Greyhound Pets of America-Privacy Policy

March 17,2004

State, The (Columbia, SC)

March 17, 2004
Section: METRO/REGION
Edition: FINAL
Page: B1

GREYHOUNDS DO HARD TIME
J.R. GONZALES, Staff Writer

Over the last year and a half, more and more retired greyhounds have been ending up in prison in South Carolina.

And that's a good thing, many say.

Since October 2002, inmates at the Camille Griffin Graham Correctional Institution in Columbia have taken more than 60 retired greyhounds under their wings for training.

Think Birdman of Alcatraz, but with dogs. The 17 female inmates keep six greyhounds with them around the clock for a few weeks until the pets are adopted.

Kansas, New Jersey and Ohio have similar programs, but only South Carolina has female inmates doing the training.

"They've gone beyond the actual sit down and stay," said Dawn O'Cain, a professional dog trainer and Department of Corrections employee.

Once a week, for about an hour, O'Cain and the inmate dog handlers go over obedience training techniques to help the dogs adjust to a domestic setting.

During a Thursday session, the inmates listened intently to O'Cain, while gently petting the greyhounds.

Although the greyhounds have proven they can sprint, walking on a vinyl floor is another story.

"Carlos, come!" said one inmate from across a classroom Thursday.

Carlos stood up and hesitated for a few seconds. Then he started his wobbly trot to the inmate on the other side of the room, looking like a newborn calf that is just starting to walk.

The other women in the room clapped and laughed in joy.

"These dogs have never in their whole lifetime seen a vinyl floor," O'Cain said.

The training comes at no cost to the cash-strapped corrections department.

Muzzles, collars, leashes and food used to train the dogs are provided by Greyhound Pets of America-South Carolina, said Debbie Cone, the group's secretary.

"We make it a point that every dog (the group gets) sees some prison time," Cone said.

That has created a demand for the incarcerated dogs, she said. Most potential owners do not have the time or money to train their dogs.

The inmates in the program are serving sentences for offenses that range from writing bad checks to murder. Some are serving life sentences.

The program tends to keep the inmates in line.

Should one slip up, there are about 30 inmates on a waiting list to start training the greyhounds.

"They don't want to get in trouble," said prison warden Judy Anderson. "They don't want to lose the dog."

Many inmates said the training program has taught them self-confidence and patience. (The Department of Corrections prohibits inmates from being directly identified by the media.)

By training the dogs, the women are also nurturing an interest in careers such as grooming, obedience training and veterinary work once they are released.

"I want to do this when I get out," one inmate said.

Reach Gonzales at (803) 771-8405 or jgonzales@thestate.com.

INTERESTED?

If you decide to adopt an inmate-trained greyhound, be prepared to go through a two-month application process with Greyhound Pets of America- South Carolina. Applicants are required to fill out a four-page application. Group members will visit your home with greyhounds during the process.

Some other things to consider:

* Greyhounds are indoor dogs. With little body fat, they tend to hate exposure to the elements.

* Despite their ability to sprint around racetracks, greyhounds do not have high energy levels.

* Greyhounds are not protective either, so do not expect one to guard your property.

Applying does not guarantee a dog. For more information, contact Debbie Cone at (803) 749-3174 or http://www.gpa-sc.com.

SOURCE: Debbie Cone, Greyhound Pets of America-South Carolina

REASONS TO HAVE A PET

The Delta Society, a pet advocacy organization, compiled the following research conclusions on the benefits of pet ownership:

* Pet owners have lower blood pressure.

* Pet owners have fewer minor health problems.

* Pet owners have better psychological well-being.

* Pet owners have better physical health because of exercise with their pets.

* Dogs are preventive and therapeutic measures against everyday stress.

* Pets decrease feelings of loneliness and isolation.

* Pets fulfill many of the same support functions as humans for adults and children.

Illustration:PHOTO: COLOR

1. Two greyhounds relax on the floor at the Camille Griffin Graham Correctional Institution as the female inmates who train them for adoption listen to the instructor during a weekly session. PHOTOGRAPHS BY TAKAAKI IWABU/THE STATE

2. O'Cain

3. Retired racing greyhounds preparing for new lives as pets are trained by inmates in a women's prison.