonable steps to ensure AI-assisted content is accurate and up to date. However, AI-generated content may contain errors or omissions, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional veterinary advice.
• Privacy: AI tools used in the creation of our website do not process, store, or have access to any client or patient data. Our interactive tools operate entirely in your browser and do not transmit data to external services.
• Fairness: We do not use AI in ways that could result in biased, discriminatory, or misleading outcomes for our clients or their pets.

Interactive Tool Limitations

Our website includes interactive tools designed to provide general educational information. These tools are not a substitute for professional veterinary examination, diagnosis, or treatment. Specifically:

• The Pet Age Calculatoruses generalised formulas that may not account for your pet's specific breed, health conditions, or individual factors.
• The Vaccination Schedule Calculatorprovides general guidance based on commonly recommended protocols. Your pet's actual vaccination needs should be determined by a veterinarian based on their individual health assessment.
• The Emergency Symptom Checker is a triage guide only. It cannot diagnose conditions or replace a physical examination. If you believe your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, contact a veterinarian or emergency hospital immediately.

Data & Privacy

Some interactive tools on our website may store data locally in your web browser using localStorage. This data remains on your device and is not transmitted to our servers or any third party. We do not collect, access, or process any information entered into these tools. Clearing your browser data will remove any locally stored information.

For full details on how we handle personal information, please see our Privacy Policy, which is compliant with British Columbia's Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).

External Links & Third-Party Services

This website contains links to external websites operated by third parties, including the PetDesk app, Pet Health Network, and our online store. We do not control the content or AI practices of these sites and are not responsible for their privacy practices or content.

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law in British Columbia, Fernwood Veterinary Clinic shall not be liable for any loss, injury, or damage arising from your reliance on AI-assisted content or interactive tools provided on this website. In the event of a pet health emergency, always seek immediate professional veterinary care.

Policy Updates

As AI technology and applicable Canadian regulations evolve, we will update this policy accordingly. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this policy or how we use AI on our website, please contact: