How a love for animals opened new doors for Louise

After switching to part-time work during COVID-19, Louise Harrison decided she wanted to volunteer for an animal charity as she has always had a soft spot for dogs. Happy Paws Happy Hearts (HPHH) was a ‘pur-fect’ fit as she was able to help both people and animals.   

A common phrase we use at HPHH is that people come for the animals but stay for the people… Louise is no exception. While she found HPHH as she wanted to help rescue animals – having rescued many dogs in her time and feeling a “special connection” with them – she found her impact on our participants particularly meaningful. 

“That lightbulb moment when a participant realises that an animal has been adopted because of their contribution to their care and training is priceless,” Louise says. 

“My favourite thing was seeing the benefit that HPHH brought to both socially isolated people and rescue animals. I love the connections I make with people and love seeing the animals every week.”

Louise volunteered with us for 18 months before being offered a full-time job with HPHH as a Business Development Representative. She was delighted and accepted the offer – and she is still with us 6 months down the track. 

When reflecting on her time at HPHH, she is flooded with memorable moments – too many to choose from. She also feels she has grown as a person, having more empathy for others, especially those with mental health challenges. 

“The most unusual experiences were seeing goats climb the ‘mountain’ participants built for them from pallets, and a HPHH Trainer and participants training a pig to sit and give a trotter,” she says. 

“I understand more about people with mental health challenges. I have learnt so much about the care and training of animals; we’re on the journey with the participants as well.” 

“I’m so proud to be a part of such an amazing organisation that is really making a difference in the lives of people and animals.”