After losing her pet Rottweiler, retiree Cheryl Cooper longed for animal companionship.
Ms Cooper lives in a retirement home at Edgeworth in New South Wales' Hunter Valley where it is too difficult for her to own and care for a pet.
But two years ago, she discovered the not-for-profit organisation Happy Paws Happy Hearts (HPHH), which connects vulnerable people with rescue animals as a "flip" on animal therapy.
"It's a win-win," HPHH team leader Nina Waterton said.
"Instead of connecting participants [with] a trained dog, we want to bring those people that are suffering from that social isolation to a rescue facility where the animals need love and attention and training."
Ms Cooper attends a three-hour session hosted by HPHH each week at a local animal shelter.
"It's the highlight of my week," she said.
'It's just precious'
HPHH has a range of programs to support people with mental health struggles, disabilities, the elderly, defence force personnel and injured workers living with trauma.
During the sessions, participants help care for a range of rescue animals and socialise them.
"We teach them to sit, drop and stay and play, and taking a walk on your leads," Ms Cooper said.
"It's just precious when we get a dog to sit and drop and then come when you call. It is just amazing.
"And when we find out that they have been [adopted] it just makes you happy they're going to their forever home."
Boosting social outcomes
Dylan Wilkinson also benefits from the program. He has autism and often finds socialising a challenge.
He attends the organisation's newly-launched "explore" program that's specifically designed to build employability and social skills for those in need.
"[My favourite thing is] being able to help all the animals, all the dogs, helping them be happy and get a new home," he said.
Mr Wilkinson has recently completed a Certificate III in Companion Animals and is set to do a work placement as part of the HPHH program.
The sessions also provide the chance for participants to make friends.
"I'm so happy I get to spend time with the animals, but also the people who are in our classes," Ms Cooper said.
"I've made some beautiful friends young and old.
"We've all got some sort of mental health issue … we care about each other as well, which is really nice."
The organisation delivers session across Australia.
It has about 50 participants in the Hunter, with plans to expand that in the future.
