Real-world learning, confidence-building, and a whole lot of animal love with Mackay State High School students

Thanks to the generous support of the St George Foundation Thrive Grant, HPHH Mackay welcomed 5 students from Mackay State High School into a 6-month Handle program—and they’ve already achieved so much!

Since February 2025, participants have attended HPHH on a weekly basis, engaging in hands-on animal training with the shelter animals at RSPCA Mackay, where they have:

·        Gained animal behaviour and enrichment skills

·        Built confidence, patience, and teamwork

·        Developed communication and a sense of responsibility

“Developing new skills for animal training and care has been the cornerstone to a newfound confidence for the students”, said Terri, HPHH Senior Program Trainer, Mackay.

Bec, a Teaching Assistant at Mackay State High School, who has attended each session alongside the students, shared how she’s seen them grow in confidence each week by developing responsibility through animal care, gaining valuable experience for future employment, and simply having the opportunity to let their natural personalities shine.

We’re incredibly proud of their progress and grateful to the students for joining Happy Paws Happy Hearts with open hearts and minds.

However, their story won’t end here.

Again, thanks to the generous support of St George Foundation, these students will shortly conclude their Handle Program in July, and will transition into our capstone Employment Pathways Program, Explore. In Explore, the students will expand on their newfound skills and confidence, and develop a range of valuable job readiness skills to prepare them for their next steps into volunteering, work or further study. From goal setting and workplace communication to financial literacy, dressing for success, resume writing and interview skills, they will build a strong foundation to achieve their future goals as they continue to work with the shelter animals.

We look forward to sharing more amazing outcomes thanks to this amazing opportunity to work in partnership with Mackay State High School.