Disclaimer and Terms

1. About these terms

These terms apply to all services provided by Working With Animals, operated by Steve Mullan (sole trader), Waikato, New Zealand. By booking a session or using this website, you agree to these terms.

These terms are governed by New Zealand law. The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the Fair Trading Act 1986 apply to services provided to consumers.

2. Services offered

Working With Animals offers animal communication sessions in the following formats:

• In-person sessions (Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Auckland)
• Remote sessions via Zoom (available worldwide)
• Audio and written readings (delivered by email)
• Business animal integration consulting
• Teaching and workshops

Services are described in more detail on the Services page. Final scope, format, and pricing are confirmed during or after the free intro call.

3. The nature of animal communication

Animal communication as offered by Working With Animals is a complementary service. It is not a science, not a medical or veterinary service, and it is not a regulated profession in New Zealand.

Steve Mullan does not hold veterinary qualifications. Nothing communicated in a session constitutes a diagnosis, medical assessment, or veterinary opinion.

Animal communication may produce useful insights, observations, and practical recommendations. It may also produce nothing clear. Steve will report honestly what he finds and will not invent content to fill a session.

By booking a session, you acknowledge that you understand the nature of this service and that results are not guaranteed.

4. Not a substitute for veterinary care

Working With Animals does not provide veterinary care, medical diagnoses, or health assessments of any kind. Steve Mullan will not advise you to delay, reduce, or avoid veterinary treatment for your animal.

If your animal is showing signs of illness, injury, pain, or distress, please contact your veterinarian first. Animal communication is not an appropriate first response to a health concern.

If something arises in a session that Steve believes may have a physical or medical cause, he will say so and recommend veterinary assessment.

5. No guarantee of results

Working With Animals does not guarantee any specific outcome, insight, behaviour change, or result from a session. Animal communication is not a precise or predictable science, and what a session produces varies.

Testimonials and case examples on this website reflect individual experiences. They are not a guarantee that you will have the same experience or outcome.

6. Quotes and bookings

Pricing for sessions is confirmed during or after the free intro call. Quoted prices are valid for 30 days unless otherwise stated. Prices are in New Zealand dollars (NZD) and include GST where applicable.

A booking is confirmed once payment has been received (or a payment arrangement agreed in writing). Steve reserves the right to decline a booking at his discretion.

If the scope of a session changes materially from what was originally agreed, Steve will discuss this with you and agree any variation before proceeding.

7. Payment

Payment is required before the session unless otherwise agreed in writing. Steve accepts payment by bank transfer (NZ clients) and other methods confirmed at the time of booking for international clients.

For unpaid invoices more than 14 days overdue, Steve reserves the right to charge reasonable late payment interest at 2% per month on the outstanding balance.

8. Cancellation and rescheduling

If you need to cancel or reschedule a booked session:

• More than 48 hours' notice: Full refund or reschedule at no charge
• 24-48 hours' notice: 50% of the session fee is charged; a reschedule may be offered at Steve's discretion
• Less than 24 hours' notice or no-show: The full session fee is charged

If Steve needs to cancel a session on his end, you will receive a full refund or an alternative time will be offered. Steve will give as much notice as possible.

The free intro call can be cancelled or rescheduled at any time with no charge.

9. Completed sessions

Once a session has been completed and the recording and notes delivered, the service is considered fulfilled. Refunds are not provided for completed sessions.

If you are unsatisfied with a session, please contact Steve directly. He will consider your concerns and respond fairly, but is not obligated to provide a refund for a session that has been delivered as agreed.

Under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, services must be provided with reasonable care and skill. If Steve has failed to meet this standard, you may have remedies under that Act. Steve's obligation is to remedy the deficiency or, if that is not possible or reasonable, to provide a partial refund proportional to the deficiency.

10. Client responsibilities

For in-person sessions, you agree to:

• Provide a safe environment for Steve to work in
• Ensure your animal is present and accessible at the agreed time
• Inform Steve in advance of any known safety concerns (aggressive behaviour, medical conditions relevant to the session)

For remote sessions, you are responsible for ensuring a stable internet connection and a quiet space to allow the session to run as intended.

11. Confidentiality

Session recordings and notes are provided for your personal use. Steve treats session content as confidential. He will not share details of your session with third parties without your consent, except as required by law.

You may share your recording and notes as you choose. If you share publicly, we ask that you do so fairly and in context.

12. Limitation of liability

Working With Animals and Steve Mullan accept no liability for:

• Any loss, injury, illness, or harm to your animal arising from or following a session
• Any decisions you make based on the content of a session
• Indirect, consequential, or economic loss of any kind
• Loss arising from your failure to seek appropriate veterinary care

To the extent permitted by law, Steve's total liability for any claim arising from a session is limited to the amount paid for that specific session.

Nothing in these terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, or for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.

These terms do not affect your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 or the Fair Trading Act 1986.

13. Dispute resolution

If a dispute arises, please contact Steve directly in the first instance. Most concerns can be resolved by a straightforward conversation.

If the dispute is not resolved within 20 working days of being raised, either party may refer the matter to mediation. The cost of mediation will be shared equally unless otherwise agreed.

These terms and any disputes arising from them are governed by the laws of New Zealand. Any legal proceedings must be brought in a New Zealand court.

14. Changes to these terms

Steve reserves the right to update these terms from time to time. The current version will always be available at this page. Material changes will be communicated to clients where practicable.

Bookings made before a change are governed by the terms in place at the time of booking.