When 34-year-old Teneisha Trethewey first joined our Campbell Page Disability Employment Services program in Dapto in late 2022, she carried with her one dream: to work with animals. At the time, she was managing health challenges, including anxiety and ongoing physical conditions. She didn’t have a long work history and had been focused on raising her beautiful children, but her passion for animal care was clear from the very first conversation.
Teneisha’s Employment Consultant, Nadene, remembers that first meeting vividly. “From the start, Teneisha’s love for animals was obvious. She might not have had much recent work experience, but she had determination, and that was all we needed to begin mapping out her path.”
With Nadene’s support, Teneisha explored training options and enrolled in a Certificate III in Animal Care at TAFE. She applied herself with dedication, passing with flying colours. Not content to stop there, she went on to complete a Certificate III in Animal Grooming, building on her skills and knowledge. Campbell Page supported her every step of the way, helping cover course costs, providing grooming tools, and making sure she had what she needed to succeed.
Looking back, Teneisha says: “Being out of work for well over 10 years, I never thought working with animals was possible. But I never gave up on my dream. With Nadene’s help, I could finally take the steps I needed to get there.”
Her next big breakthrough came with a placement at VIP Dog Club in Barrack Heights. There, Teneisha found the perfect environment to put her skills into practice. She thrived in the hands-on role, built strong friendships, and even continued to volunteer three days a week after her placement hours were complete.
Her dedication didn’t go unnoticed. In July 2025, VIP Dog Club offered her a casual paid role for 15 hours per week. Campbell Page worked alongside her employer Claudia to arrange a wage subsidy and provided extra support with clothing and fuel cards, ensuring Teneisha could start her new role with confidence.
Teneisha says the experience has been life-changing. “Working at VIP Dog Club has helped me gain friendships with colleagues and given me the chance to show leadership and respect in the workplace. It feels incredible to finally be in a job I love after so many years. Every time I walk in, I think, ‘I love it here.’”
For Nadene, moments like this are why she does what she does. “I am so proud of Teneisha. She has worked incredibly hard, and seeing her achieve her dream makes all the difference. She’s proof that with the right support, anything is possible.”
Teneisha’s journey is a powerful reminder that dreams don’t have an expiry date. With courage, determination, and the right support, she has built the future she always wanted, and is loving every minute of it.
