1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:01,920 Speaker 1: As I mentioned before, we know that there's a new 2 00:00:01,960 --> 00:00:04,880 Speaker 1: initiative it's going to be connecting veterans as well as 3 00:00:05,240 --> 00:00:09,560 Speaker 1: people with a disability or mental health issues with rescue animals. 4 00:00:09,600 --> 00:00:12,920 Speaker 1: It's being launched right here in Darwin. It's called Happy Pause, 5 00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:16,840 Speaker 1: the Happy Pause, Happy Hearts Program, and it's been delivering 6 00:00:16,880 --> 00:00:19,680 Speaker 1: positive results in other parts of the country, which has 7 00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:22,920 Speaker 1: indeed led to its expansion here to the Northern Territory. 8 00:00:22,920 --> 00:00:24,960 Speaker 1: Now joining me on the line to tell me more 9 00:00:25,520 --> 00:00:29,160 Speaker 1: is the CEO and founder, Zoey Black. Hi. 10 00:00:29,280 --> 00:00:31,880 Speaker 2: Zoe Hi, Katie, thanks for having me. 11 00:00:32,120 --> 00:00:34,400 Speaker 1: Great to have you on the show. Tell me a 12 00:00:34,440 --> 00:00:37,720 Speaker 1: little bit more about what the Happy Pause, Happy Hearts 13 00:00:37,760 --> 00:00:38,800 Speaker 1: Program involves. 14 00:00:40,320 --> 00:00:43,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, well, it's as you beautifully described there, it's about 15 00:00:43,680 --> 00:00:47,600 Speaker 2: connecting people with rescue animals. And what immediately comes to 16 00:00:47,680 --> 00:00:50,280 Speaker 2: most people's minds is that would be lining them up 17 00:00:50,320 --> 00:00:53,040 Speaker 2: with a pet. But we're actually quite a bit different. 18 00:00:53,159 --> 00:00:56,920 Speaker 2: So what we do is we find veterans, people disabilities, 19 00:00:57,000 --> 00:00:59,600 Speaker 2: mental health challenges, and we actually bring them out to 20 00:01:00,200 --> 00:01:02,720 Speaker 2: location and we bring the rescue animals in and they 21 00:01:02,800 --> 00:01:05,400 Speaker 2: learn how to train and work with rescue animals. 22 00:01:05,959 --> 00:01:10,600 Speaker 1: How amazing. Now, what exactly would the participants be doing. 23 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:16,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, so they're learning all about great animal training skills, 24 00:01:16,200 --> 00:01:22,679 Speaker 2: socialization and enrichment. Also those really fundamental work around rescue 25 00:01:22,720 --> 00:01:26,160 Speaker 2: animals at the RSPCA there in Darwin with a lovely 26 00:01:26,200 --> 00:01:29,280 Speaker 2: team that Adam has there. So they're learning all about 27 00:01:29,319 --> 00:01:31,640 Speaker 2: you know, the language and the stress signs that you 28 00:01:31,720 --> 00:01:34,600 Speaker 2: see in rescue animals while also working on their own 29 00:01:34,640 --> 00:01:39,000 Speaker 2: personal development. And in other programs, we see people move 30 00:01:39,080 --> 00:01:41,880 Speaker 2: from working with us right through to employment or back 31 00:01:41,920 --> 00:01:44,959 Speaker 2: to education or into independent community roles. 32 00:01:45,560 --> 00:01:48,240 Speaker 1: And how would it benefit those involved or I mean 33 00:01:48,280 --> 00:01:51,720 Speaker 1: you've probably seen it now unfolding in different states. How 34 00:01:51,760 --> 00:01:56,000 Speaker 1: does it really benefit those that are involved? Yeah? 35 00:01:56,000 --> 00:01:58,880 Speaker 2: Look, I knew first hand how difficult it is to 36 00:01:58,960 --> 00:02:02,960 Speaker 2: pull yourself out of the isolating situation and meet new people. 37 00:02:03,320 --> 00:02:07,240 Speaker 2: And what rescue animals do is that they really I guess, 38 00:02:07,280 --> 00:02:10,799 Speaker 2: mirror that journey with you. They connect you with other 39 00:02:10,840 --> 00:02:14,480 Speaker 2: people in a fun and engaging way. And really what 40 00:02:14,520 --> 00:02:17,800 Speaker 2: we provide is skills and social networks and then just 41 00:02:17,840 --> 00:02:21,560 Speaker 2: that sense of purpose piece of actually you know, working 42 00:02:21,560 --> 00:02:24,480 Speaker 2: with rescue animals just really can change your attitude about 43 00:02:24,520 --> 00:02:26,959 Speaker 2: yourself and give yourself confidence to then go on to 44 00:02:27,639 --> 00:02:29,919 Speaker 2: other things in life, which is really really rewarding. 45 00:02:30,400 --> 00:02:33,000 Speaker 1: And so are there certain animals that are you know, 46 00:02:33,120 --> 00:02:36,760 Speaker 1: that are better suited to different people or people who 47 00:02:36,760 --> 00:02:40,560 Speaker 1: are maybe you know, going through different difficult things. 48 00:02:42,160 --> 00:02:45,120 Speaker 2: Yeah. Look, we often find that people will come in 49 00:02:45,200 --> 00:02:47,679 Speaker 2: and they'll have a passion for a particular animal, whether 50 00:02:47,760 --> 00:02:50,280 Speaker 2: that's dogs or cats. You know, people always have that debate. 51 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:53,919 Speaker 2: But really we work with what animals the shelter team 52 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:56,200 Speaker 2: most needs us to work with, you know, and the 53 00:02:56,200 --> 00:02:58,359 Speaker 2: wet there or the start of the wet, you might 54 00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:02,000 Speaker 2: see more surrenders coming in as people leave, So we 55 00:03:02,040 --> 00:03:04,680 Speaker 2: work with what our safe to work with, and you know, 56 00:03:04,760 --> 00:03:07,600 Speaker 2: try to give that animal a really good experience, build 57 00:03:07,600 --> 00:03:11,200 Speaker 2: their positive association with people, and help them on their 58 00:03:11,240 --> 00:03:13,360 Speaker 2: journey to finding a new home. Tell me when we 59 00:03:13,400 --> 00:03:16,160 Speaker 2: find some people really surprise themselves as to what animals 60 00:03:16,160 --> 00:03:19,200 Speaker 2: they get into because they learn more about different animal types. 61 00:03:19,280 --> 00:03:21,160 Speaker 2: It's amazing what people can get interested in. 62 00:03:21,440 --> 00:03:24,720 Speaker 1: I reckon it sounds phenomenal. Tell me about some of 63 00:03:24,760 --> 00:03:27,400 Speaker 1: the successes of the program from what you've seen in 64 00:03:27,440 --> 00:03:29,679 Speaker 1: other places where it's already operating. 65 00:03:31,000 --> 00:03:34,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, look, I've got so many different, you know stories 66 00:03:34,520 --> 00:03:37,520 Speaker 2: that means so much to me personally. Obviously, this was 67 00:03:37,560 --> 00:03:39,680 Speaker 2: something I started. I didn't know if it would have 68 00:03:39,720 --> 00:03:41,840 Speaker 2: an impact for other people. I just knew that I 69 00:03:41,920 --> 00:03:45,400 Speaker 2: really felt like rescue animals needed extra hands on time, 70 00:03:45,480 --> 00:03:48,160 Speaker 2: and the part that I wanted to see was whether 71 00:03:48,280 --> 00:03:50,680 Speaker 2: or not when we engage people, they would also go 72 00:03:50,760 --> 00:03:53,480 Speaker 2: on their journey. And we've certainly seen that. You know, 73 00:03:53,520 --> 00:03:56,800 Speaker 2: there's this beautiful young woman in Brisbane that I saw 74 00:03:56,840 --> 00:03:58,960 Speaker 2: from the first day she walked through the shelter where 75 00:03:58,960 --> 00:04:01,160 Speaker 2: she really didn't say much at all and mum was 76 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:03,440 Speaker 2: doing all of the talking, and now she's a chatterbox, 77 00:04:03,480 --> 00:04:09,000 Speaker 2: running her own business and also volunteering at the shelter independently. 78 00:04:10,200 --> 00:04:13,400 Speaker 2: We have amazing track record with veterans as well. They 79 00:04:13,440 --> 00:04:15,720 Speaker 2: have a particular passion for dogs, but they're also just 80 00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:18,839 Speaker 2: really good at that work with dogs that have experienced 81 00:04:18,839 --> 00:04:22,640 Speaker 2: their own trauma and the routine and consistency that they need, 82 00:04:22,680 --> 00:04:25,479 Speaker 2: and the patience that those dogs need. We just find 83 00:04:25,480 --> 00:04:27,800 Speaker 2: that the veterans are really well matched to that space. 84 00:04:28,600 --> 00:04:31,080 Speaker 1: What an incredible thing that you've done. I think this 85 00:04:31,200 --> 00:04:34,279 Speaker 1: sounds amazing. I know that there's going to be people 86 00:04:34,320 --> 00:04:37,400 Speaker 1: listening this morning thinking how can I get involved. 87 00:04:38,720 --> 00:04:40,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, please reach out to us now, like we've already 88 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:44,400 Speaker 2: got our trainer actually just raring to go, and we 89 00:04:44,440 --> 00:04:47,839 Speaker 2: know it's challenging to get out and the web, but 90 00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:50,760 Speaker 2: we're available. We are going to be in an air 91 00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:54,440 Speaker 2: conditioned room. Adam and his team are really great and 92 00:04:54,480 --> 00:04:58,159 Speaker 2: they need that extra time with the animals. So please 93 00:04:58,240 --> 00:05:00,640 Speaker 2: jump onto our website. You can probably just google Happy Cause, 94 00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:04,960 Speaker 2: Happy Hearts or HPH foundation dot org and connect with 95 00:05:05,040 --> 00:05:07,640 Speaker 2: us and we'll talk you through everything from there and. 96 00:05:07,600 --> 00:05:11,240 Speaker 1: See how many other locations is this operating in currently. 97 00:05:12,400 --> 00:05:15,839 Speaker 2: Yeah, so we've got six locations in total at the moment, 98 00:05:16,200 --> 00:05:19,919 Speaker 2: and it's yeah, each time we go into a new area, 99 00:05:20,160 --> 00:05:22,719 Speaker 2: we you know, connect to other people. And I guess 100 00:05:22,760 --> 00:05:25,680 Speaker 2: when I started it, I didn't realize just how much 101 00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:28,840 Speaker 2: it was needed across the country. And it's been really 102 00:05:29,080 --> 00:05:31,080 Speaker 2: interesting to for see how every time we go to 103 00:05:31,120 --> 00:05:34,320 Speaker 2: a new location we find people who needed access to 104 00:05:34,360 --> 00:05:36,640 Speaker 2: a service like this. And of course the rescue shelters 105 00:05:36,640 --> 00:05:38,280 Speaker 2: have been knocking at my door saying when are you're 106 00:05:38,320 --> 00:05:39,640 Speaker 2: coming here? When you're coming there? 107 00:05:40,200 --> 00:05:42,080 Speaker 1: And do you reckon? Like do you think that you'll 108 00:05:42,120 --> 00:05:44,640 Speaker 1: find in a place like Darwin that it's going to 109 00:05:44,680 --> 00:05:48,920 Speaker 1: be incredibly popular given our huge defense presents. 110 00:05:49,920 --> 00:05:52,640 Speaker 2: I do. And I've had you know, conversations with a 111 00:05:52,680 --> 00:05:57,080 Speaker 2: local community, with rehab providers and with the RSPCA, and 112 00:05:57,640 --> 00:06:00,120 Speaker 2: that was one of the real I guess attractions from 113 00:06:00,160 --> 00:06:03,120 Speaker 2: the RSPCA perspective, because they are out and about in 114 00:06:03,160 --> 00:06:05,279 Speaker 2: the community so much, and they knew that we'd done 115 00:06:05,279 --> 00:06:08,400 Speaker 2: this work with veteran from the very beginning of the 116 00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:11,880 Speaker 2: organization's history. It's a real passion area of mine, and 117 00:06:11,920 --> 00:06:14,480 Speaker 2: so they felt like it would be really well placed 118 00:06:14,520 --> 00:06:17,440 Speaker 2: in Darwin and sell the contact that I've made. 119 00:06:17,680 --> 00:06:20,960 Speaker 1: Oh, Zoe, phenomenal stuff. I think it sounds like it's 120 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:23,320 Speaker 1: going to be a great program. Maybe'd be really keen 121 00:06:23,960 --> 00:06:26,200 Speaker 1: to find out how it's going once you've been operating 122 00:06:26,200 --> 00:06:28,279 Speaker 1: for a little while here in the territory as well. 123 00:06:29,360 --> 00:06:31,240 Speaker 2: I'd love to, yeah, circle back and let you know 124 00:06:31,279 --> 00:06:33,720 Speaker 2: how we're going and the impact of the distance for 125 00:06:34,360 --> 00:06:36,920 Speaker 2: experiencing and of course you know the amazing worker they'll 126 00:06:36,920 --> 00:06:39,200 Speaker 2: do for those animals. It'll be really great. 127 00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:44,200 Speaker 1: Well, happy pause, Happy Hearts founder and CEO Zoe Black, 128 00:06:44,440 --> 00:06:47,080 Speaker 1: lovely to speak to you this morning. Well done on 129 00:06:47,160 --> 00:06:48,560 Speaker 1: this work. It sounds incredible. 130 00:06:49,520 --> 00:06:50,920 Speaker 2: Thank you Katie, Thanks everyone 131 00:06:51,080 --> 00:06:52,240 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for your time.