From participant to volunteer: Hayley’s travels with HPHH

Hayley joined Happy Paws Happy Hearts (HPHH) in July 2022 because she wanted a pathway to work with animals. Her favourite animal is a fox because they’re fun and sneaky. 

Working through our programs, from Care to Train, Hayley has come out of her shell while at HPHH Wacol. Invited to join Explore in Semester 1 of 2023, she recently graduated and completed her work placement at HPHH. 

In Explore, Hayley learnt ‘lots of stuff’ about independent living – such as cooking and cleaning the house – and has become more confident. She also completed a mock job interview in the city, which was initially a ‘pretty scary’ concept. 

“It wasn’t that scary in the end, and everyone was happy and friendly, which made it easier to talk,” Hayley says. 

“[I now have] more confidence and I’m able to communicate more.” 

In addition to completing her work placement at HPHH, Hayley is a volunteer with us one day a week. She also volunteers one day a week at RSPCA Wacol.  

Hayley goes above and beyond in her duties at HPHH. She has represented us at events – even taking the bus by herself for the first time so she could attend. She did a practice run the day before to overcome her fears of solo travel and to map out where she was going. Skills and confidence that have been fostered in her Explore Sessions. Hayley even stopped in to meet our ‘fur-riends’ at HPHH Mackay while on holiday. She says she wants to visit every HPHH in Australia – which we have no doubt she will do, and we think is a pretty cool goal! 

Hayley’s favourite animals at HPHH are the puppies and kittens. She also loves one dog in particular named Gru, who was moved from RSPCA Mackay to RSPCA Wacol in hopes of adoption success.  

Hayley heard about Gru from our crew in HPHH Mackay. When she learned he was moving to RSPCA Wacol, she promised to see him. After he arrived, she took a photo and sent it to our Senior Program Trainer in Mackay, Susan Armstrong. Gru was finally adopted after almost 6 months in shelters. You can learn more about him here. 

Working with the animals in session makes Hayley feel good. 

“I love it so much and I love seeing the animals get out of their pens and see them happy. It makes everyone else happy,” she says. 

Program Trainer & Case Manager, Sarah Chlonta says Hayley has ‘changed heaps’ in her time at HPHH and that she is an awesome volunteer and person. 

“You’ve always had a really bubbly personality, but now you’re able to have the confidence to share that with other people,” Sarah says. 

Hayley always feels happy when she comes to HPHH and enjoys spending time with the people and animals. 

“I get to see friends that I’ve made and work on friendships as well as work with all the animals and make them happy as well,” Hayley says. 

Hayley would recommend HPHH: “It’s pretty fun and you get to learn heaps of stuff and spend time with lots of animals and do things you’ve probably never done before. Everybody is awesome, funny and friendly and easy to talk to.”