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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

Happy Paws Happy Hearts Foundation

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Australia
Brisbane, QLD
Happy Paws Happy Hearts Foundation

A little bit about us...

Happy Paws Happy Hearts creates positive change for people and rescue animals.

Happy Paws Happy Hearts connects socially isolated Australians with animals through inclusive programs, that build confidence, skills and independence at rescue centres and animal training organisations across the country. Spending time with animals delivers important benefits physically, socially and psychologically. We harness these benefits to deliver engaging animal handling courses which are

safe, fun, and outcomes-based. The people we work with learn about themselves, achieve personal goals, practice valuable skills for employment, see significant changes and contribute to our community in a meaningful way.

12/06/2026

Meet Gus, a 25-year-old Veteran who has been attending Happy Paws Happy Hearts at Wacol for over a year.

After his time in Defence, Gus was searching for a renewed sense of purpose. Through working alongside rescue animals each week, he found routine, connection and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of not just animals waiting for their second chance, but for others too.

Hear Gus share what coming to Happy Paws Happy Hearts each week means to him. 🐾

If you're a current or ex-serving Defence member and can relate to Gus's story, our Intensive Train Program may be the opportunity you've been looking for.

Designed for Veterans and first responders, this hands-on program combines animal training, handling and care with the opportunity to build routine, confidence and purpose in a working animal shelter environment.

Each week, participants help rescue animals put their best paw forward for adoption while developing practical skills in animal care and training that may support future volunteering, study or employment pathways.

📍 Ipswich/Brisbane region (Wacol)
📍 Moreton Bay region (Dakabin)
📍 Darwin, NT
📍 Cessnock, Hunter Valley, NSW

Program vacancies are currently available. Enquire today to learn more
https://www.hphhfoundation.org/intensive-shelter-program

10/06/2026

We’ve been delighted to welcome several community organisations to our Darwin programs at RSPCA Northern Territory, including .alliance.nt, , , Larrakeyah Neighbourhood House, and the NT Mental Health Coalition, who joined us for a second visit!

These visits are always so special, providing an opportunity for values-aligned organisations to learn more about the partnership between RSPCA NT and Happy Paws Happy Hearts, while experiencing firsthand the important role participants play in supporting the wellbeing of animals in care.

From spending quiet time at-wire with dogs to learning about animal behaviour and practising simple training activities, visitors were able to see just how meaningful these interactions can be for shelter animals waiting for their forever homes.

We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to connect with organisations doing such important work across our local community, sharing stories, learning from one another, and celebrating the many ways we collectively support the wellbeing of people.

Many of our visitors shared that they left with a deeper appreciation for the contribution HPHH participants make each week through animal enrichment, socialisation, training and connection. Just as special was hearing how rewarding it felt to know they had made a small difference to an animal's day.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to visit. We look forward to continuing to connect, collaborate and support positive outcomes for people across our community 🐾💕

04/06/2026

🐾 FINAL WEEK TO ENROL 🐾

Are you in the Sutherland / Northern Illawarra Shires and thinking about whether the Connections Program could be right for your child or participant?

Hear directly from Assistance Dogs Australia CEO, Tim Taylor, along with recent participants as they share their experiences in the Connections Program and the impact it has had on their confidence, independence and social connection.

Delivered by Happy Paws Happy Hearts Foundation and Assistance Dogs Australia, this unique 12-week program gives participants aged 12+ the opportunity to work hands-on with assistance puppies in training while building practical skills in communication, teamwork, responsibility and animal care.

Whether participants are looking to build confidence, meet new people, learn responsible pet ownership skills, or simply enjoy a more hands-on learning environment, Connections offers a supportive, inclusive and meaningful opportunity for people of all abilities to grow.

📅 Programs commence NEXT WEEK 10 June & 11 June (or you can enquire for future programs
📍 ADA Puppy Kindergarten, Waterfall
💳 Accessible through NDIS, SLES, other support schemes or self-funded pathways

If you support participants, know families who may benefit, or would simply like to learn more, we'd love to hear from you.

👉 Learn more and enquire:
https://www.hphhfoundation.org/hphh-updates-and-notices/assistancedogs

Please note: This program does not pair participants with personal Assistance Dogs.

03/06/2026

🐾 What a fantastic day at the Mackay Disability Expo yesterday!

We loved connecting with so many amazing community members and sharing the good word about our Happy Paws Happy Hearts programs in the Mackay region.

Throughout the day, we had so many meaningful conversations with participants, families and like-minded organisations, all united by a shared passion for supporting the wellbeing, confidence and inclusion of people of all abilities within our community.

A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by for a chat, and a special thank you to Mackay Regional Council and Community Programs Team for hosting such a wonderful event.

If you met us at the Expo, or if you missed us, and would like to learn more about our programs held at RSPCA Mackay, we'd love to hear from you! Get in touch with our friendly team on 1300 077 984 or email [email protected].

And finally, a big shout out to our incredible Program Trainer, Terri, and Regional Queensland Team Lead, Jess, for representing our Mackay team so beautifully throughout the day 🐾💕

https://www.facebook.com/share/1HNUrswDDy/

30/05/2026

🐾 A heartfelt (and paw-felt) thank you to Schiavello for hosting such a special Design for a Difference event last week 💕

We were so grateful to be invited to be a part of such a wonderful community event celebrating creativity, connection and giving back. We were also accompanied by a very special guest, Margot the Chocolate Labrador, who had a paws-ome time helping judge all of the incredible artwork on display!

For this event, a number of creatives from the design community came together for a fun evening of painting their own creative interpretations of Schiavello products, with added inspiration from Happy Paws Happy Hearts, all while generously raising funds to support our programs.

Community partnerships and events like these are incredibly special to us. They create meaningful opportunities to bring people together, spark conversations, and share the positive impact that can unfold when hearts and paws connect.

We are also so incredibly grateful to Schiavello for the generous donation received, which will help us continue connecting more socially isolated Australians with animals in need through our purpose-led programs.

Congratulations to all teams and designers, and special congratulations to Margot’s Choice winner, Studio Spillane, whose creative interpretation featured Schiavello’s Kayt Quiet, Toro Stool, Toro Chair, Hedge, and 101 Chair—beautifully brought to life with artwork of Margot.

From the bottom of our hearts and paws, thank you for your support, kindness and for helping leave a lasting pawprint for both people and animals 🐾💕

29/05/2026

A huge thank you to WIN News Toowoomba for recently visiting Happy Paws Happy Hearts Foundation's special Intergenerational Program at RSPCA Toowoomba and helping share the magic of this beautiful initiative in action.

Over four sessions, this program is bringing together residents from Bupa Glenvale and Happy Paws Happy Hearts’ (HPHH) Toowoomba participants to create meaningful opportunities for connection across generations, all alongside rescue animals waiting for adoption.

We were so proud to see one of HPHH’s incredible participants, Rhiannon, courageously share her experiences in the program on camera. It was equally special to hear from John at Bupa Glenvale about what participating in the program has meant to him.

The story also highlighted the passion and care behind the program, with amazing HPHH Program Trainer, Emily, sharing why bringing this initiative to Toowoomba has been so meaningful for both participants and residents in building social connection, all with the gentle support of rescue animals. RSPCA Toowoomba Team Leader, Jerra, also shared the important role these sessions play in supporting the wellbeing and adoptability of animals in care.

And of course, we can’t forget special guest Trixie 🐶, a long-term dog in care who perfectly represented the impact these sessions can have for animals waiting in shelter. Through programs like this, participants help provide enrichment, socialisation, training and valuable time out of kennels, all supporting animals like Trixie to build confidence and put their best paw forward for adoption.

A heartfelt (and paw-felt) thank you to everyone involved

27/05/2026

🐾 We’re heading to the Mackay Disability Expo!

We’re so excited to be attending the upcoming Mackay Disability Expo hosted by Mackay Regional Council next Tuesday 2 June!

If you’re local and heading along to the event, be sure to stop by and say hello, we’d love to meet you and share more about our programs delivered alongside our wonderful location partner, RSPCA Mackay, where participants build confidence, skills and meaningful connections all while supporting rescue animals on their journey to adoption.

26/05/2026

We’re looking for new participants to join our upcoming Connections Program where they’ll learn how to train assistance puppies, build new friendships and develop greater independence, communication skills and importantly, self-belief.

Through our Connections Programs, participants strengthen practical life skills, build meaningful social connection and discover new confidence in a supportive, purpose-led environment, all while helping assistance puppies develop the foundations they need for their future roles supporting vulnerable Australians as Assistance Dogs. 🐶✨

One carer shared that the smile of their participant on graduation day said it all—a confidence that has extended far beyond the program itself.

Delivered by Happy Paws Happy Hearts Foundation and Assistance Dogs Australia, Connections supports people aged 12+ living with disability, mental health challenges or other vulnerabilities through hands-on learning with assistance puppies in training.

📍 Waterfall, Southern Sydney
📅 Starts 10 & 11 June
🐾 Limited spaces available

If you or someone you support in the Sutherland Shire is looking to build confidence, practical skills and connection in a supportive environment, this could be the paw-fect next step. 💞

👉 Learn more and submit your interest via the link in our Bio!

25/05/2026

We’re officially halfway through our Defence Families Program at RSPCA QLD’s Brisbane Animal Care Campus!

It’s been such a joy welcoming six incredible families each Saturday as they build animal care and training skills, connect with rescue animals, and spend quality time learning and growing together.

A huge thank you to RSL Queensland for supporting this program at no cost for veteran families, and to the amazing teams at RSPCA Queensland for warmly welcoming participants into the shelter each week.

We are excited to see the families’ growth journey continue as they deepen their learning and experiences over the coming weeks!

Address

Brisbane, QLD

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+611300077984

Website

http://www.hphhfoundation.org/

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