Laura Pike as her vision of herself if she were a greyhound.

Laura is foster coordinator for Buffalo Greyhound Adoption

My Week as a Kennel Helper

By: Laura Pike

As a volunteer in the Greyhound Adoption Community for nearly nine years, continuing my own education along with teaching others is not only necessary but also it is a part of surviving. My desire to work as a helper in a race kennel “to learn more” was about to come true.

Would people consider an adoption person working in a race kennel be a conflict of interest? Not if the focus remained the greyhounds. Anyone presented with the rare opportunity to “walk in someone else’s shoes” would be remiss not to do so with an open mind.

So wearing my old jeans and long sleeved t-shirt, tiara secured on my head, I arrived at Raynham Taunton Dog Track in Massachusetts. My timing (for once) was right on following behind one of the trainers I would be working with.

It was 6:00 AM that June morning, and with confidence and a smile, I stepped out of my van and walked up to Trainers Glen ‘Tank’ Atkinson and Jeanne Perry. I was greeted in kind and followed them through the gate into Anthony Napolitano’s Kennel.

How exciting to hear the greyhounds barking and anxiously waiting to be turned out. We set our belongings down in the kitchen area and closed the gate. Tank warned me that the dogs would jump on me. I smiled and told him I was ready.

Positioning myself out in the area next to the turnout, forty plus muzzled girls came out with a frenzy jumping and rubbing up next to me. So much for being ready! It was truly fun, and the more I laughed the more they jumped. After a few minutes Tank came out and corralled the ladies into their turnout.

Next were the boys, same story only they were bigger and stronger. Okay, now the thought crossed my mind to tell them “if you were a foster dog I would not allow this behavior”. But they were racers, not foster dogs. The Princess just learned where her place was in this pack.

Over the next few days the routine of turning the dogs out and then crating them became easier and was truly enjoyable. I learned daily tasks like cleaning crates and feeding. I was allowed to try everything. Jeanne and Tank were incredibly patient teachers explaining all aspects of daily care of the racers. Watching them work as a team to care for the dogs was nothing short of amazing.

My favorite tasks included two very different things. The first was placing the newly shredded paper into the crates. Often the greyhounds would help pull the paper into their crates, and give kisses or stand for petting. It was a great opportunity to actually chat with them one on one. Now I am not sure who found the chatting more amusing, the racers or Tank.

Another favorite task was the unofficial schooling. We would gather on the track with folks and greyhounds from the other kennels. Each would have an opportunity to hand slip the dogs (vs. coming out of the box) and they would chase the lure. While holding the greyhound’s collar you could feel the anticipation and excitement in the dogs. There is no doubt that the greyhounds wanted to run after the lure.

My least favorite task was sweeping the floors, all I could think was gosh where is a Hoover when you need it? The challenging task was trying to weigh the greyhounds. They probably gained a pound from the biscuits I fed while trying to get them to stand still and stop wagging their tail.

The task I feared most was mixing up the feed. Being a lady who likes to order her food “well done”, putting my arms in the raw meat was something to see. Note to self, need longer rubber gloves next time.

What did the greyhounds think of me? They were a bit concerned that despite having their names written on their muzzles, their collars and above their crates that I was a bit slow locating their crates. They thought be standing directly in front of their crate would make things easier. I did finally realize that they want to go out first, chat and pet later.

What is important to understand is that working with the greyhounds requires long hours, dedication and patience. It is not a job, but a lifestyle. The reward for this lifestyle is being with the greyhounds all day.

As the end of the internship got closer, questions about my experience came from track personnel. Everyone had been so courteous and helpful. Even if my responses were brief, I hope they noticed my smile. The thought of having to say goodbye to Jeanne, Tank and the greyhounds was difficult.

This experience taught me many things. Having a better understanding of the racing life has given me some ideas that I hope to implement into fostering in order to make the transition from racer to retired a bit easier on the greyhounds.

Anyone that works with greyhounds, whether it is in racing or adoption is driven by passion. If you do not love the breed you should not be involved in any of it. First and foremost, it is about the greyhounds. I encourage everyone to remain open minded, and continue to improve communications with one another.