Austin’s journey towards independence

Austin with one happy tabby at Ten Lives

Since joining Happy Paws Happy Hearts (HPHH) at Ten Lives Cat Centre in 2023, Austin has become a familiar and much-loved face every Friday morning. 

Week after week, Austin has shown up with remarkable commitment, never missing a single session. For much of his time since joining, HPHH has been his only regular social opportunity each week to connect with others, with the obvious perk of special time alongside the cats he loves so much. 

A quiet and gentle participant with an impressive knowledge of animals, Austin has always brought curiosity and kindness to every session. Through the supportive partnership between HPHH and Ten Lives Cat Centre, he has steadily grown from supported participation to confident independence. 

Following a recentconversation with his Program Trainer, Austin set himself a new goal—to build his independence by attending HPHH sessions without his disability support worker remaining with him. 

Around the same time, Austin had also begun a part-time role and together these milestones marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter. 

From his very first session attending independently, Program Trainer Juliana shared that the difference was immediate. 

Austin became noticeably more engaged and confident. Rather than participating with gentle guidance from his Program Trainers, he began taking greater ownership of his role within the group and the responsibilities that came with it.  

Small acts of independence, such as collecting his own chair before heading into the adoption building, quickly became part of his routine. As his confidence continued to grow, so too did the opportunities for Austin to contribute, not only within HPHH sessions, but to the wider operations of Ten Lives Cat Centre. 

Today, Austin independently supports the welfare of the cats in care through meaningful shelter tasks. One of his favourite responsibilities is providing "dinner dates" for cats who may be too overwhelmed or dysregulated to eat alone, quietly sitting alongside them while they enjoy their meal. He has also taken pride in helping fold blankets and towels for the shelter, recognising that every contribution, no matter how small, helps support the shelter team, and most importantly, the care of the animals. 

Juliana reflected on Austin’s growth over time, “Austin's journey is a wonderful example of with the right support and with enough feline company, all participants can blossom at their own pace”.  

Austin's story is a beautiful reminder that independence is a journey, not a destination. It grows through the courage to keep showing up, the confidence gained from meaningful responsibility, and a community that encourages every person to flourish at their own pace.