From Timid to Trusting, Gabby and Daisy’s journey

Participant Gabby with timid pup Daisy sharing a special moment of trust together

At Happy Paws Happy Hearts (HPHH), the bond between people and animals is at the heart of everything we do and Gabby’s journey with rescue Pup, Daisy at Hunter Valley Animal Facility & Rehoming Centre (HVAFARC) is just one heart-warming example.

Gabby first joined our programs in 2020, seeking a way to get out of the house and find purpose in her days. "I was just wanting to be able to get out a bit more as I was pretty much a homebody, going to work and then coming home”, Gabby recalls.

When Gabby’s Support Coordinator recommended Happy Paws Happy Hearts as a safe place where she can come and interact with animals, what she discovered was a profound calling to help rescue animals in need.

One of the animals that captured Gabby's heart was Daisy, a timid pup who had withdrawn after arriving to HVAFRC. For weeks, Gabby patiently sat outside Daisy's kennel. She started off by throwing treats facing away from her, with no eye contact and at a safe distance.

"She wouldn’t even come near small pickings of treats, it had to be long sticks which she could easily identify", Gabby explains. "I made sure I kept close to the wall so I didn't intrude too close to her kennel or 'safe space'. Initially, I just sat and ignored her, doing stuff on my phone, just letting her come and go and gave her the room to approach me near the fence when she was comfortable."

Gabby's unwavering dedication paid off. Slowly but surely, Daisy began to emerge from the inner shelter in her kennel and Gabby was able to talk to her and interact with her through the fence, still at a safe distance.

These small but safe interactions happened for a few months until Gabby was able to enter Daisy’s kennel and even begin taking her out on walks and introducing her to new environments.

Recently, Gabby and Daisy reached an incredible achievement together.

Gabby and Daisy were in the HPHH training room and Gabby had placed a bed down for Daisy to get comfortable on. Gabby watched Daisy pace from the bed to where Gabby was on the other side of the room, back and forward. After a few times of Daisy doing this, looking up to Gabby each time, Gabby was able to identify what Daisy was communicating – that Daisy wanted to lay on her bed and have Gabby sitting down there with her.

"I was shocked thinking 'oh you want me to come over there!' and the realising she's allowing me to sit next to her", Gabby said.

"It was then that I cautiously put my hand near her but still at a safe enough distance away and she moved herself closer. It was the first time I had pet her since meeting her back in April.”

This milestone moment is a testament to the power of patience and compassion, and dedication from HPHH participants to the wellbeing of these shelter animals.

For Gabby, these small victories are what make her involvement with Happy Paws Happy Hearts so meaningful. "The progress made with Daisy is probably something I am most proud of and just being able to share so many special 1:1 moments with her", she says.

But Gabby's impact extends beyond her work with Daisy. As one of the longest-serving participants in our programs in the Hunter region, Gabby has helped countless other rescue animals find their way to loving homes. Her dedication has not only transformed the lives of the animals she's worked with, but her own life as well.

"I used to get frustrated and annoyed a lot when I started the program as these dogs would look at me sadly, but I couldn't do anything to help," Gabby reflects. "But I have learned how to interact and communicate with animals, the patience you need and how to build their trust and that bond before anything will happen."

"If you want to get a dog to come to you who's a bit nervy [nervous], you’ve got to be on their level physically and understand them mentally," Gabby advises. "It's hard to explain that to people."

Hunter Valley Team Lead/Trainer, Nina, talks about the incredible transformation of Daisy, who at the time of interviewing with Gabby, was sitting in the room with them. “If you weren't here giving her that calming presence and touch with those occasional pets, she'd still be in her kennel, hiding, shivering and not coming out. And it's pretty amazing to see the change. What you have done here at the shelter is incredible”, Nina concluded.

This transformation is at the heart of what HPHH aims to achieve. By providing opportunities for people to engage with rescue animals in a safe and supportive environment, we witness the profound impact that these interactions can have on both the animals and participants (paws and hearts). 

While speaking of Gabby’s achievements, her humble nature showed. “I don't like taking credit for the achievements we see with the animals. For me, I feel like it takes away from the animal themself. Some people say, 'they wouldn't be where they are now without you', and that may be true, but they had to put their trust in me blindly before I could get them to that point. Ultimately, they've done a lot more work compared to what I had to do”, Gabby reflected.

Since progressing through the HPHH programs, Gabby has recently graduated from our ‘Explore’ employment pathways program which aims to build vocational skills and to support young people's transition to meaningful volunteer work, study and/or employment. Gabby has since gained employment and volunteers at the shelter a few times a week when she can in between work. Gabby emphasised how coming to HPHH and even the volunteer work is different for her. “It feels like you are coming to work but I actually want to be here, and I enjoy it. Even if I have a day off, I will try and come in just so I can interact with the animals and be a familiar face for them.”

As Gabby continues her Happy Paws Happy Hearts journey, her story serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of the human-animal bond. We are incredibly grateful to have such a committed and compassionate participant like Gabby to positively impact the livelihoods of the animals at HVAFARC and look forward to seeing more impactful moments.

If Gabby’s story has inspired you or you know of someone who might similarly benefit from the experience at Happy Paws Happy Hearts, head to our website to find out more about our programs at www.hphhfoundation.org or call our friendly enrolment team on 1300 077 984.