HUMAN

Name: JAN BULLOCK
Age: 63
Residence: HAMILTON, MONTANA
Occupation: RETIRED
Years involved with Iditarod: SINCE 1994
Iditarod Role: TO HELP THE VETERINARIANS TO MOVE AROUND AND MAKE SURE THEY GET TO WHERE THEY’RE GOING, WEATHER PERMITTING. AND ALSO TO HELP THE VETERINARIANS WITH LOGISTICS AS FAR AS JUST GETTING DRUGS OR MEDICATIONS TO WHERE THEY NEED TO GO AND GETTING THESE VETS ON AND OFF THE TRAIL.
Current Location: NOME, ALASKA
Date of Photo: MARCH 12, 2019
Temperature: 65F / INDOORS

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

I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED ALASKA AND ALWAYS LOVED SLED DOGS, EVEN WHEN I WAS A LITTLE KID. AND WHEN I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ON A SLED DOG RACE IN 1993, I THOUGHT, “YEAH, I’D REALLY LIKE TO DO THIS.” AND A FRIEND OF MINE ASKED ME IF I WAS BUSY IN THE WINTERTIME. AND I SAID “NO, I’M SEASONAL WORKING FOR FISH AND GAME,” AND SHE SAID, “WOULD YOU LIKE TO WORK ON THE IDITAROD WITH ME?” AND I SAID, “SURE.” SO OFF WE WENT AND I WORKED UNTIL 5 YEARS AGO WHEN I RETIRED. I THOUGHT I WAS RETIRING FROM EVERYTHING, AND THEN DR. STU NELSON GAVE ME A CALL THIS FALL AND SAID, “HEY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME UP AND HELP ME WITH VETERINARY LOGISTICS?” AND I SAID, “YOU BET. I’M COMING!”

Tell me about your most rewarding experience on Iditarod?:

WELL, I THINK THAT WOULD BE WHEN DR. STU CALLED ME – OH, BOY – THE EARLY 2000’S MAYBE. I CAN’T REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE. AND HE SAID, “WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE THE HEAD VETERINARY TECHNICIAN FOR THE IDITAROD? WOULD YOU LIKE TO RUN THE ECG BLOOD WORK PROGRAM AND MICROCHIPPING THE DOGS?” AND I WAS VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. AND I ENJOYED IT. I DID IT FOR 20 YEARS, THEN I RETIRED. AND GUESS WHAT….. I’M BACK HELPING AGAIN.

What do you know for sure?:

THAT I WAS PUT ON THIS EARTH TO HELP GOD’S CREATURES WHETHER THEY’RE WILD OR DOMESTICATED. AND THAT’S WHAT I’VE DEDICATED MY LIFE TO DOING.