Happy Paws Happy Hearts Foundation

What Happy Paws Happy Hearts Foundation does

Happy Paws Happy Hearts Foundation (HPHH) is an Australian registered not-for-profit charity, founded in 2015 and headquartered at the RSPCA Wacol Animal Care Centre in Wacol, Queensland (ABN: 53 604 090 271). The organization operates animal-assisted intervention programs that pair socially isolated individuals with rescue animals in shelter settings. Participants include NDIS participants, people with disabilities and mental health challenges, Australian Defence Force veterans and first responders, injured workers, defence families, and at-risk youth aged 12+. Across these cohorts, HPHH runs six core programs—In-Shelter Programs, In-Shelter Intensive Programs, HPHH Online, HPHH Online Intensive, the Explore Program (employment pathways), and the Defence Families Program—delivered through a network of 37+ partner shelters and wildlife sanctuaries across Queensland, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, and Tasmania. The organization employs 43 staff and is led by co-founder and CEO Zoe Black.

The underlying operational model is a dual-benefit intervention architecture: participants work on personal social, life-skills, trauma recovery, or employment-readiness goals while simultaneously supporting the rehabilitation, training, and adoption-readiness of rescue animals. Programs are delivered in small in-person groups at partner shelter sites (including RSPCA Queensland locations, Ten Lives Cat Centre in Hobart, Dogs' Homes of Tasmania, and RSPCA Darwin) and remotely through online video, quiz, and activity content. HPHH's go-to-market is referral-driven: participants are acquired through NDIS plan managers, DVA, iCare, Work Cover, RSL Queensland, and disability service providers, with enrollment handled via website enquiry forms and a support team that distributes information packs.

Revenue is generated from three streams: government and quasi-government program funding (NDIS plans, DVA veteran services, iCare, Work Cover, state-based injured workers schemes, and grants such as RSL Queensland's Defence Families funding and a 2019 $511,860 Queensland Government infrastructure grant), tax-deductible charitable donations from individuals and organizations, and merchandise sales through an online shop. Corporate partnerships have been added recently, with The Flight Centre Foundation (February 2024) as the first corporate partner and the Brisbane Broncos (2025) as a charity partner. HPHH reports that 81% of participants showed improvement across multiple life areas in 2021 measurements and has been certified by Social Traders and People and Planet First, winning the 2025 Australian Enterprise Awards and receiving an LMBA 2025 Special Mention for Social Enterprise.

Name

Happy Paws Happy Hearts Foundation

Legal name

Happy Paws Happy Hearts Foundation

Website

https://hphhfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Happy Paws Happy Hearts Foundation is an Australian non-profit operating animal-assisted intervention programs that connect socially isolated NDIS participants, veterans, first responders, injured workers, defence families, and at-risk youth with rescue animals across 37+ partner shelters in Queensland, New South Wales, Northern Territory, and Tasmania.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal-Assisted Social Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Animal Welfare & Advocacy Organizations (AFAEALAC)

Keywords

• Animal assisted intervention
• Disability support programs
• Veteran rehabilitation services
• Rescue animal welfare
• Social inclusion programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Wacol

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable donations and tax-deductible contributions: Donations from individuals and organizations supporting the mission of connecting isolated Australians with rescue animals
2. NDIS and government-funded programs: Programs funded through NDIS plans, DVA veteran services, iCare, Work Cover, and state-based injured workers schemes
3. Merchandise sales: Sale of branded merchandise including t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, and limited edition 10-year anniversary products through an online shop

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Happy Paws Happy Hearts Foundation delivers animal-assisted intervention programs that connect socially isolated participants (people with disabilities, veterans, first responders, injured workers, and at-risk youth) with rescue animals at partner shelters across Australia. Programs include in-shelter sessions, intensive dog-training tracks, online learning, an employment pathway program, and a defence families program, all designed to build social skills and confidence while supporting rescue animal rehabilitation. Revenue is generated through NDIS/DVA/government funding, charitable donations, corporate partnerships, grants, and merchandise sales.

Product overview

Happy Paws Happy Hearts Foundation operates a suite of social programs centered around human-animal interaction at rescue shelters. The core offerings include In-Shelter Programs and In-Shelter Intensive Programs (delivered in-person at partner shelters), HPHH Online Program and HPHH Online Intensive Program (remote alternatives), the Explore Program (employment pathways), and the Defence Families Program. The organization also operates an e-commerce Shop for merchandise. All programs are designed to address social isolation while supporting rescue animal welfare.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• In-Shelter Programs: In-person, small group sessions centered around animal interactions at rescue shelters
• In-Shelter Intensive Programs
• HPHH Online
• HPHH Online Intensive
• Explore Program
• Defence Families Program

Products and services

• In-Shelter Programs Small-group in-person sessions at rescue shelters where participants aged 12+ engage in hands-on animal interactions, build trust with shelter animals, and work on personal development goals. Designed for NDIS participants, SLES participants, and disability services clients.
• In-Shelter Intensive Programs Specialized in-person dog training and rehabilitation program serving Defence Force members, veterans, first responders, and injured workers. Includes dog training, rehabilitation work, and shelter operations education.
• HPHH Online Program Remote program delivery for participants unable to access physical locations, featuring animal behaviour education through interactive activities, quizzes, and video sessions.
• HPHH Online Intensive Program Remote learning program for veterans, iCare clients, first responders, injured workers, and Work Cover participants who prefer online participation over in-person attendance.
• Explore Program Employment pathway program preparing at-risk youth aged 15-24 for volunteering, work, or further study in the animal care industry. Covers goal setting, barrier identification, workforce communication, and includes work placements.
• Defence Families Program 10-week group program for Defence Force families combining animal training skills with strategies for improved family communication and community engagement, delivered at RSPCA Dakabin.
• HPHH Shop Online merchandise store selling apparel including t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, and limited edition items including 10-year anniversary products. Proceeds support HPHH programs and all purchases are tax-deductible through the registered charity.

Quantifiable outcome

• 81% of participants improving in multiple areas of their lives (2021)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Brisbane BroncoscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025HPHH named as a Brisbane Broncos 2025 Charity Partner, featuring celebrity visits (Wally Lewis) to program locations and joint awareness campaigns.
• RSPCA QueenslandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary shelter partner operating programs at RSPCA Wacol, Mackay, Toowoomba, and Dakabin locations. HPHH works within RSPCA shelters facilitating animal care and training programs.
• Ten Lives Cat CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHobart-based cat rescue organization partnering with HPHH since 2022 to deliver cat care programs for participants.
• Dogs' Homes of TasmaniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTasmanian dog rescue organization partnering with HPHH for dog training and rehabilitation programs since 2023.
• RSPCA NTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthern Territory operations at RSPCA Darwin, offering intensive programs for veterans and general programs.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Animals Australia: National animal welfare advocacy organisation with comparable mission alignment around animal protection and broad Australian donor base.
• Soldier On Australia: National veteran-support charity delivering physical and mental health programs for ADF veterans. Comparable DVA-aligned funding, veteran cohort overlap and complementary program-design intent.
• RSPCA Australia: National animal welfare federation that is HPHH's primary shelter delivery partner (QLD, NT). Larger, established animal welfare portfolio that overlaps with HPHH's rescue-animal mission.

Direct peers

• Riding for the Disabled Association Australia: Delivers equine-assisted programs for people with disabilities across Australia using a centre-based volunteer model. Same animal-assisted human-development thesis and NDIS-relevant participant base as HPHH.
• Smart Pups Assistance Dogs: Trains assistance dogs for children with autism and related disabilities in Queensland. Smaller-scope peer operating in the same Queensland animal-assisted disability space with NDIS-aligned funding.
• Endeavour Foundation: One of Australia's largest NDIS-registered disability services organisations, delivering employment, accommodation and learning support. Comparable NDIS-funded human services scale and multi-state Australian footprint.
• Assistance Dogs Australia: Trains and places assistance dogs with Australians living with physical disabilities and post-traumatic stress. Comparable animal-assisted human-services mission, NDIS-aligned funding, and Australia-wide delivery model.
• Guide Dogs Australia: National charity breeding, training and pairing guide/assistance dogs with Australians with low vision or disability. Closely comparable training-plus-social-outcome model and Australian NDIS-relevant funder base.
• Delta Therapy Dogs Australia: Volunteer-driven animal-assisted therapy visits to hospitals, aged care and disability services. Closest peer on the animal-assisted intervention model serving similar vulnerable cohorts in Australia.
• Multicap: Large Queensland-based NDIS disability services provider offering supported employment, accommodation and therapy. Comparable NDIS revenue model and disability participant base served.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hphhfoundation
• YouTubeyoutube.com/happypawshappyhearts
• Facebookfacebook.com/happypawshappyhearts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/happypawshappyhearts
• Instagraminstagram.com/happypawshappyhearts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Happy Paws Happy Hearts Foundation