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

I got involved with the Iditarod because the clinic that I work at, my boss has done it for a couple of years and sent me the application last July. It has been on my bucket list since veterinary school, and Dr. Mike Willard would talk about it all the time during internal medicine classes.

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

I am here today and involved with the Iditarod because it, as I said, has always been on my bucket list. Something I’ve always wanted to do since hearing Dr. Willard talk about it. I was in Alaska during veterinary school for a summer and I wanted to come back in the winter.

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

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences haven’t happened yet, but I am so excited to be out on the trail.

What in life do you know for sure?

What I know for sure in life is something that my dad told me. He just died a couple of months ago, and one of the most important things is he always said, “Ain’t life grand, Debra?” And so this is sort of a dedication to him as well. Me being here.