For my students, the life skill of pride is defined as “satisfaction from doing your personal best.” For the dogs of the Iditarod, however, P.R.I.D.E. is Provide Responsible Information on a Dog’s Environment. Never before was P.R.I.D.E. more evident than during today’s visit to the Iditarod Headquarters in Wasilla, Alaska. You see, the mushers were methodically rolling in with their teams of dogs for their mandatory pre-race physicals.
Chief Veterinarian Stuart Nelson, DMV and his team of approximately 50 other experts in the science of sled dog medicine worked cooperatively to ensure these canine athletes are at their healthiest as make their way down the 1,049 mile trail. The veterinarians are all members of the ISDVMA (International Sled Dog Veterinary Medical Association), and consider it an honor to serve the mushers and their dogs.
During these physicals, also given at each checkpoint, the veterinarians follow the acronym HAW&L:
“H” stands for heart and hydration.
“A” represents attitude and appetite.
“W” is for weight.
“L” covers legs and lungs
As the teams traverse across the wilderness of Alaska, they carry a “report card” of their very own. This is known as the vet check book and is used a means of communication that chronicles the dogs’ physical condition down the trail. Mushers are required to finish the race with their vet check book, also known as a dog team diary.
Another admirable trait that was clearly observed during an afternoon visit to Matthew Failor’s 17th-Dog Kennel in Willow was the life skill of caring. As I intently watched this young musher and his impressive team of handlers, I was immediately reminded of the late Susan Butcher who said, “We don’t win the Iditarod by making the dogs run. We win the Iditarod by making the dogs want to run.” I felt those vibes at 17th-Dog Kennel with Matthew and rookie musher Michael Baker, who will be taking Dirk--possibly as his lead dog--out on the trail on Saturday. These mushers’ relationships with their dogs closely resemble Susan’s patient and loving style. If Susan’s quote is to be believed, then look for these 17th-Dog Kennel mushers to be snagging their first Iditarod championship soon!
Chief Veterinarian Stuart Nelson, DMV and his team of approximately 50 other experts in the science of sled dog medicine worked cooperatively to ensure these canine athletes are at their healthiest as make their way down the 1,049 mile trail. The veterinarians are all members of the ISDVMA (International Sled Dog Veterinary Medical Association), and consider it an honor to serve the mushers and their dogs.
During these physicals, also given at each checkpoint, the veterinarians follow the acronym HAW&L:
“H” stands for heart and hydration.
“A” represents attitude and appetite.
“W” is for weight.
“L” covers legs and lungs
As the teams traverse across the wilderness of Alaska, they carry a “report card” of their very own. This is known as the vet check book and is used a means of communication that chronicles the dogs’ physical condition down the trail. Mushers are required to finish the race with their vet check book, also known as a dog team diary.
Another admirable trait that was clearly observed during an afternoon visit to Matthew Failor’s 17th-Dog Kennel in Willow was the life skill of caring. As I intently watched this young musher and his impressive team of handlers, I was immediately reminded of the late Susan Butcher who said, “We don’t win the Iditarod by making the dogs run. We win the Iditarod by making the dogs want to run.” I felt those vibes at 17th-Dog Kennel with Matthew and rookie musher Michael Baker, who will be taking Dirk--possibly as his lead dog--out on the trail on Saturday. These mushers’ relationships with their dogs closely resemble Susan’s patient and loving style. If Susan’s quote is to be believed, then look for these 17th-Dog Kennel mushers to be snagging their first Iditarod championship soon!