Stepping Into Courage

Kathy with Rooster, SpongeBob

Kathy has been attending Happy Paws Happy Hearts (HPHH) at Wacol for several years, starting in our Care program designed for participants with higher support needs. Over time, her confidence and skills have grown steadily, and this month she reached an incredible milestone: moving into our Train group, which is a more hands-on style of program. 

Kathy was both excited and nervous about her move to Train. For many participants, the friendships and bonds they form within their groups become a source of deep comfort and belonging. That’s why stepping into a new group is such a courageous act—it means leaving behind the familiar to take on new challenges and opportunities. 

What stood out most was the warmth of her new group, who welcomed her with open hearts and made sure she felt supported. 

On her very first day in Train, the new move wasn’t her only courageous act. In this program, participants work with a wide variety of rescue animals far beyond dogs, cats, and small pets, sometimes including reptiles and farmyard animals. Having previously expressed a fear of birds, Kathy had never felt comfortable near the poultry pen. But with the encouragement of her group, she bravely stepped in and held SpongeBob, one of the shelter’s beautiful roosters. Drawing on her patience, the skills she’s built at HPHH, and the support around her, Kathy transformed what was once a source of fear into a moment she can look back on with pride.