Hearth & Hound Terms & Policies.

Last updated: November 21, 2025

Hearth & Hound pods are small-group, in-person experiences. By registering for a pod, you agree to the policies below.

1. Returns, Cancellations, and Transfers

Hearth & Hound pods are small group experiences, not physical products, so our “return” policy is about cancellations and changes to your registration.

Before the pod starts:

  • Cancellations made 14 days or more before the first session are eligible for a full refund.

  • Cancellations made 7–13 days before the first session are eligible for a 50% refund.

  • Cancellations made less than 7 days before the first session are not refundable.

You may request to transfer your spot to another person before the pod begins. Transfers require written approval so we can update our roster.

After the pod has started:

  • Once the pod series begins, all sales are final.

  • There are no refunds or partial refunds for missed sessions. You are still welcome and encouraged to attend all remaining weeks.

How to request a cancellation or transfer:

To request a cancellation or transfer, please email us with your name, pod name, and start date:

  • Email: emily@hearthxhound.com

  • Subject line: Pod Cancellation or Transfer Request

We will review your request and respond as quickly as we can.

2. Terms of Service

By purchasing a Hearth & Hound pod through this store, you agree to the following terms:

Who pods are for

  • Pods are designed for adults 21 years and older.

Registration and payment

  • Your spot is confirmed only after full payment is received.

  • Registration is for the full pod series (for example, six weeks), not for individual sessions.

  • Pods are intentionally small. Once a pod is full, we may not be able to add additional participants.

Attendance and behavior

Pods work best when the same group shows up each week. Please do your best to attend all sessions.

  • There are no make up sessions or credits for missed weeks.

  • We ask all participants to:

    • Treat others with respect and kindness.

    • Refrain from harassment, discrimination, or disruptive behavior.

    • Limit phone use and treat the space as an intentional, in-person gathering.

We reserve the right to remove any participant who creates an unsafe or harmful environment. In these rare cases, no refund will be provided.

Not therapy or medical care

Hearth & Hound pods are not therapy, counseling, or medical treatment. They are community-based gatherings focused on connection, conversation, and shared experiences.

If you need mental health or medical support, please contact a licensed professional or emergency services.

Dog-friendly pods

For dog-friendly pods like Trail & Tail:

  • Your dog must be healthy, up to date on vaccinations, and generally friendly with people and other dogs.

  • You are responsible for supervising your dog at all times, keeping them leashed where required, and cleaning up after them.

  • You are responsible for any damage or injury your dog may cause.

Assumption of risk

By joining a pod, you understand that activities may include walking outdoors, being in shared spaces, interacting with other people and dogs, and participating in light movement or creative activities. You choose to participate voluntarily and accept these risks.

To the fullest extent allowed by law, Hearth & Hound, its owners, and hosts are not responsible for injury, illness, loss, or damage to you, your dog, or your property that may occur during or as a result of your participation.

Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Illinois.

3. Privacy Policy

What we collect

When you purchase a pod, we collect information necessary to process your order and host your experience, such as:

  • Name and contact details (email, phone number)

  • Billing and payment information (processed securely by our payment provider)

  • Pod selection and scheduling details

  • Any preferences or notes you choose to share, such as dietary needs or accessibility considerations

How we use your information

We use this information to:

  • Process your order and payment

  • Communicate with you about your pod, including reminders or schedule updates

  • Share occasional updates about future pods and Hearth & Hound offerings, if you choose to receive them

You can opt out of marketing emails at any time.

Sharing your information

We do not sell your personal information.

We may share limited information with trusted service providers who help us run Hearth & Hound, such as:

  • Our website and checkout platform

  • Payment processors

  • Email and communication tools

These providers are only allowed to use your information to perform services on our behalf.

Contact

For privacy questions or requests, please contact:

  • Email: emily@hearthxhound.com

  • Subject line: Privacy Question