Welcome to the pack!
It's official, welcome to Connections!
Your first session is just around the corner, and a group of new friends (and some very excited assistance pups) can't wait to meet you. Feeling a few nerves is completely normal. This page has everything you need to walk in feeling ready.
Before you arrive
Your day-one checklist
Working with puppies means dressing for fur, play and the occasional muddy paw. Tick things off as you pack:
Comfortable closed-in shoes
A shirt with sleeves, and pants or a skirt that offer some protection
Sunscreen and a hat
A water bottle
Healthy snacks for your break
Any support or medical items you might need
Your support person, if you're bringing one (they need to be 18 or over)
Your first day
What to expect
Your welcome email includes directions, parking and a map for your Connections location. Keep it handy for the day.
Arrive early
Follow the directions in your welcome email for your Connections location and meeting point. Allow some extra time for parking and to find your way to us.
Meet your Trainer
A friendly face will greet you and introduce you to your group.
Meet some pups!
You'll start gently, getting to know the puppies and learning how to care for them at your own pace.
Waterfall
Assistance Dogs Australia
1780 Princes Hwy, Waterfall NSW 2233
Orchard Hills
Assistance Dogs Australia
8 Austin Place, Orchard Hills NSW 2748
Good to know
The practical bits
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Please let us know as early as you can by calling 1300 077 984 or emailing hello@hphhfoundation.org. You can still join the weekly virtual session through the HPHH app, so you won't miss out.
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Invoices are emailed weekly to your nominated billing contact and cover both in-person and online attendance across your 12-week program. Invoicing continues if you're absent from an in-person session. Your service agreement has the full details.
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Programs are ongoing unless you've enrolled in one of our short-term programs with a set start and finish date, or you have agreed an enrolment period with us. If you'd like to finish, we ask for 2 weeks' written notice. If less notice is given, a fee for 2 weeks applies. See Item 14.1 of your service agreement for details.
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We always want to hear from you, whether it's a question, a great moment or something that isn't working. Talk to your Trainer, contact our team, or share feedback through My opinion counts.
Supporting you to make your own informed decisions
You belong here
Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and heard. At Connections, we're committed to:
- Protecting you from abuse and upholding your human rights
- Respecting your dignity, privacy and confidentiality
- Creating a 'Welcoming Hearts' culture where everyone is included
- Acting with honesty, integrity and fairness
- Respecting everyone, whatever their race, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation or disability
Policies & Procedures
Everything in one place
Here are our policies and help guides if you ever need them.
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HPHH is committed to:
Ensuring that participants are protected from abuse and their human rights upheld
Supporting participants to make informed decisions
Ensuring the right to dignity, privacy and confidentiality
Fostering a culture of inclusion
Acting with honesty, integrity and fairness
Respecting the rights of individuals regardless of their race, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation or disability
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Stay connected between sessions
Your HPHH app
Your enrolment includes access to the HPHH app at no extra cost, so you can keep learning and stay part of the community, wherever you are.
Watch videos about your favourite animal topics, any time
Join the weekly livestream and meet participants from other locations
Get a feel for sessions before you arrive, if you're feeling nervous
Look out for a separate email with your login details, and check your spam or junk folder just in case.
Weekly livestream
All enrolled participants can join our Livestream session every Thursday, 1:00pm–2:00pm (Brisbane time).
To access the App, you will need to log into the Circle App, HPHH’s online space to keep learning and stay connected between your in-shelter sessions!
Open the app, go to Livestream and select This Week's Livestream. You don't need a Zoom account.
Contact us
We're here for you
Starting something new can feel like a big step, and we understand this process might be unfamiliar. If you have any questions at all, please reach out. Our Participant Experience team is always happy to help.