Happy Paws Happy Hearts | Friendship Tree
A man with a beard, identified as Trainer Justin, is kneeling on the floor next to a large black and white dog wearing a harness. He is holding the dog's leash and looking down at it. Another person is sitting on a chair in the background.

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A young man with a light beard and tinted glasses is holding a small, fluffy orange kitten in his arms. He is looking directly at the camera with a slight smile.

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A cropped, over-the-shoulder view of a person with blonde hair, wearing a blue t-shirt, who is gently hugging a large brown dog. The dog is looking away from the camera, and its yellow collar with a bee pattern is visible.

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Three young people kneel on a gravel ground, interacting with a small white and tan rescue dog wearing a large white cone around its head. A boy in a blue shirt smiles at the dog while another boy in a bucket hat gently pets it. A third boy in a green shirt kneels behind them, looking on.

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A person with dark hair is sitting on a chair on a blue floor, gently stroking a black and white speckled dog that is lying down in front of them. The dog is wearing a pink harness and is looking up at the person with a calm expression. Other people are visible, sitting in chairs in the background.

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A close-up shot of a small, fluffy orange and white kitten on a blue floor. The kitten looks at a colorful toy hanging from a string. In the background, a person's hand with tattoos on their arm is visible, reaching affectionately towards the kitten.

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A young woman with glasses, seated in a wheelchair, is in a room with a woman identified as Trainer Louise. The young woman is looking down, holding her hand out to a small brindle-colored puppy on the floor. The trainer stands next to her, also watching the interaction.

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A young blonde woman in a blue shirt and black leggings is outdoors, training a large black and white speckled dog. She is holding a treat in her hand, and the dog is sitting attentively, looking up at her. They are in a grassy, fenced area in front of a building.

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A woman with short dark hair is squatting on the floor, petting a tabby cat on a cat tree. She is talking to a man and a woman who are sitting on the floor in front of her. The woman has a nametag that says 'Rebecca'.

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Outdoors on a grassy field, a man identified as Trainer Justin, and a young man with curly hair, identified as Alex, are with a large black and white speckled dog. Justin is kneeling and petting the dog's head, while Alex, holding a walking stick and the dog's leash, is smiling down at the dog.

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A young woman with blonde hair, identified as Zoe, kneels on a grassy area outdoors. She is wearing a black t-shirt with a logo and bright pink pants. She is smiling down at a large white and brown rescue dog and is gently petting it under the chin. The dog is looking up with a happy, panting expression.

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Happy Paws Happy Hearts

Happy Paws Happy Hearts

  • Health
  • Education
  • Youth
  • Animal Welfare

Creating positive changes for people and rescue animals

Happy Paws Happy Hearts (HPHH) is a national charity and social enterprise transforming lives by connecting vulnerable people with rescue animals through purpose-driven programs.

Supporting people with disabilities, veterans, older Australians, and youth-at-risk, HPHH helps participants move from social isolation to connection, confidence, and wellbeing.

Each week, 500 people take part across nine locations, including 270 at the Brisbane Headquarters. Hosted in animal shelters like RSPCA Queensland, programs provide hands-on learning where people and animals heal together.

Participants gain skills, friendships, and renewed purpose, with many moving on to volunteering, education, and employment while improving their mental health and wellbeing.

$
Our Impact
500+
Participants in programs each week
275,774
Hours of social connection for disadvantaged Australians
67,228
Hours of training and support for rescue animals
9
Locations across Australia
Social Connection
HPHH creates structured, supportive group programs that provide positive connections for socially isolated Australians and rescue animals in need.
Address complex and pressing social issues
Widespread social isolation and the high number of rescue animals awaiting adoption across Australia
Outcomes for the Hearts
Increased wellbeing, renewed sense of purpose, broader social networks, increased work readiness
Outcomes for the Paws
Socialisation and training, and increased readiness for a new home
Recent achievements
A young woman with glasses, seated in a wheelchair, is in a room with a woman identified as Trainer Louise. The young woman is looking down, holding her hand out to a small brindle-colored puppy on the floor. The trainer stands next to her, also watching the interaction.

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From isolation to empowerment: Maddie’s transformation with Happy Paws Happy Hearts

Maddie always knew she wanted to help animals, but she never expected that in doing so, she would discover a deep sense of purpose, confidence, and belonging. Looking for a way to overcome social isolation, Maddie joined Happy Paws Happy Hearts (HPHH). Since joining the program in 2023, each visit has brought her a feeling of accomplishment - whether it is helping a dog overcome its fears, gaining new skills, or connecting with others in meaningful ways. Maddie’s support worker, Maisie, has witnessed firsthand the profound impact of HPHH on Maddie’s life. "There aren’t many opportunities for those with mobility restrictions to engage in programs that involve animals. HPHH breaks down this barrier by offering a program where individuals, regardless of their mobility or support needs, can get involved in meaningful animal interactions. This inclusivity helps participants like Maddie, a wheelchair user from childhood, feel more engaged and capable, while also fostering a sense of belonging and independence." Maisie reflects on Maddie's milestones since being with HPHH, "One moment that stands out is her decision to move out of her family home and independently into her own place. With the confidence she gained through HPHH, Maddie was not only able to embrace this significant step but also adopt her own rescue animal, a cat which she now cares for with great responsibility, love and care, thanks to the skills she gained throughout the programs."  Maisie highlights the role that animals play in easing social interactions. "The animals provide a safe, non-judgmental source of companionship. Animals are often seen as more approachable than people, which can help individuals who struggle with human interactions. At HPHH, the act of building trust and understanding with an animal can parallel the process of building trust in social relationships, giving participants the confidence to extend that trust to others." Having supported Maddie for several years, Maisie has also seen the transformation in Maddie’s mental health. “I’ve noticed a significant improvement in both her social skills and emotional well-being. The unconditional love and support from an animal can help Maddie feel valued and understood, without the pressure of social expectations.” For someone who once found it difficult to speak to new people, Maddie has stepped far outside her comfort zone, having featured in two news features in 2025. Maddie courageously shared her story in the May edition of New Idea magazine, and in a 10 News First televised interview, sharing how her confidence has grown and what she loves most about coming to HPHH. She also features on the HPHH Hero video filmed in 2024. Each week, more than 500 participants like Maddie engage in HPHH’s programs, from in-shelter experiences to the Explore Employment Pathways Program, designed to build job readiness skills and vocational pathways. As HPHH looks to the future, HPHH aims to support 10,000 participants annually by 2032, creating even more opportunities for connection, healing, and transformation.

A portrait of two young people, Reubyn and Gruffyn, standing indoors and each holding a small ginger kitten. Both people are wearing dark t-shirts and smiling faintly at the camera. They are in a room that appears to be a cat shelter, with cages and enclosures visible in the background.

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Reubyn & Gruffyn Explore Employment Pathways Program

Brothers Reubyn and Gruffyn have experienced remarkable transformation through Happy Paws Happy Hearts’ (HPHH) ‘Explore’ Employment Pathways Program. They both joined HPHH with a shared love for animals and a desire to build independence. Both brothers were diagnosed with autism and sought a supportive, hands-on environment to develop essential life and vocational skills. Reubyn first joined HPHH programs at age 12 to help improve his social skills. “I was nervous starting, but now I am completely fine with meeting new people”, he reflected. At 15, Reubyn was invited to join the Explore program to help him build workplace and vocational readiness. Through the structured 24-week program which includes goal setting, skills in workplace communication, dressing for success and mock interviews, Reubyn gained the confidence to undertake a work placement at RSPCA’s Black Cat Café, where he thrived as part of the team and discovered his love for hospitality. Now, Reubyn continues to work casually in the industry, even taking on a role to help train others, and credits the Explore program for helping him not only find his first job and adjust to workplace environments, but to be confident with his future endeavours. “The thing that I am most proud of is how much my confidence has grown”, Reubyn said. HPHH also equipped Reubyn with valuable social skills. "Learning how to build relationships with animals helped me understand how to interact with people, especially when it comes to reading body language cues", he shares. These lessons in trust and communication have helped him navigate friendships and professional relationships alike. Following his brother’s footsteps, Gruffyn also joined HPHH and soon after, Explore, to also prepare for future job opportunities. With the same structure, guidance, skill development and work experience, he too developed interview confidence, social skills, and eventually secured employment alongside his brother. “The program helped me develop the skills and confidence I needed in order to achieve employment independently”, said Gruffyn. Their mother, Sarah, reflected on the positive changes she has witnessed in her sons. “The programs have definitely given my children the skills to become responsible, autonomous young adults, in an environment that they felt comfortable, and with people who really saw them for who they are”, she said. The brother’s newfound independence has allowed Sarah to embrace her role as a mother in a new way. “It gave me the freedom and confidence to just be ‘mum’, instead of advocate, allowing them to be more independent and advocate for themselves. Watching them mature and take pride in their work has been incredible." Sarah encourages other parents to consider HPHH for their children. "HPHH provides a trusted environment tailored to each child’s goals. It gave our family new conversations, new perspectives, and, most importantly, the skills my boys needed to become contributing members of society."

A man with bright purple hair and sunglasses, identified as David, stands next to a banner for "Happy Paws Happy Hearts." He is wearing a blue polo shirt and is holding a small black dog that has a blue baseball cap on its head. The man is smiling at the camera.

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From Isolation to Purpose: How David Reclaimed His Confidence Through Connection and Canines

Every year, 1 in 3 Australians feels the heavy weight of loneliness and social isolation — a silent struggle that touches thousands of veterans like David, who are learning to navigate life after service without the structure, purpose, and camaraderie they once knew. After 35 years of service in the Royal Australian Air Force, David faced a profound and challenging transition out of military life. Suddenly stripped of structure, connection and purpose, he found himself withdrawing completely. “Having spent over three decades in the Defence Force, I was faced with a whole new world out there that I don’t really know about. I basically shut down. I couldn’t leave the house.” That’s when David was introduced to Happy Paws Happy Hearts’ Intensive in-Shelter Program designed for current and ex-serving Defence Force Members. At first, simply starting was a challenge. “It is hard to face new things, new people and work up the confidence to face that discomfort, but I continued, and haven’t looked back since.” Over time—through regular sessions working with rescue animals and connecting with other participants who understood—David began to rebuild. His time with HPHH reintroduced routine and accountability. “The time in the program helped me settle mentally and gave me a direction. Through completing the weekly tasks and activities with the animals, I started to focus better and that helped me through the rest of my transition”. David also found a renewed sense of purpose and something to look forward to each week. “It got me out of my own headspace and out of my shell. If I didn’t show up, maybe a dog wouldn’t get a pat, and that gave me a reason to get out of bed, and purpose for something other than myself.” But it wasn’t just about the animals. As his confidence grew, so did his connections, with other veterans and participants navigating their own journeys. “We have all built friendships and a sense of safety with one another, we’re all here for the same reason and this has extended well past the conclusion of Happy Paws Happy Hearts’ program”. “You grow together and bond. It’s a chance to find life again after the distance and deployments.” David bravely shares that while he still struggles with anxiety, the HPHH program has been an important stepping-stone in his journey of healing. “This has given me the confidence I need to get back to daily routines, and to get my foot in that door to experience something different”, David concluded.

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