People of all abilities invited to connect with puppies in training

An Australian-first program is taking enrolments from NDIS participants to join its March intake, giving them social connection and skill-building as well as socialisation for puppies in training to become assistance dogs. 

The Connections Program is a partnership co-created by Assistance Dogs Australia and Happy Paws Happy Hearts.

Penelope De Clouett, senior program trainer for Happy Paws Happy Hearts and head trainer for the program, said the initiative had created a special community.

“It promotes inclusion and happiness in a place where people and animals come together to break down personal barriers and create space for change through fun programs,” Penelope said.

Assistance Dogs Australia is a national not-for-profit organisation that breeds, trains and places life-changing accredited assistance dogs with people who have physical disabilities, children with autism and veterans and first responders with PTSD, empowering connection, inclusion and independence.

What is the Connections Program?

It's a result of an Australian-first partnership between Assistance Dogs Australia and Happy Paws Happy Hearts, offering people living with disabilities the opportunity to develop life skills, confidence and independence through interacting with puppies training to be future assistance dogs. The program is currently held only at Assistance Dogs Australia training centre at Waterfall.

Penelope says the 12-week program offers mutual benefits as puppies get vital socialisation and participants get to improve their social skills.

“Participants connect with both people and the puppies, which strengthens their communication and teamwork skills,” Penelope said.

“We have had very positive feedback from our participants, and some even wished it went longer.

“We go on excursions in the program and even get to see more advanced assistance dogs, so it’s great for our participants to be able to see the end result of their work."

Workshops are held every Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, with regular free orientation sessions in the mornings, when people can see if they would like to join, ask questions and meet a puppy.

The Connections Program welcomes people of all abilities whether they are with the NDIS, on a school leaver employment support (SLES), with another support scheme, or self-funded.

Program impact and significance

Puppies in training get to experience people from all walks of life, living with people who have a variety of disabilities and conditions such as ADHD and autism, and some being verbal or non-verbal. Some participants use mobility such as wheelchairs and walkers, giving the puppies a different socialisation experience.

Penelope says this level of socialisation has had great results for the puppies as they will be expected to work with similar people as assistance dogs.

Penelope recalls some of the participants benefiting so greatly from the program that they removed headphones they use for self-regulation in high sensory environments.

“Participants felt comfortable and safe enough to remove their headphones within the first few weeks of the program and even felt confident enough to get back into the classroom environment.”

“It's been amazing to watch the same people who first walked in with eyes down, no eye contact, not really verbal, to then communicate.”

“We had a mum get very teary and say that apart from his home, this was the first place her child has ever felt safe, and he ended up completing the program independently.”

The Connections Program helps participant feel socially included, with improved confidence, learning new skills, making friendships and feeling a sense of connection. Lots of improvements were seen in participants over the 12 weeks. Some have even thought about getting into work that involves animals after undertaking the Connections Program.

“Participants have favourite puppies by the time they finish the program and have told us they feel a strong sense of belonging and independence, which is one of the program’s primary goals,” Penelope said.

“It's all due to the help of the puppies in training to being a calming presence and acting as great companions to break down those barriers we can often feel in group environments and meeting new people."

The program is welcoming new participants to experience the magic of connecting with assistance puppies while building their confidence and independence. With demand continuing to grow, Happy Paws Happy Hearts is also seeking expressions of interest for upcoming intakes.

How to get involved 

Participants can submit their interest through the Happy Paws Happy Hearts participation form or by contacting the enrolment team directly on 1300 077 984 or at hello@hphhfoundation.org.