Why our Defence Families Program is a ‘really rare’ experience

Eloise heard about HPHH through her local RSL. Looking for opportunities to engage with people and animals, she joined our Defence Families Program at Happy Paws Happy Hearts (HPHH) Dakabin 10 weeks ago.

Families joining this unique 10-week group program, funded by RSL Queensland, will learn animal training skills while working with the shelter animals in the care of RSPCA Queensland. Along the way, families build strategies for better communication and cohesion, while engaging with other participants and the broader community.

“The Defence Families Program is a great way to connect with a community of people who all have the common element of defence but a wide range of different experiences,” Eloise says.

“I have an interest in developing meaningful experiences, and the program allowed for a deeper connection with people and animals. I have a rescue dog, so they are right up my alley.”

Eloise’s rescue dog, Dolly Parton, adds something to her life ‘that nothing else can’.

“She is just a little ball of love. Her favourite things are going to the park every day and running through the hose,” she says.

One part of the program that she loves is the adoption tours, as she loves to meet all the animals waiting for their forever homes and training with them to help them get adopted sooner.

“There was one dog that I loved working with: Charlie. It was especially good to be able to help him in his recovery,” Eloise says.

“He is a really special dog with a calming energy. The HPHH team did a great job of creating a really safe space for everyone, even Charlie.”

Eloise’s favourite thing about HPHH is seeing the children enjoying time with the animals.

“It was a Defence Families Program, but no one had to engage with their defence history. It wasn’t like so many other defence programs where you almost have to prove your defence credentials,” Eloise says.

“It was for people who have been engaged with defence without it being about that. I loved that there was no judgement, which is a really rare thing these days.”

Since finishing our Defence Families Program, Eloise is proud to have become a volunteer at the RSPCA Dakabin. She says: “If it weren’t for HPHH, I wouldn’t have ever done that.”

When reflecting on how she changed throughout the program, Eloise says she better understands positive and reward-based training for dogs, and training with fewer corrections.

“I think I approach all interactions with a lot more compassion,” Eloise says.

“Whether it’s a human, animal or [another context], approaching these interactions really considering where they’re coming from.”

HPHH makes Eloise feel ‘really great’. She loved being able to engage with a community, and she looked forward to her sessions each week.

“It was great to come home and feel content after working with all those animals who were just happy to get out of their kennels and be part of something. I think we felt the same as they did in many ways,” she says.

Eloise has recommended HPHH to others ‘many, many times’ - especially to families with kids.

“[This program was] the start of my journey working with rescue animals more. I feel really lucky and fortunate to have had the opportunity and experience,” she says.