When Gracie first walked through the doors of the Connections program in September 2025, she was excited by the thought of spending time with puppies. What she didn't expect was just how much the experience would shape her confidence, grow her skills, and spark a dream for her future.

Through the co-designed Happy Paws Happy Hearts (HPHH) and Assistance Dogs Australia (ADA) program, Gracie discovered that every session offered far more than time with the puppies. It was a place where learning came to life, where friendships formed naturally, and where every small achievement marked a paw-print towards something bigger.

Over the 12-week program, Gracie continued to show up with enthusiasm, curiosity and a willingness to learn. As she progressed through each learning module, she wasn't simply spending time with the puppies—she was building the foundations of animal care and training while playing an important role in preparing future assistance dogs for the next stage of their journey.

"My favourite parts of the sessions each week was hanging out with the puppies and teaching them how to do things," Gracie shared. "I liked learning new skills. It also helped me with learning how to train my puppy at home, Murphy."

Behind every hands-on activity was an opportunity to learn something new. Participants explored how dogs communicate and learn, discovered positive reward-based training techniques, practised safe handling and grooming, and then immediately put those skills into practice alongside the puppies. Rather than simply listening or observing, participants learnt by doing—building confidence, communication, responsibility and practical life skills through every interaction.

For Gracie's support worker, Lara, this depth of learning was one of the program's biggest surprises.

"I didn't anticipate just how much learning and skill development would be embedded into each session," Lara said. "I was also pleasantly surprised by the strong sense of community that develops throughout the term, and the connections participants build with one another by the end of the program."

For Gracie, what made those lessons so meaningful was knowing they had a purpose beyond the classroom. Every reward marker, every training exercise and every new skill was helping prepare a future assistance dog that would one day make a life-changing difference for someone else.

One of her proudest moments came from realising she was part of that journey.

"When I gave the dogs treats and knowing that they will be able to help other people," she said. "I am also proud of myself for making the time to be there each week and staying committed to the program."

That sense of purpose became something Gracie carried with her each week. As the puppies grew in confidence, so did she. Showing up, embracing new challenges and celebrating small wins became part of her own journey, reminding her just how capable she was.

For Lara, that shared experience is what makes the Connections program so unique.

"I think working with the animals is incredibly special because it allows individuals with all different communication styles and abilities to engage in a meaningful shared experience," she explained.

"Participants have the unique opportunity to watch the puppies grow over months, creating a genuine connection and sense of responsibility along the way. Knowing that the puppies are being raised to become assistance dogs also gives the program a larger purpose, which makes the experience even more rewarding and meaningful."

The experience left such a lasting impression that when the next Connections intake began in March 2026, Gracie couldn't wait to come back. Returning gave her the chance to continue building on the skills, confidence and sense of purpose she had already begun to develop.

Today, that journey has inspired her to dream even bigger.

"I've learnt that I want to work with animals as my job," Gracie said. "I am looking at courses that I can do to be able to work with dogs at the moment."

For Gracie, Connections has become much more than spending time with puppies. It has been a place where learning found purpose, where helping future assistance dogs helped shape her own future, and where every wagging tail reminded her that sometimes the biggest life changes begin with the smallest moments.