A greyhound enthusiast who has dedicated her life to racing and finding retired athletes their perfect forever home since leaving school has scooped a major national award.
Shannon Brown has been named as the Greyhound Board of Great Britain’s Kennelhand of the Year in recognition of her contribution to licensed greyhound racing and love for the breed.
The 20-year-old from Morpeth has worked full-time for her father – Paul Rutherford – since leaving school shortly after the pandemic and is part of a team which cares for up to 40 racing greyhounds attached to Newcastle Stadium.
Shannon is also responsible for comprehensive daily care routines for each greyhound – such as grooming, nail clipping, teeth cleaning, exercise and play – and racing duties.
New owners
She also homes greyhounds when their racing careers end, by matching up ex-racers with new owners who would suit their lifestyle.
It’s the third time a kennel hand from the north-east has won the award in as many years, with Chloe Hardy (2023) and Kaitlyn Linley (2024) the previous two winners. Shannon was overwhelmed when learning the news.
“I have no idea who put my name forward, it was a huge surprise,” said Shannon.
“Greyhounds, and greyhound racing, are everything to me.
“A lot of people my age choose to go to university, but I want to be with the greyhounds 24-7. It’s my life, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Change for good
“The sport has gone through so much change for good in recent years, and my plan is very much to continue working with my dad who’s been a great supporter and person to learn from.
“It’s long hours and hard graft being a kennel hand, but the dogs themselves and moments like this make it all worth it – it’s a way of life, not a job.”
Shannon’s role has seen her travel across England to tracks including Nottingham, Sheffield and Sunderland to race greyhounds she cares for.
But it was at her local track – Newcastle – where she paraded her first winner, a greyhound named Aislings Azza, who ran her final race before retirement in July.
Significant investment
Significant investment by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain into welfare provisions and homing means Shannon sees a bright future for the sport, which she plans on being a part of with support from her dad.
“I was taking one of our greyhounds to its forever home only hours after getting the call from the GBGB,” said Shannon.
“We get a lot of support from the team at Arena Racing Company when finding perfect homes for our greyhounds when they retire. It’s indescribable how supportive they are.
“We pride ourselves on matching up prospective new owners with a greyhound which will suit their lifestyle. And there is a greyhound out there for everyone, that I can guarantee.
“We have individuals, couples and families that have come back specifically to us to find their next retired greyhound after they’ve sadly lost their previous one through age or ill health.
“Those moments have mixed emotions of course, but we take our commitment to homing as seriously as our racing operation, which I love.”
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