HUMAN

Name: Ethan White

Age: 29

Residence: Portland, Oregon

Occupation: Veterinary Assistant

Years involved with Iditarod: 1

Iditarod Roles: Returned Dog Handler

Current Location: McGrath, Alaska

Date of Photo: March 8, 2022

Temperature: 32 F Outdoors 

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

I first became involved with Iditarod this season. It’s my first year. I worked with Dr. Kim McCreedy at a vet clinic in Portland, Oregon. She’s been a veterinarian up here for last several year. She recommended me for the returned dog program, because she knows I have dog sledding experience and love working with dogs, and I’ve lived up in Alaska before. She knows that I’ve been itching to get back up here, so it was an easy fit. 

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

I’m here today and involved with Iditarod, because I love working with sled dogs, and I love Alaska. It’s been several years since I’ve been around either. So yeah, enjoying my time back up here.

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

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was our flight up to McGrath from Anchorage. We were crammed in a little nine-person plane, all the handlers, just flying over the mountains between here and Anchorage. Beautiful blue sky day. And yeah, just gorgeous bit of countryside flying over really makes you appreciate where you are.

What in life do you know for sure?

What I know for sure in life is that we only get one, so we might as well make the most of it. Whether that’s hanging with good friends, seeing beautiful places, and snuggling sled dogs. Got to enjoy the time that we have while we’re here.