Meet Lola (Kinetic Flyer). She's a very special hound embarking on an amazing journey to become a therapy dog. We will follow her progress through her training and keep you updated on how she's doing. I was lucky enough to meet her yesterday and in the 30 minutes I spent with her watching her play and giving her cuddles she made me smile and warmed the soul.
She is certainly a very special girl and whilst there are no guarantees she will be successful through the programme I can guarantee she will make a lot of people smile and will be a great ambassador for greyhounds in the process.
Keith Coppins from Greyhound Racing NZ tells us how she started on this journey€¦
"GRNZ has been working closely with Melanie Donne from the KFAAA (Kotuku Foundation Assistance Animals Aotearoa) in finding other careers for retired racing Greyhounds for example being used as medical response dogs, assistance dogs or therapy dogs. With the help of Jacqui Eyley (GAP Director) and Sonja and Irene from the Sanson GAP kennel we hope to find the ideal Greyhound for Melanie to train in the medical or assistance fields.
"Lola has been identified by Melanie as an ideal candidate to become a therapy dog so Lola is currently undergoing her Canine Good Citizen certificate with GAP foster carer Rebecca Conole, before hopefully moving to Wanganui (or very nearby) to help the Women's Refuge and KFAAA with their pilot therapy programme in Wanganui. The future definitely looks bright for potential new career choices for retired Greyhounds and working with Melanie has been very refreshing.€