The US Fraternal Order of Police welcomed Australian greyhound industry bosses to sign a Pacific MoU earlier this month.
Under the Pacific pet partnership, Greyhounds Australasia and Greyhound Racing NSW will immediately begin a supply channel for greyhounds to be accessed by the FOP’s members, which total more than 367,000 across 3000 local lodges nationwide.
Australian greyhounds will be specially prepared to serve as US companion animals — as PTSD dogs and pets — similar to the hugely successful programs in Australia that are under way with the Australian Federal Police Association and Police Association of NSW
The announcement was made in Washington DC by FOP national president Patrick Yoes, Greyhounds Australasia chairman Rob Vellar and GRNSW chief executive officer Rob Macaulay, who were signatories to the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations.
Mr Macaulay said the partnership with the FOP saw the marriage of two GRNSW initiatives after his organisation earlier this year began working with Greyhound Pets of America to help with a critical shortage of the dogs in the US.
“Late last year with GA we began the program with the Police Association of NSW, and only a matter of months later, the Australian Federal Police Association and their members came on board,” Mr Macaulay said.
“Around the same time, we were invited to tour the US by Greyhound Pets of America to explore another partnership, as they had a huge waiting list for greyhounds.
“Now thanks to Patrick and his organisation, we are essentially joining the best parts of two programs, which will see US policemen and women benefit from our greyhounds in the same way our frontline responders are seeing at home in Australia.”
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