How this talented young athlete is improving her animal handling skills at HPHH

Belinda joined our Train program at Happy Paws Happy Hearts Toowoomba in 2021, inspired by her love of animals. Growing up, she always had lots of cats and dogs. She currently has 3 cats, which are her favourite animal, and a tropical fish.  

“I love their personalities. Every cat has a different personality. I love their independence as well,” Belinda says. 

Through participating in our program Belinda helps to provide hands-on training to the rescue animals awaiting adoption at RSPCA Toowoomba, helping them prepare for their new homes. Her favourite part about HPHH is seeing animals become more confident. 

“You see animals get more confident from one week to the next week. At first, they’ll have their tail between their legs, and then next week, they’ll be happy as Larry,” Belinda says. 

Belinda uses the skills and knowledge she has learnt from HPHH with her cats at home, which has helped her care for them. 

“I use a lot of the enrichment and have a better understanding of body language,” she says. 

She fondly remembers a Great Dane called Teddy, when reflecting on her favourite memory of an animal at HPHH, . 

“We worked with him for quite a long time. When he first came, he was very scared, and he got really happy [after working with her at HPHH], and he got adopted,” Belinda says. 

Belinda says she has become more confident, particularly around dogs, since joining HPHH. 

“I used to be a little bit shy of dogs. But now, I’m really happy to hardness a dog,” she says. 

An ambitious and talented young woman, Belinda travelled to France in 2023 to represent Australia in the INAS Global Games, competing in the 100-meter sprint and relay. 

“I got to go with the team and socialise with other people from different countries,” she says. 

“It was just an amazing experience, and I got a bronze medal in the relay.” 

Her dream job would be to work at a cattery. She would recommend HPHH to anyone who wants to learn to handle and train rescue animals.  

“I look forward to [coming to HPHH] every week,” she says. 

“I try to never miss out on a session.” 

We look forward to seeing Belinda continue to smash her goals and are so proud to know such an amazingly talented athlete and awesome person.   

Two of Belind'a’s three cats lying in her bed