DR. MORRIE CRAIG

PROFILE: Dr. Morrie Craig, a professor of toxicology at Oregon State’s College of Veterinary Medicine, was named Oregon Scientist of the year in 1996 by the Oregon Academy of Science. He was instrumental in writing the rules for drug testing for racing pigeons and the Iditarod sled dog race in Alaska, and has received numerous honors for his contributions to drug testing for sled dog competition.

HISTORY: Dr. Craig’s work with greyhounds began in the early 1980’s when he began researching greyhound medications with Dr. Lynda Blythe for the Oregon Racing Commission with the assistance of Multnomah Greyhound Racetrack. Many other greyhound research projects followed. Dr. Craig established the National Greyhound Association’s drug testing program for the national meets, giving credibility to the NGA’s track stake program and auctions. He chronicled detection and clearance times of legitimate medications in greyhounds in 1995 and again in 2007.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Dr. Craig’s research revealed foreign substances in the food chain resulting in positive tests that did not affect racing ability and thus sweeping changes were made in racing laws and policies in several states. He received a Special Achievement Award in 1991 from the NGA for his work in establishing the drug testing program. He was one of the authors of the textbook titled, Care of the Racing Greyhound as well as its sequel, Care of the Racing and Retired Greyhound.