HUMAN

Name: Grace Chaffin
Age: 24
Residence: Champaign, Illinois
Occupation: Veterinary technician 
Years involved with Iditarod: 2
Iditarod Role: Helping with ECGs and we’re drawing a pre-race blood work on the dogs
Current Location: Wasilla, Alaska at the Iditarod Head Quarters

Date of Photo: FEBRUARY 26, 2025
Temperature: 34F

What, who or how and when did you first get involved with the Iditarod?:

I first became involved with the Iditarod in 2023. It was my first year up here, so I helped with the Return Dog program. So I was in Anchorage for a week at the second half of the race, and we would take care of any dogs that came in, needed medical attention, and then wait with them while the handlers came and picked them up.

What is your Why? Why are you here TODAY and involved with the Iditarod?

 

I have always wanted to be a part of the Iditarod ever since I was little. I watched the movies, I saw the mushers, and I just never really got it out of my head. But I’m here today involved with the Iditarod because I love the beauty of Alaska. I love working with the sled dogs. They’re such a unique type of animal. They’re such unique athletes, and it just is so special to be able to be up here.

Tell me about your most memorable Iditarod experiences?:

I would say one of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was my first year. It was about 10 degrees and we were sleeping in a trailer with three other dogs. It was me and the other vet tech that I was here with, so yeah, so we slept the whole night in a trailer with the dogs and it was very, very cold.

What do you know for sure?:

What I know for sure in life is that life is really, really unpredictable, but it’s also what you make it. So yeah, if you have a dream you should chase after that.