Former Townsville chaser loving life in retirement

By Jordan Gerrans

Tackleberry was a top chaser in Townsville during his racing days but his greatest victories have been saved for retirement on the Northern Rivers of New South Wales.

After running in his last North Queensland race in April of 2023, Tackleberry has retired to Coffs Harbour where he is an assistance dog and companion to Connor Bryant.

Bryant has been in a wheelchair for the last five years after suffering a workplace accident which led him to develop a condition that is similar to multiple sclerosis.

Tackleberry – or Loki as he is known – was prepared by the Wooler kennel in North Queensland.

The Woolers’ – led by the mother-and-daughter team of Hayley and Jo – worked extensively to ensure they were placing Loki in the right position to excel in his post-racing life.

“Since getting Loki from Jo, I am kicking myself that I didn’t get a dog sooner, if I am being honest,” Bryant said.

Bryant reached out to the Woolers with the aim of starting the process of acquiring a former race dog as a companion and assistance dog for his everyday life when he gets around in his wheelchair.

As Jo details, it was not a straightforward procedure as the NQ kennel were desperate to see their chaser land on his feet in retirement.  

“Loki’s nature suggested he would be a perfect fit as Loki himself was a fantastic kennel dog for us, he was well-behaved and he delivered on everything you asked of him,” Jo said.

“I discussed this at length with Connor as he is a big dog for a racing greyhound.

“Loki had to be trained to be an assistance dog so I spoke with the lady who was training him for quite a while to ensure it was the right fit.

“It was a well-balanced decision to send him down. It was fantastic to see the initial delivery and then for him to settle in and go through his training.

“You need to have the right kind of dog.”

From 64 career starts racing under the name Tackleberry, the blue dog won eight events and was placed on 19 other occasions.

Townsville’s Showgrounds track was arguably where Tackleberry was at his best, winning four times over the 380 metre journey as well as running in the money nine more times.

“He was a great race dog for us,” Hayley said.

Like he did on the racetrack, Loki took to his new role like a duck to water.

“He has been the absolute best as my service dog now,” Bryant said.

“He goes with me everywhere, there is no complaints. I do not need to worry about him yanking me sideways in my wheelchair when he sees another animal.

“Once he has his coat on, he goes from being a puppy dog to being in work mode – he carries it with no complaints.”

North Queenslander Jo Wooler was rewarded with the coveted Queensland Racing Integrity Commission Welfare Award at the 2020 Queensland Greyhound awards.

The family have a long-standing history of rehoming their dogs and take great pride in ensuring their former chasers thrive in retirement.

Jo says Loki's new role is the third time she has rehomed a greyhound that has become a therapy or assistance dog.

“We have stayed in contact with Connor and we love to see how they are going in their retirement,” Jo said.

“It has been quite positive to see him adjust to his new role as an assistance dog.

“It sheds a different kind of light on greyhounds as assistance dogs and it is great to see how versatile they can be in retirement.

“Lots of dogs love to spend time on the couch or going for walks with their new owners but for Loki to do something like this, it is very meaningful.”

Since picking up Loki, Bryant says he sees former greyhounds everywhere he goes on the Northern Rivers.

“There is quite a few greyhounds up my way where I am based,” Bryant said.

April is National Greyhound Adoption Month and Racing Queensland will highlight a number of former race dogs thriving in retirement throughout the month.

In celebration of Greyhound Adoption Month, Queensland’s Greyhound Adoption Program next upcoming event in South East Queensland is Homeward Hounds on Saturday, 12 April at Albion Park Harness Racing Club from 9am.  

Click here to meet greyhounds available for adoption and apply to adopt online.