Jr. Iditarod mushers brought their dogs to Iditarod Headquarters in Wasilla for vet check on Friday morning.  They were greeted past veterinarians Phil Meyer of Wasilla and Jayne Hempstead of Cantwell.  Both vets take a long history with the Jr. Iditarod.

Kevin Harper'due south dogs show off fine wrist flexibility for Dr. Jayne and Dr. Phil

Defending champion Kevin Harper arrived with a very healthy and energetic looking dog team.  While living in Washington state, Kevin participated in wrestling and soccer.  Since moving to Alaska, he'southward focused on sled dogs.  The 2014 Jr. Iditarod was his first race.  He finished in tertiary place claiming rookie of the year honors and besides was voted past his peers to receive the sportsmanship award.  In 2015, he earned Jr. Iditarod gold by a slim margin of ii minutes.  Asked about his strategy for 2016, Kevin replied with one word – WIN!

Dr. Phil who practices at the Wasilla Vet Clinic said he's been with the Jr. Iditarod since it started.  The race began in 1978 so that would make this his 39th year!  Over the years, he's worked many sled domestic dog races as veterinary, race director,  domestic dog handler, trail mark, race judge and even dishwasher.  Ann, Dr. Phil's married woman, is a tireless volunteer for the Jr. Iditarod organization.

Dr. Jayne who practices in Cantwell has been with the Jr Iditarod for twenty plus years.  when she first moved to Alaska in 1992 to practice in Palmer, she knew nothing virtually sled dogs.  A musher who used the Palmer Clinic invited Dr Jayne to take a turn on the runners and it's all history from in that location.  When Dr. Phil began looking for addition veterinarian help, Dr. Jayne agreed to give it a try.  Did she recall the delivery would final for twenty years?  Whether she did or not, Hempstead says, "Working with the Jr. Iditarod has get a tradition and I intend to continue for as long equally I tin."

When veteran Rose Capistrant from Healy lined out, her dogs they were they were happy and full of energy.  No doubt they were expecting to see a sled, gang line and harnesses waiting.  Sorry pups, not to today.  Like the other mushers, Rose will focus on keeping her dogs happily hydrated with the warm weather condition.  They'll exist snacked often forth the trail with fish.

Earning fourth place and Rookie of the Twelvemonth honors in 2015, Dakota Schlosser is returning.  He's known for his passion for edifice and designing things, especially planes, hot rods and canis familiaris sleds.  He says correct now he'due south focusing on building his domestic dog team.  Schlosser started out with ii puppies from Melissa Owens and two from Jeff King.  He'due south raised and trained all his own dogs.

Jr. Iditarod rookie, Denver Kay Evans was just finishing up with Dr. Phil and Dr Jayne.  They'd checked each of her dogs over thoroughly and went through all the paper work to verify immunizations.  Evans who lives in Skagway is preparation with Ryan Redington.  She introduced i of her leaders, Egg.  As you might guess, Egg was in a litter of puppies named for breakfast food.  Denver Kay is very appreciative of all the support she has received from the community of Skagway.  She says, "What nosotros're doing is a first for the customs and they are so involved.  It's nice to have that kind of support."

Marianna Mallory was the last musher to bring her team in for vet check.  She's returning from her rookie Jr. Iditarod in 2022 where she was called by the race veterinarians to receive the Humanitarian award for exemplary dog car.  Mallory says, "The most important matter about mushing to me is the care of your dogs.  No affair where we place, my dogs should feel like they've won.  That'due south one matter I love about mushing, your ego has no legitimate place on your team.  It's all about the dogs."

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Marianna Mallory's dog Rebel gives Dr. Jayne a Smooch

Next up for the Jr. Iditarod racers is the Rookie Meeting scheduled simply prior to the mandatory musher meeting at 5:00 on the evening before Jr. Iditarod.  The Jr. race is scheduled to begin in Willow at the community Heart at 10:00 on Saturday Feb 27th.