Meet Kousha, student volunteer

Kousha with puppy, Grape.

We're excited to introduce Kousha, a volunteer at our Wacol location, whose story highlights the incredible impact volunteers collectively bring to our sessions and participant experiences.

Kousha first joined Happy Paws Happy Hearts (HPHH) on a student internship for his Bachelor of Counselling. With a lifelong love for animals, he saw HPHH as the perfect opportunity to combine his academic goals with his passion.

Although he had grown up with a variety of animals including cats, chickens, turtles, ducks, and even doves, his experience with dogs was limited. So, Kousha was excited about the new challenge of learning about and working with rescue dogs at RSPCA’s Animal Care Campus. When speaking with us, Kousha reflected how quickly he has discovered the charm of working with dogs.

Three-months into his volunteering, Kousha has completed his required internship hours but has decided to continue to volunteer with us on a weekly basis. Reflecting on his time so far, he has found great joy in witnessing participants engaging with the animals.

“You just see their faces light up during sessions. They might have been having a tough week and at times you might notice some participants are more reserved than usual, but as soon as an animal comes into the room, it completely shifts their energy. There is happiness but it can also feel very serene. For example, some participants just completely relax and focus on the presence of an animal—it’s amazing to see”, Kousha said.

He has also attributed his decision to continue volunteering to the foundational skills he is building such as resilience, empathy, and social and emotional intelligence. 

“Volunteering at HPHH has enriched my emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills —both qualities are crucial to my future career in counselling, but similarly are also skills I believe are complimentary to any profession. I also see how these are skills that participants are also learning and nurturing in their sessions. Even if it’s as simple as coming into a space where they can feel a sense of belonging, enabling them to express themselves freely and without judgement”, Kousha said.

Kousha shared that his fondest moments volunteering at HPHH have been witnessing the courageous hearts of participants. He gave examples of participants initiating conversations with each other and also with him even when he was new in the room. Kousha also reflected on things he hadn’t anticipated, such as learning to become comfortable with the uncomfortable.

“While each session is structured, not every class goes to plan, particularly when animals are involved. Some days we have to pivot and change activities, so we need to remain flexible in our approach. Conversely, I believe this only builds on one’s adaptability and resilience, as it does with the participants too, who often can be more comfortable with structure”, Kousha notes.

For Kousha, volunteering is about being a supportive presence. He emphasises that while volunteers may not always have a direct impact on participants, their role in creating a seamless and inclusive environment is essential to participants’ experiences. By assisting trainers, managing animals, and intuitively stepping in where needed, volunteers help ensure the success of every session – particularly in moments of change. Kousha also credits the experienced volunteers who helped him gain confidence in this new setting, and the welcoming culture of HPHH for helping him transition into his role.

“One of the other volunteers, Eli, really helped me settle in and get a better understanding of the role and expectations as a volunteer. I found their guidance incredibly helpful and comforting as I found my own feet as a volunteer”, Kousha said.

Our volunteers across the country are the backbone of HPHH, bringing energy, compassion, and instrumental support to every session. Their contributions not only support trainers but also create meaningful moments for participants and animals alike.

If you're inspired by Kousha’s journey and want to experience the impact of bringing people and rescue animals together to create positive change, head to our Volunteering page to find out more and enquire about volunteering with us at: https://www.hphhfoundation.org/volunteer