HUMAN

Name: Kimberly Dawson
Age: 50
Residence: Seattle, WA
Occupation: Licensed veterinary technician at Woodland Park Zoo
Years involved with Iditarod: 1
Iditarod Role: Vet Tech
Current Location: Wasilla, Alaska at the Iditarod Head Quarters, Vet checks

Date of Photo: FEBRUARY 26, 2025
Temperature: 36F

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

I got involved with the Iditarod because my mentor at Woodland Park Zoo, Harmony Frazier, did this years ago, and I remember thinking it was the coolest thing I’d ever heard of. And I’d wanted to do it ever since then, but COVID and life happened. So I finally got to do it this year, and it’s been incredible.

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

 

I am here today and involved with Iditarod because I’ve worked as a vet tech for decades and I love doing new things and this is all new. And I think it is amazing to see animals do the thing that they love to do, and I think the Iditarod and sled dogs completely represent that, and it’s really great to be a part of their healthcare and their wellness and their success in that. So that’s why.

Tell me about your most memorable Iditarod experiences?:

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was when I went with our lead head tech over to the storage unit where they keep all the supplies, and they are so organized. It is so big. It is so much work. It was a little glimpse of the behind the scenes and it was stunning and it’s really, really important, And it was really great to see that. I was not expecting that. So the dogs, all the mushers, all of that’s been really amazing, but that just kind of blew my mind. I was not expecting that. 

What do you know for sure?:

What I know for sure in life is that it’s worth it. Whatever you’re doing, it’s worth it.