In The Call Of Duty: Retirees To Call USA Home

Greyhound Racing NSW and Greyhounds Australasia have signed a deal with the organisation representing almost 370,000 police officers across the US to immediately begin shipping the retired racers.

US Fraternal Order of Police National (FOP) President, Mr Patrick Yoes said the arrangement would benefit both traumatised police officers and dogs who would find loving homes.

"The men and women of our law enforcement agencies here in the United States are regularly exposed to some harrowing and traumatic incidents and scenes in their course of performing their duty," Mr Yoes said.

"This naturally has a significant impact on their mental health, and sadly we see a large number of our members suffering from mental health conditions such as PTSD and acute stress disorder," he said.

Mr Yoes said companion animals were found to have offered enormous support to the mental health of those men and women traumatised in the course of duty.

"Therapy animals have been proven to have a dramatic, positive effect on people in these situations, and the case studies from the Australian programs show the impact they have had on police who have suffered from PTSD and similar disorders.

He said the deal would "not only see our members benefit, but also these wonderful animals will enter loving homes."

Greyhound Racing NSW chief executive Rob Macaulay said the arrangement builds on a similar set up in Australia to supply retired greyhounds to the Australian Federal Police Association and Police Association of NSW.

He said the opportunity to rehouse Australian greyhounds in the US came after Australian officials accepted an offer from Greyhound Pets of America to visit because it had a huge waiting list for greyhounds.

"A contingent made the trip, saw the quality of care and the professionalism of these US agencies, and entered into a partnership, extending another adoption network, and helping to meet the demand of Americans looking for a loving greyhound as a pet," he said.

"Now thanks to Patrick and his organisation, we are essentially joining the best parts of two programs, which will see US policemen and women benefit from our greyhounds in the same way our frontline responders are seeing at home in Australia."