By Darren Cartwright
After seven years as therapy dogs and bringing smiles to the faces of thousands of elderly folk and hospital patients, greyhounds Fly With Me and Petite Fox are retiring a second time.
The two former chasers and Ekka greyhound Best on Show champions have just turned the ripe old age of 12.
Their volunteer meet and greets, as Delta Therapy Dogs visiting nursing homes and hospitals across South East Queensland, have drawn to a close.
Proud owner and volunteer Kelly Anderson said her veteran greyhounds have helped changed the perception of the breed as purely race dogs.
Their placid, obedient and slightly laconic nature has overwhelmed many of those who had never interacted with a racing greyhound in their post-career life, she said.
“The perception of them as pets is changing,” said Kelly, pictured with Fly With Me and Petite Fox (far right).
“They visited nursing homes and hospitals and they also visited workplaces, and everyone loved them.
“People come to understand their beautiful nature and one elderly man teared up when he met them.
“He said he used to train greyhounds.”
Petite Fox, whose pet name is Squishy, won 10 of her 59 starts before retiring in March 2016.
She won Ekka Greyhound Sweepstakes as Best of Breed Entire in August which was also her last appearance at the Show.
Fly With Me, who is called Clarkie, won his first and only race on debut before retiring after 16 starts.
He also won top honours at Ekka Greyhound Sweepstakes.
“They have both been Delta Therapy dogs for seven years and have nursing homes, hospitals and they also visited workplaces, but they are now retiring,” Kelly said.
“Last year they were doing PCYC school and before that, they were down at Acacia Ridge nursing home.”
Waiting in the wings to replace the pair is Jazzy, the unraced daughter of Petite Fox, pictured winning Best Of Breed at Ekka.
However, she will need to be assessed and properly schooled before taking over the mantle as a greyhound therapy dog, said Kelly.
“Squishy’s daughter, who never raced, will take her spot when she reaches two years of age,” Kelly said.
“They must do a course and have an assessment before becoming a Delta Therapy dog.
“You don’t drop the lead, can’t use halters because of fragile fingers that you don’t want to get caught in them.
“They have to be well behaved, and they are not allowed to jump.
“There are regulations but it’s not hard and the only thing they don’t have to do is sit, as greyhounds don’t sit.”
She said greyhounds for too long have been “misjudged” because most people see them for the first time with a muzzle or racing and they have so much to offer as adoring pets.
“They are misjudged and being a therapy dog has given them a wonderful purpose after racing and has given me a lot of enjoyment as well,” she said.
“People say they are couch dogs, and they are, but they also do like a regular change of scenery, and it stimulates their mind.”