Sled dogs running the 2015 Iditarod race near the start in Fairbanks, Alaska (Dreamstime stock image Jason Neuswanger)

By Charles Lefebvre

Smile Sunday

Local vet tech assisting with Iditarod

Feb 14, 2020 | 5:05 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — A local veterinary technician is up in Alaska for the next 10 days, helping with the world’s most famous dog sled race.

Taylor MacPhail, who works for Cypress View Veterinary Clinic, left Medicine Hat on Wednesday to perform work in advance of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

“I’m super excited to go up there,” she said. “It’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The Iditarod has been held since 1973 and sees dog sled teams from around the world compete in a race from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. The race sees mushers and a team of 14 dogs cover the distance of 1,510 kilometres (938 miles), which takes between eight and 15 days. At least five dogs must be on the tow-line when racers cross the finish line.

MacPhail, a recent veterinary graduate, spent her summer working at the Vancouver Aquarium, where technicians there were in close contact with the Anchorage Aquarium, and told her about the Iditarod. She sent in a letter to the race organizers, who sent back an application form.

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After a long review, she received her approval to work in Anchorage in November.

While in Alaska, MacPhail will be helping ensure the animals are fit to participate in the race, including blood tests, blood exams and making sure they’re micro chipped.

In the months leading up to her trip, MacPhail had been working hard at the clinic to prepare for Alaska.

“Any time a husky type dog would come into the clinic, I would make sure I’m the one who was pulling the blood,” she said. “The other staff know I’m going up there, so they know that I want to get as much practice in as well.”

This year’s race begins on March 7.