How HPHH sparked a passion to work with animals

Steph joined Happy Paws Happy Hearts in 2021. Working her way through to our more advanced program, Train, she also graduated from our employment pathways program, Explore in 2023. 

Since graduating from Explore, Steph has found employment as an animal attendant in a boarding kennel.  

“Because of all the training and all the knowledge [I learnt] from Happy Paws Happy Hearts, I got a casual job at the Hunter Dog Centre,” Steph says. 

Her favourite animals are dogs, but she also loves cats and horses. She has worked with many dogs and cats while at HPHH, which she says prepared her for her role at the Hunter Dog Centre. 

“[I love] being close and one-on-one with the animals and learning the skills and knowledge on how to care for them and handle them,” she says. 

In 2023, Steph and her fellow participants met a long-term resident at the Hunter Valley Animal Facility and Rehoming Centre (HVAFARC): a cat named Mr Tiddles. 

“I met Mr Tiddles at the pet shop at HVAFARC,” Steph says. 

“We did a little bit of one-on-one interaction with the cats. It wasn’t just me that fell in love with [him], I think everyone did.” 

Deciding to do a more formal meet and greet, Steph said the first thing he did was headbutt her face and jump in her lap: “I was like oh my gosh, this is the one.” 

“He’s very cheeky, but he’s also very playful. Most of the time, he’s really snuggly. He would crawl into your lap for a cuddle.” 

Steph has brought him back to visit the HPHH team because he was a resident for a long time.  

“Everyone is so excited when he comes back in because he was the crowd favourite,” Team Leader Nina Waterton says.  

Steph says she is most proud of building confidence around animals in her time at HPHH. 

“Especially those dogs who jump on you. I know the strategy to distract them and redirect it into a positive behaviour that we want,” Steph says. 

Since joining HPHH, Steph says she has become more confident and experienced personal growth. 

“I found something that I’m passionate about,” she says. 

“Happy Paws Happy Hearts makes me feel happy because animals just give you joy.”