Finding friendship and community through a shared love of animals

Retirement homes can be socially isolating for many people, particularly those without family nearby to pay regular visits. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, retirement homes across Australia were subject to harsh lockdown restrictions, resulting in extended periods of extreme social isolation. 

Cheryl emerged from lockdown eager to venture into the world outside her retirement village. With a big heart full of love for both people and animals, Happy Paws Happy Hearts was the answer to her search for meaningful connection.  

Cheryl has a diagnosis of progressive Parkinson’s disease and has experienced ongoing challenges with adapting to the impact this has had on her days. But this hasn’t stopped her from making strong social connections within the HPHH community in Hunter Valley. She is now an integral part of the close-knit crew, shouting from the rooftops about how much she loves her animal time at HPHH.

From her first visit, Cheryl’s character and beautiful nature revealed itself. She’s extremely passionate, dedicated, funny, a great baker, a confidant and a hard worker. Her kindness, her creativity, her warmth, her genorisity, her ability to make you smile or laugh and her overall beautiful nature makes her one-of-a-kind.

Cheryl recently became a volunteer with HPHH, helping the trainers with their group orientation sessions for new participants in addition to her regular weekly sessions. Cheryl brings her cheerful attitude and love of the program to the group orientation sessions, as well as baked goods, including cakes and scones. 

“I really just make sure everyone realizes how good the program is and praise Happy Paws Happy Hearts every five minutes if I can,” Cheryl says modestly. 

Team Leader, Nina Waterton says she noticed such a difference in the vibe of the group orientation sessions since Cheryl started volunteering. Cheryl is extremely tuned into the room and notices when people are feeling a bit anxious or shy, with the ability to make them feel comfortable naturally. 

“It’s easy to do it, and it’s nice to make them smile,” Cheryl says. 

From all the beautiful photos and memories she has made at HPHH, Cheryl decided to start scrapbooking. She always brings one of her scrapbooks to her group orientation sessions to show people just how much fun the program is. 

“I’ve never done scrapbooking, and I just decided I was going to do one. I filled it up with lots of beautiful photos that I took; I’ve started a new one, which is twice the size (of the previous one),” she says. 

Over time, Cheryl has formed strong bonds with the animals, trainers and fellow participants.  

“My favourite thing about the program is friendship; the caring that we do with each other, the love we all have for each other. 

“It’s like-minded people coming together and we’re all here for a reason.  

“We are very caring, and our teachers are always there if we need them. We are there if they need us. It’s so nice, it’s a shame everyone can’t be like that,” Cheryl says. 

“We all sit and love the animals... we all know that we’ve got different reasons why we’re here. We can talk about it if we want; we don’t have to if we don’t want to. But we’re all willing to listen to each other.” 

Cheryl describes the program as ‘life-changing’, and if she’s ever feeling down, she thinks about her upcoming session, and she instantly feels better.  

“Throughout the week, I think to myself ‘what can I do for Happy Paws (Happy Hearts)?’ I’ve got my other scrapbook... if I don’t feel like knitting, I might cut pictures out or something and decorate and stuff. It always reminds me about the fun,” she says. 

“Don’t ask me to do anything else on Fridays. I’ve got a doctor’s appointment? ‘Sorry, can’t go – it's Friday.’ That’s what I say. Friday is my day of the week; three hours out of seven days is not too bad.” 

Cheryl is a huge contributor to Happy Paws Happy Hearts, always spreading the word and her love for the animal rehabilitation program. In addition to volunteering, she often holds fundraisers and donates ‘three carloads full’ of blankets and towels for the dogs in need. 

“I wish I could do more. There are so many people out there that need Happy Paws Happy Hearts’ help. I’ve watched it help so many people,” she says. 

Cheryl has been a wonderful spokesperson for HPHH, participating in media opportunites. She spoke on ABC Newcastle Radio and was the star of an ABC Online article.