*Connor pictured with HPHH Program Trainer, and Connor’s Case Manager, Sarah. Connor is holding his artwork published in the 2024 Brisbane Illustrator Fair’s Art Zine publication*

Since joining Happy Paws Happy Hearts (HPHH) in 2021, Connor has not only developed skills working with hundreds of animals across the span of his program tenure, but also built lasting friendships, grown confidence, and started pursuing his passions—all while stepping steadily toward independence.

Before Connor joined HPHH, life felt paused for him.

He describes 2021 as one of the hardest years he’d experienced, a time where he wasn’t working, wasn’t driving, and felt as though nothing was moving forward. Each day felt like a standstill.

“I felt like I had nothing going my way”, he recalled.

Like many participants, Connor arrived to his first day at HPHH Wacol unsure of what to expect, knowing that stepping into a new environment would come with nerves.

And it did. He recalled walking into his first day, into a room full of new people, as daunting, and wasn’t sure how he would fit in. However, for Connor, connection came quickly. After an hour or two, Connor’s natural confidence shone through, and he formed a friendship that helped him feel safe and welcome; a friendship which lasted years.

*Connor’s last day with his HPHH session*

That early sense of belonging became a foundation for Connor to keep showing up and begin to build confidence in new ways

As sessions continued, he began meeting more participants, support workers and trainers. His confidence in social settings grew and while some friendships changed as groups evolved, his ability to form new connections strengthened.

He describes one of the things he is most proud of across his entire journey simply as:

“The friends I made along the way.”

Across Connor’s time at Happy Paws Happy Hearts, he progressed through multiple programs including Intro to Handle, Handle and HPHH’s Employment Pathways Program ‘Explore’.

Through the hands-on nature of the programs, Connor developed a range of animal care and training skills, including safely handling and harnessing dogs, understanding animal behaviour, using clicker training techniques, and confidently entering kennels calmly and swiftly.

Over more than four years, Connor is likely to have helped hundreds of animals—from dogs and cats to guinea pigs and rats—supporting many on their journey toward rehoming.

“That’s a pretty awesome thing to think about,” Connor reflected.

As his skills and confidence grew, learning soon turned into opportunity. With encouragement from his support team, Connor went on to launch his own pet-sitting business—a milestone he may not have imagined possible when he first joined HPHH.

Connor attributes this achievement to the confidence he built around animals, his understanding of their behaviour, and the communication skills developed through the support of Happy Paws Happy Hearts and his Program Trainers.

Today, Connor enjoys being a reliable pet sitter for a number of clients which he supports intermittently around his other employment commitments including working part-time at his local Golf Club, and excitedly, pursuing his professional career as an artist.

Creativity has always been at the heart of who Connor is and for a long time, his dream was to become a recognised artist with his incredible illustrations and sketches.

Through his time at HPHH, he achieved not one, but two goals which turned his dreams into reality.

In 2024, one of Connor’s illustrated, hand-drawn comic strips featured in Brisbane Illustrator Fair’s Art Zine publication. Then, in 2025, Connor was invited to attend the Brisbane Illustrator Fair as a stall holder where he proudly displayed his drawings and connected with other artists, many of whom recognised the inspiration drawn from Walt Disney in his work.

“It felt like music to my ears,” he said, smiling. “It was such an incredible feeling to receive such lovely feedback from other artists who also had incredible work, and it made me feel more at home.”

Each experience in Connor’s journey has added another piece to his growing sense of purpose.

When reflecting on his overall journey, it’s not only the milestones that stand out, but the moments in between. Connor’s favourite memories were all centred around:

Moments of laughter with friends.

Moments of teamwork.

Moments of stepping up to do things outside of his comfort zones.

While bittersweet, Connor is confidently exiting the doors of Happy Paws Happy Hearts to continue his path to independence, and we couldn’t be prouder!

Today, he is leaving Happy Paws Happy Hearts with:

Ongoing paid employment
Moving out independently
Working towards his Driver’s License
A growing pet-sitting business
Market participation secured for his artist business
Expanding creative opportunities
Strong friendships and community connections

Most importantly, he is stepping into greater independence and self-belief, managing his time, his money, his work and his future.

For us at HPHH, it’s not an ending, but a beginning.

Connor’s story is one of steady progress. From feeling stuck in 2021 to stepping confidently into independence and purpose in 2026, his journey reflects exactly what Happy Paws Happy Hearts exists to create: Confidence. Connection. Purpose. Pathways.

We are so proud of Connor and are incredibly grateful for the energy he brought to sessions and the confidence to share his story. We wish him all the best as he begins this new chapter of independence.