and arranges veterinary care and rehabilitation for them. When the dogs are healthy again, they are moved into foster homes while awaiting their forever placements.

AGC spokesperson Gary Guccione said Monica exemplifies the special qualities that all GAPY winners seem to share.

“Monica has earned our sincere respect and appreciation for her extraordinary work,” Guccione said. “And she gets the job done with an all-volunteer organization that devotes 100 percent of its revenue to providing direct services to greyhounds. Her organization may be small but that is a huge accomplishment.”

Guccione said transporting greyhounds is an important contribution to the adoption cause. In Florida, where many tracks are located, the supply of retired racers sometimes overwhelms local adoption groups. As a result, some greyhounds have to wait months to be placed in adoptive homes. Moving retired racers into non-racing areas opens up new opportunities for adoption and relieves some of the pressure on the Florida adoption network, he said.

According to Smith, that’s the point. “We are dedicated to doing everything possible to reduce this wait time and allow these dogs to have a good life as a pet as soon as possible after their racing career ends,” she said.

The GAPY Award will be presented on Monday, February 9 at the spring conference of the AGC and the American Greyhound Track Operators Association (AGTOA). In addition to an expense-paid trip to the event, Smith will receive a $500 donation for her favorite adoption group.