Happy Paws Happy Hearts
139 Wacol Station Road,
Wacol QLD 4076
Each year, tens of thousands of RSPCA animals spend time waiting to be adopted from a centre. They are provided with vital veterinary services and hands on contact from loving volunteers and foster carers. However, it can be difficult to find enough people to provide regular interactions while the animals are waiting to be adopted.
There are growing numbers of socially isolated Australians hoping to reconnect with the world around them. However, it can be difficult to find meaningful social experiences that also restore self-confidence. For many, social interactions can become few and far between and getting out of the home or hostel can be a daunting occasion. Furthermore, many socially isolated Australians choose to go without a pet or have to surrender their animals because of the long-term care needs.
Happy Paws Happy Hearts offers unique animal care, handling and training programs, designed to give participants a rewarding personal development experience as they nurture and care for shelter animals and prepare them for adoption.
The groups already engaging in these experiences include older Australians, people with mental and/or physical disabilities and veterans.
And yes – we are a registered NDIS provider!
Register your interest in a program and visit us at the RSPCA Adoption Centre to discuss your goals.
We will find you to an upcoming program which meets your needs and goals.
When you’re comfortable you will start working in a group and complete different modules on animal care tasks.
We’ll enjoy the company of rescue dogs, cats, wildlife and farmyards animals who all need your company.
Happy Paws Happy Hearts is a registered NDIS provider offering unique programs which have been designed by experienced animal handlers and disability carers. The program draws on well-established methods to create enjoyable experiences through animal interaction. Happy Paws Happy Hearts programs are delivered by passionate and professional staff and volunteers. For further information, download our disability services overview.
Happy Paws Happy Hearts delivers animal-assisted therapy sessions in group environments at both the RSPCA Animal Care Campus and external facilities. We offer a unique and innovative way to bring people together in a social and engaging manner that leaves lasting impressions. Our aim is to help our participants strengthen existing and create new connections, lessen the occurrence or risk of social isolation and increase knowledge of animal care and welfare. For further information, download our HPHH program overview.
Happy Paws Happy Hearts is pioneering new programs which support ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF). Our dedicated veterans are engaged in intense dog training courses and are coached on how to reform complex dogs at the RSPCA. Many of our participants go on to run new animal-related businesses and stay on as highly skilled volunteers at their local shelter. For further information on this program, please contact us directly.
Happy Paws Happy Hearts is made possible through the combined efforts of volunteers, participants, co-founders and Directors
Co Founder and Program Director
Co Founder
Program Assistant
We have an incredible group of volunteers who were recruited from the University of Queensland School of Psychology. Each volunteer gives up 4 hours a fortnight to run interactions and improve lives of both the people participating and animals in care at the RSPCA.
Our participants provide vital support to animals seeking shelter at the RSPCA by giving them affection, basic training and socialisation skills. They visit the RSPCA on week days, which is when it is most difficult to find people available to spend time with the animals
We started Happy Paws Happy Hearts after witnessing two issues needing a creative solution. On the one hand, we saw a growing number of people disconnecting from society and the first group we wanted to connect with was the elderly. On the other hand, we saw organisations like the RSPCA in need of volunteers, particularly during the working week, to care for smaller animals and kittens. Our light bulb moment was realising that we could make progress on solving both these issues by connecting the two groups together.
Through our journey, we hope to enrich the overall health, wellbeing and welfare of isolated members of society.
We will do this by connecting hearts in need, with paws in need, to facilitate life-enriching interactions.
Enrich the overall health, wellbeing and welfare of isolated members of society, including elderly persons, vulnerable people and members of the community with a disability by facilitating ongoing meaningful interaction between members of our society and animals in need at animal shelters, including the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).
Encourage participants increased sense of value and usefulness to society through assisting the animals in need. Further encourage and facilitate the re-connection of relationships with the participant’s family and friends.
Educate the community regarding welfare issues for isolated members of society and the benefits of ongoing meaningful interaction between these members of our society and animals in need.
Advocate that animals in need can play a significant role in developing and enriching the overall health, well-being and welfare of isolated members of the community.
Advance research into the benefits and outcomes of establishing relationships between isolated members of the community and animals in need.
139 Wacol Station Road,
Wacol QLD 4076