The threat of rain and a chilly breeze did not deter the Lane family as members welcomed Virginia, an ex-racing greyhound into their home and hearts.
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Not only is the pooch special to the Lane family, but also the Greyhound Adoption Program and Corrections Victoria — she is the 500th greyhound to graduate through the pet prison program at Dhurringile prison.
Celebrating the milestone on Wednesday, a large crowd gathered at the prison to acknowledge the achievement, including prisoners who have been involved in caring for the greyhounds.
Greyhound Racing Victoria’s rehoming manager Sean Stanton said the program has been a rewarding and effective initiative.
‘‘Foster care is an integral part of the GAP adoption process with hundreds of our greyhounds going out to foster care each year,’’ he said.
‘‘The program has gone from strength to strength and it is great to see how passionate both the inmates and staff are in helping get these greyhounds ready for adoption.
‘‘It is not only the dogs who benefit from the foster care process as the inmates also thrive on the opportunity to have a four-legged companion.’’
The program started at Dhurringile prison in September 2007 with two greyhounds, Titch and Scruffy.
Present at the first inaugural meeting of the program, Dhurringile prison supervisor Roger Jorgensen said the program has continued to grow during the years.
‘‘Boy, what a journey this has been,’’ he said.
Mr Jorgensen said the first greyhounds arrived with much fanfare, as it was ‘‘very unusual to see a prisoner walking a dog’’.
‘‘The prisoners have sometimes never had to look after anyone but themselves.’’
At any one time, the prison will host four greyhounds for a period of four weeks.
Mr Jorgensen said the prisoners are responsible for letting the dogs out in the morning, as well as socialisation, to make sure they learn the basics, before they are ready for adoption.
‘‘It’s so they’ve got a good idea of what it’s like to be a family pet,’’ he said.
Travelling from south-east Melbourne for the occasion, Shirley Lane and her two daughters Milly, 12 and CJ, 8, were excited to finally pick up their new dog.
‘‘It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions,’’ Ms Lane said.
‘‘We’ve been waiting over a month.’’
Ms Lane said the family had been busy preparing their home for the new arrival, organising toys and sleeping arrangements.
Fostering was an important part of the Lane family, having been been involved with the Greyhound Adoption Program and RSPCA for years.
They are also involved in child fostering.
Although Ms Lane said fostering had been a great experience for her children, she was looking forward to welcoming Virginia into the family.
‘‘I wanted them (Milly and CJ) to learn a healthy sense of permanence,’ Ms Lane said.
‘‘I wanted to make sure their well being was looked after.’’
Originally thinking of calling their new family member ‘Vicki’, the Lane family has now decided to call her ‘Ginny’, the nickname given to her by the prisoners.
‘‘We are very blessed and fortunate,’’ Ms Lane said.
She said the family would continue its fostering work once Ginny had settled in to the home.
Ginny and her kennel friends Sally, Happy and Midget all left the prison on Wednesday and four new greyhounds settled in their places, ready for training.
To learn more about the Greyhound Adoption Program, visit gap.grv.org.au or contact 5799 0166.
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