After 30 years of teaching, Anne-Maree decided it was time to swap her whiteboard markers for treat pouches and joined Happy Paws Happy Hearts (HPHH) Toowoomba as a volunteer—finding a new way to give back to the community. Combining her lifelong love of animals with her teaching experience, she has been supporting participants to learn, grow, and connect with shelter animals since the very beginning.

For Anne-Maree, Wednesday mornings—her weekly volunteering shift—are her happy place. “We laugh, chat, learn and of course, get plenty of pup cuddles,” she says. Beyond her regular time in sessions, Anne-Maree continues to give back through her delight in creating little bowties and bandanas for dogs up for adoption—a small touch of love to help the animals make the best first impression with potential adopters.

Over the years, she has witnessed countless transformative moments: participants gaining confidence, forming new friendships, and learning skills that go beyond handling animals. Reflecting on her time at HPHH, she says, “If someone goes home having learnt something new, feeling a sense of purpose, or simply shared in laughs and had a good time, then I count that as a win. Every week brings something new: a surprising fact, a hilarious story, a tear-jerking moment, or a piece of wisdom that sticks with me.”

Outside of volunteering, Anne-Maree stays busy with her husband, kids, four grandchildren, and two toy poodles, Trini and Coco. She enjoys meeting with her local “poodle posse” for rally courses, affectionately called “doggy Olympics,” and is training to become a wildlife carer.

Volunteering with HPHH has given Anne-Maree a deep sense of purpose and community, as well as a renewed appreciation for the dedication behind shelter work. Five years on, she says, HPHH is much more than a volunteer role—it’s a place where she’s grown, laughed, and helped make countless days brighter, all while being covered in dog hair… and loving every minute of it. For her, the real magic has been witnessing heart-warming moments of personal connection and meeting incredible people.

We are so grateful for the energy, passion, commitment, and joy Anne-Maree brings to every session. She is a steadfast member of the HPHH Toowoomba family, and we are delighted to celebrate the difference she makes for hearts and paws each week.