This month the Complete Parts and @ The Coalface $500 Community Gift goes to Happy Paws Happy Hearts (HPHH), an organisation dedicated to creating positive connections between socially isolated Australians and rescue animals.
According to Felicity Hibbins, Head of Partnerships and Engagement, the organisation’s mission is to provide vulnerable individuals with a pathway from social isolation to inclusion and wellbeing, while enriching the lives of animals in need.
By helping rescue animals, participants gain confidence, broaden their social networks, improve their quality of life, and find new pathways into volunteering, education and employment.
Founded in Queensland in 2014, HPHH now operates in eight locations across Australia, including Mackay.
The organisation tackles two complex social challenges: 1.2 million Australians experiencing social isolation or deep social exclusion and more than 87,000 animals waiting for adoption in RSPCA shelters alone, across Australia each year.
In Mackay, HPHH collaborates closely with the RSPCA Mackay Animal Care Centre to provide training programs working with rescue animals that offer connection, skills development, and vocational training for people with disabilities, youth at risk and veterans and first responders processing trauma.
HPHH offers seven structured programs that gradually increase in complexity, providing participants with opportunities to develop confidence, social skills, and independence. The programs cater to all abilities, including highly tactile sessions and hands-on experience working in a shelter.
The capstone program is the ‘Explore’ Employment Pathways Program, which supports young people needing a helping paw as they take the huge leap into employment, volunteering, or further study. These small group programs are designed to build resilience and foster growth through hands-on interactions with rescue animals.
Through its programs, HPHH hopes to empower more people to find purpose and contribute meaningfully, whether through volunteering, employment, or further study.
HPHH is continually seeking ways to strengthen its impact and extend its reach. Like many not-for-profit organisations, it operates through a mix of fee-for-service programs, donations, grants and sponsorships.
The organisation relies on community support and donations to help fund programs and provide life-changing experiences for vulnerable people and rescue animals. Every donation and act of support makes a meaningful difference in transforming lives, both human and animal.
In 2025, HPHH is celebrating its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of empowering socially isolated Australians and enriching the lives of thousands of rescue animals. During its milestone celebrations, the goal is to raise $10,000 to help connect socially isolated Australians through its programs.
For those looking to get involved beyond donations, there are numerous ways to support HPHH’s work. Volunteers are the ‘welcoming hearts’ of Happy Paws Happy Hearts, playing a crucial role in creating a space for meaningful connections between people and rescue animals.
Volunteer opportunities are available to assist with group sessions and help participants and animals feel included and safe. Individuals can also contribute by becoming guest speakers for programs or supporting the organisation by following HPHH on social media and sharing posts to increase awareness.
| To learn more about how you can get involved please visit the HPHH website at https://www.hphhfoundation.org/ |
