Story update · 2026 · HPHH Darwin

A year ago, we shared how Seth's Thursdays at Happy Paws Happy Hearts (HPHH) Darwin had helped him find purpose, confidence, and a handle on the different animal breeds he once found intimidating.

Twelve months on, Seth has passed an incredible milestone, three years with Happy Paws Happy Hearts! And somewhere in those three years, Seth stepped into an unofficial and unexpected role: becoming a welcoming and familiar face; the one who makes a nervous first Thursday feel a little less nervous for others.

People come and people go. That's simply the nature of things. Perhaps the biggest shift over the past year has been in the group around Seth. Seth has had the privilege of forming bonds with different participants along the way. Longtime friends Rocky-Joe and Braxton, with whom Seth spent years at the program, have since moved on, however for Seth, this opened up new opportunities to welcome participants Issac and Isabella.

Meeting new people used to feel daunting for Seth. Now, it's where he has opportunity to blossom.

“I think I am naturally a really engaging person, and a bit more open than what most people would think”, he says. “I'm not used to meeting new people at first, but then as time goes on, I become more confident.”

“Being a role model to the new participants was a weird feeling at first”, Seth reflects, “but showing them how to interact with the animals was a new way of experiencing being around new people.”

Seth is candid that his own learning disability can make communication harder some days, but Seth has learned he can practice the same kind of patience and kindness that he shows the animals, with himself and others too.

“Taking it slow and showing what to do and what not to do is a new way I can show respect for others, not just for animals, but people,” he says.

This year, Seth reached for something bigger still.

Volunteering.

Seth recently spent a full day volunteering at RSPCA Darwin’s Community Microchipping Day where he proudly represented both RSPCA and HPHH. Seth helped members of the public, guiding them towards parking and the right station for their pet's microchip, and, as he puts it, “being more of an emotional support for everyone there.”

It was his first time volunteering anywhere outside of HPHH.

“I was nervous because it was my first time doing something like that”, he admits. “But it felt really good”. Good enough, that Seth shared he would enjoy doing it again. Talking with strangers all day was once well outside his comfort zone.

“Over time at Happy Paws Happy Hearts, I have become used to interacting with different people, like staff, volunteers and sometimes members of the public, so this experience volunteering felt comfortable”, Seth shared. “In a way, the team (HPHH & RSPCA staff and volunteers) have helped shape who I am now.”

Claire Beard, Animal Services Coordinator at RSPCA NT, worked alongside Seth throughout the day and saw that growth firsthand. “Seth used a lot of initiative on this day and was very keen and excited to get stuck in and assist wherever was required of him,” she says. He spent the quiet moments before the crowds arrived gathering towels and treats for each station, then went further still. “Seth even went to the vet clinic and other stations to ask if any assistance and help was required there before people started to flood in,” Claire recalls.

Once the public began arriving, Seth was in his element. “Seth did great at talking to the general public members and greeting them with a smile,” Claire says. He also helped manage the flow of traffic, drawing directional arrows in chalk across the carpark to guide people to the right areas.

“Seth seemed very calm, confident and genuinely invested in the event and enjoying himself,” Claire adds. “He showed a keen interest in all the animals that were coming in.”

Asked what stood out to her most, Claire doesn't hesitate. “His positivity and enthusiasm. Seth was a delight to be around, and nothing seemed too much trouble for him,” she says. “Seth would be welcome back anytime, it was a pleasure having him with us.”

Seth’s favourite part of the day was one HPHH participants don’t usually have the fortune of experiencing: seeing rescue animals with their new families. Not before the happy ending, but after it.

“Seeing the many different animals that came in, mostly cats and dogs, but also seeing their owners too really gave a different kind of perspective on things”, he says. In HPHH programs, participants only ever see animals while they wait in shelter to find new families. At the microchipping day, for once, he got to see the other side of the story.

Seth knows that full-circle feeling well, recalling one of his favourite animals: a long-term shelter dog, Buster.

Buster spent more than a year in shelter patiently waiting for a home. His behaviour, jumping up at the kennel door whenever someone approached, was often read by strangers as trouble. But it wasn't. Jumping, barking, chewing at toys, these are all simply coping mechanisms shelter dogs use to work through the stress and uncertainty of life between homes.

Seth and his fellow participants understood that about Buster. It's exactly why the calm and consistent care all participants provide shelter animals week-after-week means so much. For a dog learning to feel safe again, that kind of patience isn't just kind. It's enriching. And for Buster, it paid off.

“When we learned he was adopted, we were all happy,” Seth says. “A little bit sad too, but happy, after so long.” Asked about a moment he's proud of, Buster's adoption is the one Seth landed on.

Bronwyn Hoseason-Smith, who has worked alongside Seth at RSPCA for a number of years, has watched that growth first-hand. “Over this time I have observed Seth gain confidence around the RSPCA animals, to the extent he is now able to advise other colleagues about certain behaviours to watch out for when around new dogs,” she says. “His behaviour is both calm and settled, and this sets a good example to follow. Seth is sociable and seems to relate well with other volunteers.”

Looking ahead, Seth has a clear list of what he's working towards: more volunteering beyond RSPCA, a part-time job, a steadier daily routine, and improving his health.

Tony with Handle group and chickens and Seth.jpg

"At first, I was kind of hesitant about volunteer work" he says, "but after doing the microchip day, it's made me realise that I enjoy helping out in any way, even if it's minor."

Asked what he loves most about coming to HPHH, Seth doesn't hesitate: “Seeing new people, but also new animals that appear in the shelter.” And to anyone considering the program but feeling unsure, his advice is the same today as it was in his own first, nervous week: “Just give it a shot, even if you're just nervous about partaking. Just have a go and see what it's about.”

From a participant who once struggled with a sense of isolation, to someone new participants look up to, and someone who leaves a lasting paw-print on the lives of many animals (like Buster), we couldn’t be more proud of Seth.

Thank you to Seth for once again sharing his story with us, and to our incredible Program Trainer Margaret and supporting volunteers for the ongoing support that has helped Seth, along with his fellow peers, continue to grow in confidence and for Seth, into the kind and welcoming presence he is today.