HUMAN

Name: Jed Sung

Age: 32

Residence: Rochester, New York

Occupation: I am a veterinarian

Years involved with Iditarod: This Is the first year. Brand spanking new.

Iditarod Roles: I’m going to be a veterinarian, trail vet.

Current Location: Skwentna, Alaska

Date of Photo: March 6, 2022

Temperature: 31 F Outdoors 

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

I first got involved with the Iditarod because someone that I had been working with research, it was one of the trail vets here, his name is Dershgau. And so as we were all kind of working on our project, that’s when he started talking about the Iditarod. And I thought that’s such a cool experience. I’ve always heard of that when I was a kid as well. And then once I became a boarded surgeon, I was saying, “Hey, what’s the next adventure that I can take?” And I was like, “Hey, let’s do the Iditarod.”

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

I’m here with the Iditarod because this is a fantastic way to give back to the dog sledding community, but also just veterinary medicine as well. It’s something that’s a little different from what I typically do, which is surgery, but just being able to give back and helping the mushers that are here. They’re so passionate about their animals. And just being here just in case something goes wrong. I mean, love to kind of give back and help out. Hopefully there’s no issues. We’re here to just say everything’s all nice and good, but if there’s an issue we’re here for that. Ready for the challenge..

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

My most memorable Iditarod experience is riding on that snowmachine. I’ve never done that before. So loved it. Loved flying in as well, but I am a student pilot, so I’ve done a little bit of the flying, but the scenery is just spectacular. So that’s kind of a close second.

What do you know for sure?

What I know for sure in life is that there’s a ton of uncertainties. All I can do is control my own future and that just to do the best that I can.