One Thursday, participants arrived at their session at Dogs' Homes of Tasmania in Hobart ready to spend the day with the dogs, unaware they were about to take on a new role.

Two local service providers, Rob and Kim, were coming for an on-site visit to see the program in action, and the group was asked if they'd like to help lead it. They didn't hesitate and were excited by the chance to share how they contribute to the dogs' wellbeing, care and adoptability each week.

After a short welcome in the HPHH training room on-site, everyone headed up to Adoptions. Program Trainer Wendy began by explaining what a typical session looks like. She soon stepped back, and the participants took over, adding detail, answering questions and walking the visitors through their weekly work.

Along the Adoptions yards, the group carried on with their usual at-wire work, explaining it as they went. At-wire is a practical exercise woven into many of their sessions. It gives participants and dogs the chance to connect safely and positively through the kennel wire. The participants demonstrated how they mark moments of positive behaviour with a cue and a treat. Wendy explained what participants gain from it: a lesson in patience, and in giving shelter animals the time and space to build trust. In return, even 10 minutes can create a remarkable shift; a shy or nervous dog begins to engage, connect and show confidence, and all of this supports their adoptability.

The participants explained how they adjust their approach for each dog, taking it more gently with shy or timid dogs. They described the adoptable behaviours they mark and reward, like keeping four paws on the floor rather than jumping at the wire with excitement. They also talked about the stress dogs can feel in a shelter. Some of the behaviours visitors notice are coping mechanisms, not a dog's true nature. This is knowledge they've built from spending time with dogs, week after week.

In one yard was Albert, a four-month-old Kelpie X pup who had been in care for about three weeks. The group showed the visitors how they redirect his puppy mouthing onto toys using positive reinforcement. They also showed how they've been reinforcing his sit cue as they help him learn the basics.

In the next yard, participants Jason and Layla sat down with the visitors and two longer-stay dogs, Michael and Hazel. While Wendy checked in with the rest of the group, the pair spent about 30 minutes with the visitors on their own. They chatted, answered questions about the program and shared the training and enrichment they'd been doing with each dog.

Hazel is a two-year-old Koolie X who had been in care for about three months. When the group first met her, she was fearful and hesitant, and kept her distance from everyone. Jason chose to spend several sessions working one-on-one with her. He used slow, patient and positive socialisation training to build her trust in him and in other people. When the visitors heard how far she'd come, and witnessing a confident dog in front of them, Jason and his peers stayed humble about their part in her growing confidence. To them, it was simply what Hazel needed.

Wendy watched on with pride:

"Sitting in the yard and comfortably answering questions and chatting casually with people they had just met is something I wouldn't have imagined happening six months ago! What stood out even more was how long Jason and Layla chose to spend with our visitors on their own, answering questions without my support.

"I was incredibly proud of how willing they were to contribute to this tour, even with only 30 minutes' notice! I am consistently proud of how much the group takes on information and applies it to their work with all the dogs each week. They are incredibly tuned in to the dogs' needs and always put those needs first. How naturally they shared information about the program, the dogs and their own interests and goals was incredible to watch."

The group's independence and roles at the shelter keep growing. Two participants from this group are now foster carers for Dogs' Homes of Tasmania, and others are working towards becoming independent volunteers.

The dogs they introduced that day have moved on too. Two weeks ago, Hazel went home with her new family. This is the dog who once timidly kept her distance from everyone and everything. More recently, Albert followed, sit cue and all. Next week there'll be new dogs in the yards, and a group ready to help them find their confidence, just as they've found their own.