News Details (Posted: April 1, 2005):

LOCAL DOG TRAINER SELECTED AS DOG HANDLER FOR IDITAROD

Contact Information:

Marla Williams

Full Description:

Sammamish, WA— Lance Baumann, Director of Training for PetPro Hidden Dog Fencing was one of 100 official handlers selected from applicants across the United States to assist with handling the over 1,200 dogs participating in the Iditarod. There are over 1,900 applications each year for the many volunteer positions and only a limited number are chosen with many volunteers being turned away. Baumann’s love for dogs and extensive expertise in dog training made him a natural fit for this job. Each dog handler is required to attend specialized training in how the sled team and harnesses work. They are taught how to hold a gang line as well as how to best manage these individual and excited canine athletes. Once they complete the required training they qualify to be certified to hold this coveted volunteer position. The official handlers and veterinarians are the two most critical volunteers in the Iditarod. It is a common belief that the race wouldn’t happen without these volunteers and they are a treasured commodity in the Iditarod community. These individuals become a key support team to both the musher’s and their dogs. This year the handler’s job was any thing but easy. The night before, trucks haul in snow to prepare the street for the ceremonial start of the race. The snow conditions vary from year to year and this year’s snow did not pack well, it was soft and difficult to walk in. Musher’s with the help of the handlers were wobbling in the snow and sinking in while trying to get the over excited dog teams out of their boxes and harnesses and in line for the race. The overall opinion was that those working as handlers this year should receive medals. They sunk into the snow with every step and just walking was a challenge. On top of that they were trying to handle the task of guiding many energetic sled dogs moving at a fast pace. Most handlers are assigned to one musher but are asked to help out with the other teams. The job is so strenuous and physically demanding that many handlers drop out in the process. Baumann was repeatedly called upon to help out with different teams. He made the difficult trek up the crowded street multiple times, getting past other teams and trucks and getting the sleds into position. The handlers need to help the musher as a steady parade of dog teams make their way up the street, only to be stopped just short of the line. The dogs are leaping in the air, barking frantically and showing their displeasure with the “hurry up and wait” process that they are being held to. It was critical that the handlers help manage the dogs at this point so that each sled makes it to their starting point at the right time. The team must be held until it is their time to leave, as each sled leaves at 2 minute intervals. It was a demanding, exhilarating but rewarding job. The Iditarod is the “last great race” with musher’s and their dogs traveling over 1,049 miles of the most beautiful terrain Mother Nature has to offer known as the Iditarod trail. Veterinarians play a very important role in the Iditarod. There are 26 vet check stations for the dogs where they are evaluated throughout the race. Not only are they looking out for the health and welfare of the dogs during the course of the race, but they are also gathering important data for clinical research. Sled dogs are exposed to environmental and athletic factors most dogs will never encounter. Iditarod dogs have some of the most intensive health checkups in the animal world. There is also a much sought after Alaska Airlines Humanitarian Award presented to the team that demonstrates the most outstanding dog care throughout the race while remaining competitive. Visit the PetPro website at PetPro Hidden Fencing to view photo’s of the Iditarod. You can also visit Iditarod Official Website to see more photo’s and race results.