Terms of Use

By using this website you agree to these terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the site.

Everything published here is offered for education and information. It describes how our program works and what we have observed raising and developing dogs. It is not veterinary, medical, legal, or professional advice for your specific animal or situation.

We may update pages, availability, program details, and these terms at any time. The date above shows the most recent revision.

Brain First Shih Tzu™, Brain First Silkie Tzu™, Silkie Tzu™, Brain First Guardian Home Circle™, Layer the Bowl™, and Build the brain, and behavior follows™ are trademarks or program marks of L. Athena “Charity” Knowles, used by Brain First Shih Tzu™ with permission.

All written content, photographs, illustrations, posters, curricula, checklists, protocols, and program materials on this site are original works and are copyright protected. © L. Athena “Charity” Knowles. All rights reserved.

You may read, print, and share our pages for your own personal, non-commercial use. You may not copy, rewrite, resell, republish, train commercial models on, or repackage our materials, protocols, or program language as your own, and you may not present yourself as certified by, affiliated with, or endorsed by our program without written permission.

Submitting an inquiry or application is not a reservation, an approval, or a guarantee of placement. We review every family individually and may decline for fit reasons at our discretion.

Nothing on this website is a contract. Reservations, guardian home participation, and placements are governed by the separate written agreement you sign with us.

Program pathway language — companion, ESA support, therapy, facility, or service foundations — describes early development and observed suitability. It is not a certification, a title, or a promise of any legal access right or future working outcome. Our Program Terms & Clarity page explains this in full.

Animal deposits, reservation payments, and placement payments are final and non-refundable. They hold a specific animal and cover care, development, and program work already performed.

Donations and program support gifts are non-refundable. We are not currently a registered 501(c)(3), so support gifts should not be treated as tax-deductible charitable contributions.

Shop items are arranged individually by email. Prices, availability, and shipping are confirmed in writing before any payment is made. Damaged or incorrect items are replaced — tell us within 14 days of delivery.

We work hard to keep this website accurate, but we do not warrant that every page is complete, current, or error-free, and we are not liable for indirect or incidental losses arising from use of the site.

We link to related organizations, including Ruff Ruff Ranch™ and Crown & Collar™. We do not control those sites and are not responsible for their content or practices.

These terms are governed by the laws of the United States and the state in which our program operates. Any dispute will first be addressed directly between us in good faith before any other action is taken.