Pull up a cushion, grab a cuppa — I’m going to be honest, chatty, and a little bit raw.
Hi, I’m Kimberley Jane. I live on the beautiful Gold Coast, and I’ve been a primary school teacher for over 26 years. I’m also the founder of Passion with Paws and the proud handler of two therapy dogs, Daisy-Anne and Mickey. Oh — and I’m an author! My first children’s picture book, Walk a Week With Us in School, follows a week in the life of these
two special therapy dogs. It’s written in rhyme and rhythm to help children understand what therapy dogs do and how they bring comfort and connection to schools. I co-wrote it with my daughter Zoe, and together, we wanted to create something warm, hopeful, and real.
Before all this, I was just your typical classroom teacher who loved books, kids, and Disney (especially Mickey Mouse!). But after a few major life challenges, including trauma that shook my world, my life — and my heart — took a completely new direction.
At the end of 2020, my world turned upside down after a traumatic event I never saw coming. I found myself searching for meaning, and to be honest, just a reason to get out of bed each morning. That reason arrived in the form of four furry paws. In September 2021, Daisy-Anne joined our family — named after my late friend Anne Marie, a dog lover who I’m sure is cheering us on from above. Then in October 2022, Mickey arrived, following in his sister’s pawprints.
From someone who said, “I’m never getting a dog,” I somehow ended up with two therapy dogs, who’ve changed not only my life but the lives of many others too.
I started writing as a way to heal. It was cathartic — it gave me purpose again. The more I worked with Daisy-Anne and Mickey, the more I realised how powerful therapy dogs can be for children’s wellbeing.
They help students build:
• Confidence
• Emotional Regulation
• and Connection.
I wanted to capture that magic in a story that could help children — and teachers — understand how dogs make school a little brighter.
The book takes readers through a full week with the dogs — their school visits, their home time, and the love they bring wherever they go. Seeing my illustrator Alessia (who lives in Italy!) bring the story to life through our emails was surreal. One page at a time, the book slowly became real.
Do you have an idea for a book but not sure what to do about it?
Watch Laura’s FREE webinars on Getting Started with writing a children’s book!
Let’s talk about publishing, because wow — what a rollercoaster.
When I first decided to publish my book, I went with a hybrid publisher. I thought that was the safest choice for a first-time author. Sadly, the owner of the company went bankrupt, and I lost money, time, and thought my dream was over.
It was devastating. But it also became my greatest teacher.
I realised that no matter who you publish with, you are still the one who has to market, promote, and sell your story. I started diving in, learning everything I could about the world of self-publishing.
*In my experience, anyway!
Pro’s –
✔️ Total control — every choice, every timeline, every creative decision is mine. It’s empowering and deeply rewarding.
Con’s –
✖️ The financial outlay upfront, and the steep learning curve. But honestly, you invest money either way — and at least with self-publishing, I had control and ownership.
The first time I held my book, I wasn’t just holding paper and ink — I was holding hope. I did it.
On 15 January, 2025 at 6:32 p.m., standing at the Port of Brisbane, there it was — the pallet of books. My books. My dream stacked high and waiting to be held. The moment felt surreal. Finally holding in my hands what I’d only dared to imagine. After everything I’d been through, it wasn’t just my victory — it was a shared triumph for every author who had faced the same heartbreak and refused to give up.
This journey has taught me so much — not just about publishing, but about resilience.
I learned that…
✨ I’m stronger than I thought.
✨ Healing can look like writing, walking dogs, or starting something new when life feels broken.
✨ You’re never too old to begin again.
From an idea to holding my book took around two years. Along the way, I’ve had some amazing moments — hearing children read parts of my story aloud during school visits, teaching them a bit of sign language, and watching their eyes light up when they meet Daisy-Anne and Mickey. That’s the real reward.
I’ll be teaching two days a week at Youth Justice in 2026 and spending the rest of my time helping humans heal with the support of my two therapy dogs.
There are more books in the pipeline. My next children’s story, Where Have Daisy and Mickey Been?, is already in the editing stage. I’m also dreaming of writing a more personal book called Just Get Through Today, inspired by my lived experience of trauma and resilience — something to bring hope to others walking through their dark days.
You can find Walk a Week With Us in School through Gold Coast Libraries or order it from my website: www.passionwithpaws.com.au. There’s also fun merchandise like finger puppets to make reading interactive.
Every book sold gets a FREE Dog Bandana.
If you’re an aspiring author reading this, here’s my advice — it won’t happen overnight.
There’s a whole process to getting published… but how do you even start that journey? DM me for my tips to publishing.
Life has taught me a few mottos that I try to live by. I wrote the following quote:
If you can’t see the sunshine, find someone to sit with you in the rain.
-Kimberley Jane
Find your people. Find your passion. Find your purpose.
People + Passion + Purpose = a reason to get out of bed in the morning. And if today is too much, promise yourself one small thing: just get through today.
I didn’t plan to become an author. I didn’t plan to become a therapy dog handler. But healing can be surprising. If you’re reading this on the couch and thinking about a small beginning, remember — be crazy enough to try. The Lotus blooms from the thickest mud. You’re never too old to start.
I’m proof of that.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission.
Kimberley Jane is a Gold Coast-based educator, nationally accredited therapy dog handler, and most recently – the author of Walk a Week With Us in School.
After navigating challenging personal experiences, she found healing and purpose through her therapy dogs, Daisy-Anne & Mickey. Together, these dogs now also bring comfort, calm, and connection to schools and hospitals too. In her article below, you will learn about Kimberley’s rocky start to publishing dealings with a dodgy ‘hybrid publisher’, but first…
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
Peepo! by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
If you’re interested in sharing your self-publishing story for our Indie Author Diaries blog series, get in touch today!
Share this article:
Kasey Rainbow is an Australian Author and Artist who has collaborated with many well known brands including; Peter Alexander, Maxwell & Williams, Nakie, officeworks and even Lego! Ultimately – Kasey contributes a large part of this professional success all from her having a go at self-publishing a children’s book back in 2017. This is when she truly put not only her art but also herself out there.
A short list of great books that help prepare children for their first day of school written by Sarah (Librarian & Primary School Teacher) and Emily (a Mum with a Preppy Starting School in 2026).
Kimberley Jane is an author from the gold-coast who has written a unique book about therapy dogs. Kimberley discusses the pro’s & con’s of self-publishing and how hybrid publishing almost ruined her.
