Meet PAWS Pet Therapy

Tell us about PAWS Pet Therapy. What is your mission?
PAWS Pet Therapy’s mission is to train and support volunteers to carry out safe, enjoyable pet-assisted therapy visits for people with a range of needs, and to promote the benefits and magic of pet-assisted therapy.

What are your programs/initiatives and why do you run them?

Core Pet Therapy Visits – Regular visits to hospitals, aged care facilities, mental health units, cancer units, specialist hospital wards, and community services.
Why: To reduce loneliness, anxiety, and stress, and bring emotional comfort to people in need.

Campus Canines – University and TAFE visits supporting student wellbeing and stress reduction.
Why: To help students manage pressure and build social connections through a fun and enjoyable activity.

Paws ‘n’ Tales – Reading and literacy sessions in schools and libraries.

Mate @ the Gate – Support for children experiencing fear or anxiety about entering and enjoying school.
Why: To build children’s confidence, focus, and love of reading in a relaxed, non-judgmental setting.

Comfort Dogs – Special visits to palliative care and mental health services.
Why: To offer comfort, compassion, and calm during times of stress, illness, or loss, supporting patients, their families, and staff.

Community Support Dogs – Support for people experiencing homelessness or living in domestic violence shelters.
Why: To provide support, connection, and a sense of home to people in difficult life situations.

Community Outreach & Events – Participation in community, corporate, and wellbeing events.
Why: To promote mental health awareness, support special days and events, recruit volunteers, and share and promote the benefits of pet therapy.

How do you involve volunteers in your programs?
Volunteers are the heart of PAWS Pet Therapy. Each handler-and-dog team completes comprehensive PAWS training and assessment before being placed to provide safe, professional visits to PAWS’s range of clients. Services are carefully chosen for the PAWS teams, ensuring they suit their interests and availability, and that volunteers receive ongoing support, communication, and recognition. Many PAWS volunteers assist with training, mentoring, events, and recruitment – helping spread the PAWS magic even further.

Do you have any stories from your volunteers?
PAWS has countless stories from its volunteers about the powerful impact of their visits. Volunteers are often in awe of the magical moments their dogs create. One volunteer shared how her dog gently rested his head on the knee of an elderly resident who hadn’t spoken for weeks, prompting tears and conversation. Another told of students saying a Campus Canines visit helped them get through exam stress. One PAWS dog prompted the last words from a gentleman in palliative care, as he uttered “beautiful dog” before gently slipping away, his hand resting on her soft coat.

These simple yet meaningful moments show how PAWS volunteers and their dogs bring comfort, joy, and connection to people who need it most – and special memories for loved ones.

PAWS Pet Therapy volunteers bring comfort, connection, and joy wherever they go. PAWS visits help reduce loneliness, stress, and anxiety, and create special moments of warmth for people in hospitals, aged care, mental health, education, and community settings. Through their time, compassion, and the gentle presence of their dogs, PAWS volunteers help people feel valued, calm, and supported. They also strengthen community wellbeing by promoting empathy, inclusion, and connection – proving that sometimes the smallest gestures, like a wagging tail or a friendly chat, make the biggest difference.

What resources and services have helped to support your volunteer involvement?
PAWS Pet Therapy benefits from a strong network of support within the volunteer and community sector. Guidance and resources from organisations such as The Centre for Volunteering have been valuable in strengthening PAWS volunteer management, recognition, and governance practices. PAWS also utilise community grants, local council programs, and volunteer recruitment platforms to expand its reach. These resources help provide structured training, ongoing support, and recognition for volunteers – ensuring they feel valued, connected, and confident in their important role.

Why did your organisation become a member of The Centre? What benefit has it brought your organisation?
PAWS Pet Therapy joined The Centre for Volunteering to strengthen its volunteer management, access expert guidance, and connect with the broader volunteering community. Membership has provided valuable resources, training opportunities, and recognition programs that support volunteers and enhance organisational practices. Being part of The Centre also reinforces PAWS’s commitment to excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement in how PAWS recruits, trains, and supports its volunteers across NSW and beyond.

 LEARN MORE ABOUT PAWS PET THERAPY

Membership

The Centre is proud to support organisations like PAWS Pet Therapy, doing important work in the community.

Being part of The Centre for Volunteering reinforces PAWS’s commitment to excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement in how PAWS recruits, trains, and supports its volunteers across NSW and beyond.”

– PAWS Pet Therapy