Aged care residents delight as champion dog enters Queensland Hall of Fame
Carinity Aged Care – Karinya was delighted today with a surprise visit by two greyhounds as resident Paddy (Josephine) Fitch, 89, was honoured and inducted into the Racing Queensland Hall of Fame.
The event bolstered Carinity’s Animal Visitation Program which focuses on ensuring aged care residents continue to experience regular contact with dogs and other animals.
Paddy’s champion greyhound Dashing Corsair – or “Harry” as he was affectionately known at home – currently holds the Albion Park 710m track record despite retiring almost five years ago. He is only the tenth dog in the history of greyhound racing to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Harry won 57 races and placed 30 times for $455,000 in stakes. He is one of the few dogs to twice win Greyhound of the Year honours in Queensland. He is the only dog to ever win both the National Sprint and the National Distance events.
The ceremony included a visit by Harry’s pups Lady Corsair and Master Corsair – two champions in the making. Master Corsair was crowned Best of Breed by RNA judges at this year’s EKKA. It was an emotional meeting for Paddy and all Carinity Karinya’s residents with licks and pats all round. Master Corsair almost stole the show when a cupcake mysteriously disappeared from the party before the formal ceremony had begun. (See the Youtube video here)
Karinya Manager Annette Thurgood said it was wonderful to have Harry’s pups at the ceremony as it boosted Carinity’s Animal Visitation Program which provided enormous benefits for residents’ wellbeing.
“At Carinity Karinya we are fortunate to have our own dog Chloe who is a member of our lifestyle team. Pets assist in the prevention of loneliness and their companionship helps people feel relaxed and more importantly, loved. We also have weekly visits from the Delta Dog Association giving residents special one-to-one time,” Annette said.
Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club Vice President Les Bein presented Paddy with the award and formally inducted Harry into the Hall of Fame at Carinity Aged Care – Karinya at Laidely.
“Dashing Corsair is the only dog to ever be in three National finals. He made 18 Group finals winning five. And he was an Australian Greyhound of the Year finalist. Harry was the people’s champion. Cancer tragically took him far too young after the start of a promising stud career. No dog ever deserves to be a member of the Queensland Hall of Fame more than Dashing Corsair,” Les said.
Paddy, a university-trained biochemist and scientist who worked in laboratories in Africa and Australia, was 80 years old when she bred Harry. She has been an icon in the industry for almost a quarter of a century. She began her life in greyhounds when she retired in 1992 to a small property in Placid Hills, near Grantham, and later moved to Churchable. She made Carinity Karinya her home in March this year.
In accepting the honour, Paddy said greyhounds were “absolutely beautiful” and she urged people to look upon their nature as “gentle creatures”.
Harry retired from chasing in 2011 and passed away last year. His trainer, and Paddy’s long-time friend, Desley Williams became teary as she described Harry as her “Best Mate” and a dog that slept on her bed at night.
“Greyhounds are calm loving animals, they thrive on affection and are renowned for their gentle, trusting and sensitive nature. They are an ideal companion in the family home,” Desley said.
For media enquiries, please contact:
James Woods, Marketing Manager, Carinity
Mobile 0408 951 828
Wanda Duggan, Brand Manager, Racing Queensland
Mobile 0481 158 248
