HUMAN

Name: Melissa Edwards

Age: 53

Residence: Juneau, Alaska

Occupation: Veterinary Emergency/Critical Care Specialist

Years involved with Iditarod: 4

Iditarod Roles: Volunteer/Return Dog Veterinarian

Current Location: McGrath, Alaska

Date of Photo: March 8, 2022

Temperature: 25 F Outdoors 

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

I first became involved with the Iditarod in 2019. I’d always wanted to do it since I’d graduated vet school. And I ran across Erica Friedrich who’s in charge of the lead for the return dog program and was able to get in to the veterinary program with the Iditarod and start working with return dog since the unsung heroes, since we’re behind the scenes, everybody wants to be at the checkpoints, but this way I get to help most dogs possible out on the trail and these are pretty special elite athletes.

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

I am here today and involved with the Iditarod because I enjoy working with these elite canine athletes and working in austere environments in Alaska, especially being from Alaska, helping to promote this iconic Alaska race is important to me and being able to provide care for the athletes.

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

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was helping to save Cool Cat, which was one of our sled dogs that had a condition called gastric dilatation-volvulus or bloat, that was found out on trail and we were able to provide medical care and get her back to Anchorage where she could have surgery and recover and has done very well since then.

What in life do you know for sure?

What do I know for sure in life is that everything we plan will never go as planned.