PRISON GREYHOUND PROGRAM CELEBRATES 500TH FOSTER GRADUATE

[Wandering Eyes]

Victoria’s Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) has reached a milestone with the 500^th rehomed dog successfully completing foster care at the State’s HM Tarrengower Prison in Victoria’s Goldfields region.

The 500^th milestone reinforces the success of the GAP-Corrections Victoria Prison Pet Partnership program which sees up to four foster dogs at a time being placed within the prison system in preparation for their forever home.

The program, which started in 2009 allows inmates to play a vital role in socialising greyhounds and preparing them ready for adoption. This includes familiarising them with stairs, walking on a lead, noisy household appliances such as vacuum cleaners, washing machines and televisions and getting comfortable on the couch.

Greyhound Racing Victoria Chief Executive Officer, Alan Clayton, said the prison partnership had become a key part of GAP’s foster care program.

“As the prison partnership foster program enters its 14^th year, it continues to be an integral part of the State’s Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) and GRV’s commitment to community engagement,” he said.

“With hundreds of our greyhounds socialised through foster care each year, many through the prison system, the program has proved to be a rewarding experience for both carers and the foster greyhounds.”

The prison program has gone from strength to strength since its inception and both inmates and staff are passionate in helping get these greyhounds ready for adoption. GAP usually has up to four greyhounds in the program at any one time, with each greyhound completing four weeks in foster care.

It is not only the dogs who benefit from the foster care process, with the inmates also thriving on a newfound connection, friendship and sense of responsibility with the greyhounds.

Being part of the GAP Foster Care Team is a rewarding experience and is a great way to get to know and understand greyhounds as pets. To find out more about the GAP Foster Care Program visit https://gap.grv.org.au/volunteering/foster-care.

William Dodson (Supervisor of the Greyhound Adoption Program, Tarrengower Prison), Alan Clayton (GRV CEO), Hon. Natalie Hutchins (Minister for Corrections), & Maree Edwards (State Member for Bendigo West).

Hon. Natalie Hutchins (Minister for Corrections) & Maree Edwards (State Member for Bendigo West).

Alan Clayton (GRV CEO), William Dodson (Supervisor of the Greyhound Adoption Program, Tarrengower Prison), Maree Edwards (State Member for Bendigo West) & Hon. Natalie Hutchins (Minister for Corrections)

Imates from Tarrengower who trained greyhounds for adoption

Inmante Janet from Tarrengower with Natalie who she trained.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Corrections Natalie Hutchins
“Rehabilitation and reintegration programs play a vital role in helping to break the cycle of re-offending, and programs like this provide prisoners with new skills and a sense of pride.”
“It has been great to see the bond between the prisoners and the greyhounds today. The dogs will now prosper as pets thanks to the Greyhound Adoption Program and the women who have been so dedicated to training them.”

Quote attributable to Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards
“Thank you to all of the staff who have worked tirelessly through the pandemic to bring the benefits of greyhound rehabilitation to Victoria through this program.”

Quotes attributable to prisoner *Janet
“Working in the GAP team at Tarrengower has increased my communication skills and resilience. We all work together to achieve a common goal- retraining Greyhounds to be adopted in the wider community.”

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