Claire

She’s always happy for a catch up and loves to update us on her recent fur-baby, previous helper dog, Stix. Claire has come along to behaviour days, workplace visits, and adoption days to represent GAP and sing the praises of greyhounds as pets

‍What’s your name, how do you volunteer with GAP, and when did you first start volunteering with us?

Hi my name is Claire and I volunteer at the Seymour location doing enrichment activities with the dogs. I also have been involved with a few community outreach events at various locations around the state. I have been volunteering with GAP for almost 4 years.

What made you decide to become a GAP volunteer?

I have volunteered at various other animal welfare organisations in the past and when my husband and I relocated close to Seymour I signed up to the next available induction day. I was aware of GAP from having seen them at The Royal Melbourne Show many years ago, and I liked the idea of helping transition a professional athlete to becoming a retired family member.

What’s your favourite part of being a GAP volunteer?

Greyhound ears! They are so soft. It’s also great being able to get a greyhound out of their kennel and take them for a walk around the Seymour location and let them sniff and pee and enjoy the sights. It’s also great having a chat with the staff, everyone is so lovely. We also had a fabulous foster fail, not a greyhound but one of the hard working helper dogs. STIX has been a wonderful addition to our home.

What’s your best story or memory from your time volunteering with us?

Going to the community events are a lot of fun. Everyone who comes and says hello seem to have a story about someone they know have a greyhound or they own one themselves and love to tell you about them and often will show you a picture of them. It’s also great when a person who is hesitant to approach the dogs then end up standing there and rubbing those greyhound ears.

What would you say to anyone thinking of volunteering with GAP?

Volunteering at GAP will improve your mood, nothing works better than a wagging tail. You also get to connect with people of similar interests. Also the knowledge that your assisting a greyhound move towards their forever home.

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