We’re so grateful to have recently celebrated the conclusion of another wonderful Defence Families Program, made possible through our partnership with RSL Queensland.

Over eight weeks, six Defence families gathered each Saturday at Happy Paws Happy Hearts (HPHH) Wacol campus at RSPCA Brisbane Animal Care Campus to learn about animal behaviour, welfare and care, and support additional socialisation, enrichment, and training to help the animals put their best paw forward for adoption.

Every training activity, enrichment session and shelter task offered an opportunity for families to communicate, problem solve, encourage one another and create lasting memories—all while contributing to the lives of animals waiting for their new homes.

*One of the scavenger hunt question cards*

One activity that brought this learning to life was a behind-the-scenes scavenger hunt across the campus, providing families with a unique opportunity to explore the many corners of RSPCA Queensland’s largest campus, while putting their growing animal care knowledge into practice. Armed with riddles and clues such as, ‘what animal has rectangular pupils and almost 320-degree vision?’, the families explored different areas of the campus, working together to solve the challenges that introduced them to the diverse animals in care and the dedicated teams who support them every day.

Their adventure took them from the Wildlife Hospital, where they met wildlife undergoing rehabilitation, to the Farmyard, where they prepared fresh food for resident pigs before meeting goats (proud holder of the 320-degree vision). They discovered the joyful “popcorning” behaviour of guinea pigs (only to find the entire group had been adopted the previous day), before finishing at the Adoption Centre, where they put weeks of learning into practice by working alongside dogs awaiting new homes.

Using safe door work techniques, participants rewarded calm behaviours and practised mark-and-reward training, helping dogs learn that keeping four paws on the floor is a rewarding choice.

Through every clue, challenge and animal encounter, families were encouraged to think like animal carers, learning firsthand how enrichment, care and positive interactions contribute to animal welfare and wellbeing.

While the scavenger hunt was a fun and memorable experience, it is also a milestone moment reflecting families’ learning journeys together.

From understanding reward markers and shaping behaviours to recognising when an animal needs calm versus play, families built practical skills they could immediately apply alongside the shelter's rescue animals. At the same time, they strengthened something equally important, their own confidence, teamwork and connection with one another.

This unique blend of experiential learning and purposeful participation is what makes the Defence Families Program so special, and while the families have left with new animal care and training skills, the most meaningful outcomes have been connection.

Over eight weeks, families had the opportunity to reconnect by experiencing new things together and also build meaningful connections with others who understand the unique experiences of Defence life.

In this cohort, it was humbling to witness some of these connections extend well beyond the walls of HPHH through shared interests.

It's a beautiful reminder that while the program spans just eight weeks, the friendships, opportunities and sense of belonging it creates can continue long after the final session.

A big-hearted thank you to every family who joined us, as well as our wonderful partners at RSL Queensland for making this program possible for families to join free of charge. Finally, a heartfelt thank you to the incredible animal care teams at RSPCA Queensland, who so warmly welcomed our Defence families and generously shared their knowledge, passion and expertise. Their willingness to provide behind-the-scenes insights into the many animals they care for each day helped create a truly memorable experience for our families.

You can watch a wrap-up of this program through our video below.

If you're part of a Defence family or know one that would love to join a program where you can learn, laugh and create lasting memories together, we encourage you to visit our Defence Families webpage and submit an enquiry form.

Joining the waitlist is the best way to stay connected and be among the first to hear about upcoming Defence Families Program opportunities.