HUMAN

Name: Gregory Reppas

Age: 50
Residence: Colorado Springs, CO
Occupation: Veterinarian in the United States Army

Years involved with Iditarod: I think this is my 6th

Iditarod Role: Veterinarian
Current Location: Cripple, Alaska

Date of Photo: March 12, 2020
Temperature: 0F/Outdoors

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

I got involved with the Iditarod back in 2008. I wasn’t even a licensed veterinarian yet. I was still a veterinary student in my last year, University of Florida. I was looking for an externship to do as part of my curriculum. I just started browsing. Looked like sled dogs were a really interesting thing. I got a hold of Stu Nelson, the chief Iditarod vet, and he took me in with open arms, even though I wasn’t technically a veterinarian yet. He, again, helped me become part of the team, and quickly I really, really enjoyed it after that. I was at Anchorage that first year, but I got to see a lot of interesting cases and help the dogs out and meet a lot of really interesting people.

What is your Why?..Why are you here today and involved in Iditarod?

I’m here today and involved with the Iditarod because this is really a clash of two different worlds for me. I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors and of course as a military vet, I work with athletic dogs and I really…. a chance to up an opportunity to combine both of these passions into one event is really what brings me here. However, the one variable I wasn’t counting on is, the number of crazy stories you hear, the people you meet. Truly an amazing event. It’s unparalleled anywhere.

Tell me about just one of your most memorable Iditarod experiences?

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was back at Yentna. It was my very first time on the trail. Didn’t really know…. just learning a lot about the sport. And one of the rookie mushers pulled in, didn’t anchor his team down adequately. Team started running off, and so me and three other guys, about 230 pounds plus, jumped on the sled, and we’re all getting dragged for about hundreds of yards before they finally stopped. It really gave me insight into what kind of horsepower we’re dealing with here with a full team of dogs, full steam early on in the race and what kind of weight they can handle. That’s one of my most memorable moments.

What do you know for sure?:

What I know for sure in life is to be true to yourself. Be passionate about what you do and believe not only in yourself, believe in people and things will be all right. As rough as things get, things will be all right.