Retired Greyhounds Bring Happiness

In the past several years, articles have appeared that show Greyhounds in a very positive light - as therapy dogs.  Articles have told of Greyhounds helping autistic youth, helping veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and learning American Sign Language (ASL) to work with deaf children. It is a testament to the breed’s sweet temperament, intelligence, and their desire to work which proves that Greyhounds can be excellent therapy dogs, visiting hospitals, seniors’ care homes, and other facilities, where their long legs make them just the right size to lay a head on a hospital bed or nudge a hand.

In March 2012, I read an article by Stan Pawloski titled, Retired Greyhound Brings Happiness to Autistic Youth & Family. The article was very well written and it highlighted the Hagmaier family and their adoption of Iruska Opal. Here's an excerpt from the article...

Nearly a year ago, the Hagmaier family walked into a Pittsburgh area adoption kennel for retired greyhounds. It was love at first sight. The Hagmaiers -- Jeff, Shelley and son Mike -- saw several greyhounds during their visit but none of them caught their eye like Iruska Opal.  “We saw her last, but she made a big impression on all of us. On the way home, we talked about all the dogs but Opal stood out for us,” Shelley Hagmaier said. “The next morning we called the kennel to let them know of our decision to adopt Opal.”  No one was more excited about adding Opal to the family than 11-year-old Mike. “Mike is a high functioning autistic – Asperger’s Syndrome. He is gifted with a brain for details,” Shelley said. “He remembered the fact Opal had black freckles.”

The Hagmaier's son, Michael, has Asperger's Syndrome - an autistic disorder. To everyone's delight, Mike and Opal hit it off immediately.  They connected. As a result of that connection, Mike helped implement a policy for the dog’s safety and protection and Opal has helped form a bridge between Mike and the outside world.

Hero in Uniform - photo courtesy of PBKC

The most recent article was read just today in the Palm Beach Post News. Published on Memorial Day weekend, May 25th, it is titled, Retired Kennel Club Greyhound Will Help Veteran of Afghanistan Adjust to Society.  


It's a heart warming article that talks about a coordinated effort between Greyhound Pets of America - Florida Southeast Coast, Palm Beach Kennel Club, and Service Dogs 4 Servicemen, Inc (SD4SM).  The founder of SD4SM, Sara Donadei-Blood, said greyhounds are the perfect breed for service dogs. She was inspired to pair retired racing greyhounds with veterans after watching how helpful they were for her grandfather, a retired World War II veteran, while growing up.

Ms. Donadei-Blood said. "They're perfect because they're so calm."

One person commented on the article, Eric_NM.  It is suspected that Eric_NM may be the Grey2K board member, Eric Jackson, who is a Psychology lecturer at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.  If it is NOT Eric Jackson, we extend our apologies.  The quote is

"Once again we hear about greyhounds forced into servitude. First by the racing industry, now by some lonely "ptsd" suffering soldier."

Nice to know what a cowardly person thinks about our servicemen, those men & women, husbands & wives, fathers & mothers... those servicemen who have put their lives on the line for this country and of whom many thousands paid the ultimate sacrifice. I'm guessing that this person, more than likely, never put on a uniform or served anyone other than themselves.  This disdain is an affront to ALL servicemen & women and it should NEVER be tolerated!


Greyhounds as service dogs are a win-win situation for all concerned - most especially the dogs.  However, the racing greyhound naysayers...  the Grey2K USA trolls... are condemning this outstanding effort.  They really have no soul... no heart... no compassion.  They are beyond clueless...  they are mean spirited and evil.

Here are some additional links to articles on Greyhounds as Service Dogs, including providing a life saving service to other dogs - as blood donors.

Service Dogs 4 Servicemen, Sept 2011

Purple Heart Greyhound Service Dogs

Hounds 4 Heros

Bighorn Assistance Dogs

Balto - Colorado Greyhound Adoption

Canine Blood Donors

Other Matters - The missing Schedule O 
According to IRS regulations if you answer NO to Part VI, Section A. Line 8 on the 990 you are to explain the NO on Schedule O. GREY2K USA’s 2010 990 form, Part VI, Section A. Line 8

8. Did the organization contemporaneously document the meetings held or written actions undertaken during the year by the following?”

A) The governing body
B) Each committee with authority to act on behalf of the governing body.

GREY2K USA’s answer – NO.  

Yes, they answered, "NO".  Yet, I can find no explanation of the NO on Schedule O, as required. The copy of the 990 form, which is available on GREY2K USA’s website, is missing the REQUIRED Schedule O.  Of course, this only raises questions such as,

Why no minutes?  

Why is the Schedule O hidden from public inspection on the GREY2K USA website?

Please write your Congressmen and respectfully request that Grey2K USA lose its tax-exempt status for offenses such as the missing IRS forms.

Yours in greyhounds....