We all know the important emotional role that pets can play in our lives. And a new local program fills that gap by using inmates to train retired sports dogs for life after racing.

The 'Greyhounds As Pets' (GAP) program, launched recently at Wellington Correctional Centre, involves female inmates, helping train retired greyhounds for adoption in the community.

The program initially involves six ex-racing greyhounds being homed inside a special purpose-built facility at the centre, the third in NSW to roll-out the program.

Each intake of six greyhounds is spending six weeks being socialised by the inmates who provide training and care for the animals for up to seven hours per day, preparing them to transition from racing to pet life.

During the training period, inmates teach the dogs activities such as walking on a loose lead, name recognition, recall to handler, obeying directions to their bed, and laying down.

The training program not only prepares greyhounds for their next stage of life, but ensures they are the perfect fit for any home.

Greyhounds in the program who show particular potential may advance to additional training to become Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) companion animals, NSW MLC Stephen Lawrence said.

“As a former criminal lawyer, I can honestly say that this is one of the best programs that I’ve seen in a prison for engaging inmates and providing a real opportunity for diversionary therapy and to learn transferable skills,” he said.

“As an owner of two dogs, I understand the therapeutic value of a dog. The training of these greyhounds as PTSD animals will be fantastic for people needing a companion.”

The program connects retired racers to new families, while also providing meaningful opportunities to inmates who can then learn pro-social skills in domestic dog care, animal first-aid, and animal husbandry.

The Wellington Correctional Centre is the latest to partner with Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) for the program which has been a continuing success since it was launched in 2010 at Dillwynia Correctional Centre at Windsor in Sydney's north-west. It was then later introduced to the Hunter Correctional Centre, GRNSW Chief Executive Rob Macaulay said.  

“We have been informed by prison staff at the centres where the prison program has been in place, that the initiative has seen better communication with inmates due to a common interest in talking about the greyhounds,” Mr Macaulay said.  

“At GRNSW and GAP, we have known for a long-time what loving, affectionate, and placid animals greyhounds are, and what amazing pets they make, and it is no longer a well-kept secret,” he concluded.