Greyhound whisperer lauds new scheme

[Wandering Eyes]

Experienced veterinary nurse and greyhound trainer Bronwyn Welsh has commended GRV’s Desexing and Dental Scheme, which was launched in July.

GRV’s number one priority is the welfare of our greyhounds, both in the industry and in the community. And to support participant rehoming efforts, compliance with desexing requirements, and overall greyhound health in retirement, GRV launched the scheme to provide funding towards the cost of desexing and dental treatment for retired pet greyhounds.

The announcement of the scheme was music to the ears of Bronwyn, a hobby trainer in Mildura who runs a behavioural clinic for dogs with husband Greg.

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The couple have three retired litter sisters – bona-fide family members who raced as Serene Machine, Glory Fire and Prophetess – who were prime candidates for the scheme.

“We’ve had these dogs since they were pups. We kept them racing into veterans age because they really enjoy the track,” she said.

In fact, Bronwyn was so appreciative, she took it upon herself to write to GRV to express her appreciation.

“These three old girls are now over five years of age and only finished racing in the last 12 months,” she said.

“I have been involved with them since they were puppies. Their combined race record is 34 wins and 95 overall placings with $55,000 in prize money. Quite modest for some trainers but exciting for regional trainers. They’ve earned their comfy retirement and again, my thanks (to GRV) for assisting in giving them a happy, healthy retirement.”

Click HERE  to learn more about GRV’s Desexing and Dental Scheme

“Accolades to GRV coming up with these programmes.”

Bronwyn’s background in the sport goes back to her teenage years, albeit with a fairly long break in between.

“I was involved with greyhounds as a kid, about 11 or 12, helping out the secretary in some regional tracks as an office girl and got involved in training into my twenties. I fell in love with the breed, but then there was a bit of a layoff – for 38 years!”

“In the past ten years I decided to get my licence again. There’s a great photo of my 1978 winner Mr. Corvette and my 2018 winner Glory Fire. 40 years between winners!”

Glory Fire retired in 2020, but Bronwyn’s ‘Big Boy’ Black Kruger (Banjo Boy x Tahlo) – a winner of 23 races from 52 starts – keeps them attending the race meetings every couple of weeks.

“We get 80 to 100 dogs here every week for behaviour training. I love working with dogs every day as my day job, but my passion is still for the greyhounds.”

“We travel a fair way. Horsham is our closest track, and that’s about an eight hour round trip, but we do get to Shepparton, Ballarat and Bendigo but they’re overnight trips.”

“We’re just hobby trainers. I reckon there’s still a place for hobby trainers. We’re also doing a lot in the community here in Mildura. People are always asking questions about the dogs, so we get to talk about the breed and the racing quite a lot.”

Bronwyn retired from veterinary nursing two years ago to concentrate on the behavioural clinic.

“We get 80 to 100 dogs here every week for behaviour training, and I do dangerous dog assessments for NSW authorities, so the home job just grew out of proportion,” she said.

“I love working with dogs every day as my day job, but my passion is still for the greyhounds.”

Bronwyn Welsh with Glory Fire and a photo of her first winner in 1978, Mr. Corvette.

Glory Fire enjoying her retirement in the red dust of the Mallee.

Greg Welsh with litter sisters Serene Machine, Glory Fire and Prophetess, who have all benefited from the new Desexing and Dental Scheme.

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