GAP partners with Police Veterans Victoria

The word is out about what wonderful pets greyhounds make, and GAP, an arm of Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV), plays a huge role in this by preparing greyhounds that are no longer suitable for racing for life as a family pet.

Partnering with PVV will allow GAP to tap into a new community of people which will enhance the lives of police veterans and lead to more greyhounds being adopted into loving families.

PVV CEO David McGowan said it is common for veterans to experience a range of mental health issues once they retire from the police force including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression.

PVV provides support to police veterans and their families through a range of initiatives including the Veteran Peer Support program, with referrals consistently up around 500 per cent year on year.

The PVV’s new partnership with GAP is aimed at helping police veterans who are feeling a loss of purpose to reconnect with the community and to bond with the adorable greyhound breed.

“PVV is thrilled to be partnering with GRV, with a shared aim of enriching the lives of our veterans as much as possible,” Mr McGowan said.

“This collaboration marks an exciting milestone for both our organisations as it opens up a world of exclusive benefits and opportunities for our esteemed members; from the GAP adoption program, to rewarding volunteer work.

“I have no doubt our members will find our partnership with the GAP highly rewarding.”

Police veterans will be involved in a range of activities including visits to GAP headquarters in Seymour, where they will help create experiences of enrichment for greyhounds including walking, grooming, general socialisation, basic training and building toys to help keep the dogs entertained.

Veterans will also be encouraged to become foster carers, to help greyhounds become accustomed to life as a domestic pet before they are adopted into their forever homes.

GRV CEO Stuart Laing said he was delighted to join forces with PVV.

“It’s great to be working with Police Veterans Victoria who do some amazing work for our first-line responders,” Mr Laing said.

The greyhound breed is set to enhance the lives of police veterans, who will partake in foster care, adoption and helping provide experiences of enrichment for retired race dogs.

“We’re excited about the opportunities this new partnership will bring. Greyhounds make amazing pets and are wonderful companions. They’re chilled, they don’t need a lot of exercise and are extremely docile.

“It can initially be quite challenging for greyhounds to make the transition to life as a domestic pet given they are raised on a farm before becoming professional athletes.

“We’d love to see some of our lovely greyhounds in the homes of a few of our police veterans. There’s the option of adopting a greyhound as a pet or becoming a foster carer, where they take the dogs for 3-4 weeks and get them used to new experiences such as climbing up and down stairs, noisy household appliances and meeting other dog breeds.

“The foster care process is extremely rewarding and an important phase of a greyhound’s life.”

Both GAP and the PVV are not-for-profit organisations.

GAP Victoria, which started in 1996, has found loving homes for thousands of retired greyhounds, has around 100 foster carers at any given time and is the biggest greyhound rehoming agency in the world.

To learn more about the Greyhound Adoption Program please click here

PVV was founded in 2019 and has over 4,600 members, four employees and 60 volunteers. PVV provides a range of services including responding to requests for support from police and veterans and their families; developing a member rewards program and other benefits to acknowledge veterans’ service; advocating for the wellbeing needs of police and PSO veterans; and developing support programs to help keep veterans and their families fit, happy and healthy.

To learn more about Police Veterans Victoria, please click here