Helping socially isolated Australians find connection

Right now, over 3.2 million Australians are facing social isolation. And at RSPCA shelters alone, more than 77,000 animals are waiting for adoption (Happy Paws Happy Hearts, 2026). 

Happy Paws Happy Hearts (HPHH) Founder and CEO Zoë Black recognised the connection between these two complex social problems. She knew there were hundreds of rescue animals that needed extra time and attention. And that there were amazing people across Australia who were feeling socially isolated - empathetic people who understood the trauma these rescue animals are experiencing. The idea for HPHH was sparked after she asked herself, “What if we could bring those two things together?” 

HPHH is a social enterprise that delivers structured programs built on trust, community and the simple power of showing up for one another. Ten years on, they’re on their way to supporting 10,000 socially isolated people by 2032.

We’re proud to welcome HPHH as one of our first charity partners on the Friendship Tree platform. In our conversation with Zoë, she shared the heart, history and hope behind an organisation that has transformed lives.

Image: Happy Paws Happy Hearts

Redefining Connection: A New Way People and Animals Thrive Together

HPHH is a unique part of the Australian charity landscape. Instead of bringing animals to people through a one-on-one visitation program, they work with the animals already waiting in rescue organisations.

“That slight tweak meant that HPHH was very unique from the get-go,” Zoë said.

“Participants don’t just get benefits from spending time with animals, they strengthen their sense of purpose too because those animals need patience, attention and care as well.”

HPHH’s programs recognise that learning to train and care for animals - showing patience, consistency and empathy - can help people rebuild confidence, wellbeing and social connection.

Zoë recalled a participant preparing for a job interview with the help of HPHH. To develop their skills and confidence, it was suggested that they first write a CV for one of the animals.

“This helped them understand that if that animal didn't find its right home straight away, it doesn't make that animal any less worthy,” she said. “We can then apply this understanding to job interviews. If we’re not successful, it doesn’t make us any less worthy either.” 

From helping young people become job ready to providing support for veterans, each HPHH program is thoughtfully designed to fit what each community needs the most.

From personal healing to a national movement 

HPHH began with Zoë’s own healing. After surviving and escaping life-threatening domestic violence, she was diagnosed with PTSD. She searched for something that would remind her of who she was and help restore her trust in people. Having grown up around rescue dogs and wildlife, Zoë found something unique at her local rescue shelter. 

“[Visiting the shelter] was immediately a really fun and rewarding part of my week,” Zoë reflected. 

The community at that shelter helped Zoë believe in people again. She rediscovered the part of herself that hoped to bring people together to affect change. Zoë made a commitment to one day give back to this organisation that gave so much to her. 

That insight became the seed of HPHH: a place where people could reconnect, learn and heal - while making a real difference for animals who needed them too. 

Image: Happy Paws Happy Hearts

Reframing social isolation as an opportunity 

Social isolation is often misunderstood. Zoë’s personal experiences gave her a unique insight into the issue and the spectrum of people it impacts, including people with disabilities, veterans, first responders, older Australians, and survivors of domestic violence. 

Zoë found that lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed the issue to come to light across the country. 

“We all experienced what happens when you are locked in, and how quickly you can lose your confidence to socially connect,” Zoë said. “Now more than ever I think people have a bit more of an understanding [of social isolation] because they've experienced it for themselves.”

Still, the wider perception of social isolation hasn’t caught up. Funding for the NDIS, aged care and veteran wellbeing is often framed as a burden - but Zoë saw this as an opportunity instead.

She hoped that HPHH’s programs will help more Australians stop seeing social isolation as a burden, and instead see the opportunity for life-changing connections.

How HPHH helped a young woman find her confidence

One story that stays with Zoë is Caitlin’s. After experiencing a stroke that went undetected, Caitlin was left with more significant injuries than anyone anticipated. She carried deep grief and the sudden feeling of being out of step with her peers.

“She came to us with a passion for animals,” Zoë said. “That passion, as well as her confidence and sense of purpose, grew a lot over her time. She then went on to support other young people in our program.”

Caitlin’s journey is especially meaningful to Zoë, who understands what it feels like to rebuild confidence from a young age.

“I think seeing a young woman transform meant a lot to me… I can relate to that and how important that particular transition meant. I would do it all again for Caitlin.”

Today, Caitlin is one of the many volunteers who make HPHH’s programs possible. In 2024-25, their volunteers provided 10,000+ hours of support, an in-kind contribution valued at more than $470,100 (Happy Paws Happy Hearts, 2025). It's a ripple effect of generosity that began with Zoë’s decision to give back. 

Image: Happy Paws Happy Hearts

Connection that goes both ways

HPHH gives participants the chance to meet animals exactly where they’re at. They work with all kinds of creatures - dogs, cats, pigs, roosters, reptiles. Zoë remembered walking into a meeting one morning to find a lamb under the table. She fondly described this as a part of her ‘delightfully random’ life leading HPHH. 

Amid the surprises are moments of quiet transformation. One RSPCA dog loves HPHH sessions so much that staff have to lure him back to his kennel with treats. 

In another session, a veteran sat quietly with an anxious dog on his lap. Neither of them had slept well the night before. When the trainer went back to check on them, both were peacefully asleep. 

“It’s magical to experience,” Zoë said. “Even if it was only for a moment, they both got what they needed.”

Shelter teams feel the impact too, noting that the steady presence of HPHH participants fills critical gaps, especially during unexpected animal intakes.

Through HPHH, socially isolated people and rescue animals create moments of trust and transformation that neither could find alone.

Image: Friendship Tree

Partnering with Friendship Tree 

Trust sits at the heart of HPHH - from people and animals learning to feel safe again, to the partners that support their work. It’s a shared value that shaped their first meeting with Friendship Tree.

“It wasn’t your typical introduction to an organisation,” Zoë said. “We sat around a table like a family… it gave me a really safe space to share the heart of Happy Paws Happy Hearts.”

That conversation centred on a simple idea: How could we do bigger things, together?

Partnerships are essential to HPHH’s growth. Support from partners like Friendship Tree enables HPHH to expand its programs, reach new communities, and remove barriers for participants. Donations directly support practical needs such as workwear and interview outfits for participants in the Explore Employment Pathways program, funded participant places, operational costs, and the establishment of new regional sites.

When asked what she’d say to other charities considering a partnership, Zoë didn’t hesitate: “If trust is what you’re looking for, [Friendship Tree] have shown us what it looks like in action.”

“For us, trust means doing what you say you’ll do,” she added. “And Friendship Tree has over delivered.”

Thank you Zoë, for trusting Friendship Tree to tell your story. Your courage and compassion drive the impact HPHH delivers every day.

Dive deeper into how HPHH is changing lives, and support them here.