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Naomi Snell creates and founds 'Paws For Purrfect Patient Therapy', a not-for-profit organisation that finds loving foster carers for the pets of mentally ill patients.
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Ms Snell takes her initiative to several consumer consultants in the community. Paws recruits volunteers including a Media and Communications Director, a grants writer and general committee members.
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The Health and Community Services Union (HACSU) shows its support for Paws by supplying a corporate and government grants guide.
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Paws is added to the thousands of not-for-profit organisations listed on the 'Our Community' website to help advertise the initiative.
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Paws develops its own website for greater advertising and an enhanced ability to connect with consumers. http://www.pawsforpurrfectpatienttherapy.com/
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Paws is advertised on the 'Our Consumer Place' website, a centre that provides information, support and advice to projects ran by mental health consumers.
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Paws has a meeting with the Lort Smith Hospital who takes a major interest in the project. Under the guidance of Liz Walker (Shelter Manager), the LSH provides supplies for Paws foster carers including food, bedding, litter, collars and leads.
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Paws takes in six pets of mental health consumers in crisis and finds appropriate shelter for them.
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The Household Disaster Relief Fund - another not-for-profit organisation in Melbourne - agrees to act as an auspice organisation for Paws. Headed by HDRF founder Jenny Hickinbotham.
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Paws hosts its first community meeting for board members and interested members of the public.
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Paws meets with community organisation 'Petlink' who agrees to begin referring pets to the organisation in mid-April.
