The Dancing Greyhound history stretches across many states and several countries. In 1978 it was the all-breed Panama Canal Kennel Chapter Drill Team in Central America. From 1996 to 2002 it was the traveling Dancing Greyhound Drill Team covering North America. In 2003, after the second worst year of our lives, it somehow transformed into The Singing and Dancing Greyhound comedy show. Whatever it was, is, or will be, it is the only one in the world. The Girls may do some obedience moves, free-style dancing, retrieving, leaping or jumps. Also included, but never predictable, are any improvisations they may choose on the spur of the moment. This is a Greyhound show, run by Greyhounds. From the beginning, The Dancing Greyhounds have been a full-time, self-supporting, unsponsored, not-for-profit, volunteer effort to support Greyhound adoption and all-breed education, with a wide variety of public services included. They are available nine months of the year. The winter months are spent servicing the south east. The summer months, the humans do work camping in the cool mountains of Colorado to make gas bux. The Greys help with trail patrol. See the Tour Page for our present location.
Kathleen and Gil Gilley, captives of the Dancing Greyhounds, are native-born Zonians, raised in the Panama Canal Zone. Both were board members of the Club Canino de Panama and the Panama Canal Kennel Chapter.
(http://www.clubcaninopanama.org/cursos%20de%20adiestramiento.html
Check out following site, at bottom of page. All dogs were mine except Schnauzer (Marlene's). Dobe jumping belong to Gil.)
Gil was the Training Director for both clubs and Kathleen was the Registrar for all pure-bred dogs born in that country. They remained in the Panama Canal Area until the political situation became difficult. Gil retired in 1989 and America became their new location. They bought a motorhome to look around this huge continent of North America. The Gilley Greyhounds have never known any residence other than a motorhome.
In the United States, they returned to their involvement with dogs by giving performances and seminars on traveling with four-legged companions to recreational vehicle groups. For nine years, Kathleen wrote a monthly traveling with dogs column for a major motorhome travel club. The Gilleys developed programs to promote responsible dog ownership for schools and other civic groups to add to the shows. Since 1992, Greyhounds have become their dedicated breed.
The Teamers are also animal-assisted therapy dogs. They do dog safety programs for elementary schools and accept any kind of invitation as long as it is not anti-racing or animal rights connected. They do not charge for their missions. (See our Mission Page/Inviting the Girls Page.)
The Dancing Greyhounds have performed in 29 states and three Canadian provinces. They have appeared on two segments of Animal Planet and are Celebrity Dogs for the Annual Showcase of Dogs for St. Judes Children's Research Hospital and were featured in Celebrating Greyhounds magazine among others. Having performed at 18 dog tracks, they hold the world record in that respect also. They live year round in a motorhome and are fast approaching the half-million mile mark. (See their list of accomplishments on the History Page).