Therapy greyhound changing lives in regional Queensland

By Jordan Gerrans

Former chaser Granny's Poor was a two-time winner in Central Queensland, but the retired greyhound's greatest legacy will be away from the racetrack. 

The brindle has been retired for almost 18 months after last competing in a race at Bundaberg.

Granny's Poor was prepared by the South Kolan-based Brian Terry in the later stages of her career before the veteran conditioner instigated her adoption to the family of Kaylee-Jayde Wallace and Allison Schultz.

At just six years of age, young Kaylee-Jayde has been through numerous health battles since her birth.

Kaylee-Jayde’s grandmother and guardian Allison describes it as a ‘complex medical history’ as she has gone through multiple open-heart surgeries while also being born with Down Syndrome. 

In the last month, Kaylee-Jayde and Allison have welcomed Granny's Poor into their home after an adoption process with Terry. 

Allison says she has already seen a massive improvement in Kaylee-Jayde's demeanour and attitude since ‘Ruby’ has moved in.

“We wanted companionship and we wanted Kaylee-Jayde to know that if I am not there, or one of our other family members, that Ruby will be there for her,” Allison said.

“Wherever Kaylee-Jayde is now, Ruby is with her.

“If the support worker takes Kaylee-Jayde out in the car for an appointment, when they get home, they will often lift up the door of the car and Ruby will straight away jump up near Kaylee-Jayde.

“Kaylee-Jayde can lay over her and rub her with one arm.

“It is amazing, I was only speaking to her behavioural specialist the other day and we both agreed her presence has calmed Kaylee-Jayde.

“The dog has already made a big difference in our lives.”

As Kaylee-Jayde has long battled with her health, the family had been suggested that a therapy dog may help over the years.

Allison was cautious at first but eventually came around.

“When we went to Ronald McDonald House, we would always see the Delta Therapy Dogs and one of them was a former racing greyhound,” she recalls. 

“Kaylee-Jayde absolutely loved that dog, whose name was Bella. One of our doctors from Bundaberg also had greyhounds.

“My preference when getting a dog was to get a greyhound, but we never had the opportunity to do so, until recently.”

The Terry kennel were key in the adoption process and have stayed in contact with the family in recent weeks. 

Allison says Terry and his clan have offered to look after Granny's Poor in the interim in the event that Kaylee-Jayde needs to head to Brisbane for more surgeries in the future.

When Granny's Poor first met Kaylee-Jayde, they had an instant bond.

“She just went straight to Kaylee-Jayde when she was in her wheelchair,” Allison said.

“She put her head on her lap and it was just amazing. It was an amazing connection from the start.

“I knew inside the first few days the impact she was having on Kaylee-Jayde.”

Granny's Poor won two races and was placed on six more occasions from 19 attempts.

The daughter of My Redeemer started her career in Victoria before racing in Central Queensland through 2023 and 2024. 

Racing Queensland’s Greyhound Welfare Coordinator Nicola Hardman says Granny's Poor’s transition into becoming a therapy dog is a great example of opportunities former racing greyhounds have. 

“The dog has gone to a family and is providing great comfort,” Hardman said. 

“Greyhounds are great companions and therapy dogs.

“Brian Terry deserves credit as well for rehoming his former bitch to the family and it all has worked out perfectly.”