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How connecting with rescue animals helped veteran Eloise connect with her community.
Taking a walk with an energetic young pup might seem like an everyday event for a young woman, but what she’s doing is remarkable, both for her and for pup Daisy*.
They’re both enthusiastic participants in the Happy Paws Happy Hearts’ Defence Families Program. Eloise is an Australian Army veteran, and current reservist. Her four-legged companion is a rescue animal, currently living in a shelter as the RSPCA Queensland works to find her forever home.
Eloise’s role is to help train Daisy* and rescue animals like her, so they can be adopted as loving pets – something that can be challenging for rescue animals. Isolation can be devastating for people too, so the program is a win-win that has been warmly embraced by veterans like Eloise.
“Animals can provide that connection, that social support that humans sometimes can’t. Especially if you’re feeling isolated yourself. Animals never let you down.”
Eloise, Army veteran
Happy Paws, Happy Hearts’ Defence Families Program is a professionally run, structured program specifically designed for veterans, current serving Defence members and their families. Funded by RSL Queensland, there’s no cost to participants, who overwhelmingly find connecting with the animals and other people deeply rewarding. They’re also learning a new skill as the training is conducted by animal training specialists in partnership with the RSPCA Queensland.
Once a week for ten weeks, participants work with a wide range of animals – dogs, cats, goats, sheep, alpacas, even snakes (as long as everyone concerned is comfortable!).
Happy Paws Happy Hearts Partnerships Training Specialist Justin Palazzo-Orr says the program delivers some amazing results, especially because it can involve veterans’ partners and children so the whole family can benefit. The program is relaxed, engaging and inclusive.
“Everything we do is about connection and trust, whether that’s between a human and an animal or humans and humans.”
Justin, Training Specialist
One of the best aspects of the program is the way in which it benefits not only veterans directly but strengthens and expands the community around them.
When Eloise joined the program, she was eager to get to know some other Defence families, and now she counts some as friends, brought together by their experience and their passion for animals.
Not being a parent herself, being able to engage with the children of other veterans was rewarding and fun for Eloise. “The whole time I’ve felt I was becoming a part of a community. That’s really special.”
The experience has inspired Eloise to become a regular RSPCA Queensland volunteer.
“It’s something I look forward to, and without going to Happy Paws Happy Hearts’ Defence Families Program I wouldn’t have pursued something like this, so I’m incredibly grateful.”
Trainer Justin has seen first-hand the change in Eloise. “When she first joined the program, she was pretty shy and reserved, then she came out of her shell a little more every week and found her love for volunteering with animals, which is fantastic.
Although the program was created for veterans and their families, it’s about much more than Defence. “It’s a way for people to come together and focus on kittens and puppies and having a good time,” says Justin.
Those cuddles, walks and play sessions are not just fun for the animals, they are an important part of the socialisation that will help them transition from rescue animals to beloved family pets.
The synergy between the animals and people is remarkable, and other Happy Paws Happy Hearts’ Defence Families Programs have been run with older Australians, people with disabilities, first responders and people who have suffered injuries in the workplace.
It's all designed to address social isolation, something which many veterans like Eloise experience. “You’ve gone from a system where you’re surrounded by people all day, every day. You work with your team constantly so when you transition out of that, there’s something lacking.”
Trainer Justin notes that veterans are well suited to the program.
“They’re extremely service-oriented people who have a wonderful drive to get those animals to their new homes and those animals are just looking for someone to connect to, so it’s really beautiful to see that happen.”
Happy Paws Happy Hearts’ Defence Families Program is just one of many programs funded by RSL Queensland, supported by Dream Home Art Union and particularly VIP Club members.
Every month, veterans like Eloise are emailed about upcoming programs, all specifically tailored to the specific needs and interests of people who have served as well as their families.
Your support as a VIP Club member makes a real difference. Just ask Eloise – and Daisy*!
*Pup’s name changed for privacy reasons.
Are you buying tickets, without the VIP benefits?
From $5 a ticket, you could become a VIP Club member and receive these added benefits, with the flexibility to pause or cancel at any time.
