HUMAN

Name: Mike Hicks

Age: 55

Residence: Houston, Texas

Occupation:  Veterinarian

Years involved with Iditarod: 10

Iditarod role: Trail veterinarian

Current Location: Kaltag, Alaska

Date of Photo: March 15, 2020
Temperature: Upper 20s, low 30s F/Outdoors

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

I got involved with the Iditarod dating back to, 2010 was my first year on the trail, became interested as an employee with another veterinarian in Texas who was good friends with a trail veterinarian, and they had conversed over the phone and he was telling me stories of another trail veterinarian. I happened to by happenstance at a football game, of all places, meet the trail veterinarian. And we got to talking about how I might get involved and he pointed me to the right people. And that’s how I started, applied and was accepted.

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

I’m here today and involved in the Iditarod for several reasons, primarily is far as the dogs, I really enjoy working with these athletes and to see their dedication and just their overall determination and demeanor. Over the years, I’ve met a lot of good people out here so it becomes kind of a family reunion when we get together; that’s another reason. And the challenge, just being in the elements, just the challenge involved has helped me stay interested and plan to continue as a trail veterinarian for many years to come.

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

I guess one of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was my first year in 2010. I thought that I was fortunate enough as a rookie veterinarian to be a trail veteran and at Rohn checkpoint, which is one of the more beautiful typical wilderness checkpoints. From there, immediately being flown into Cripple where it was 47 below that night and working all night, and I’d never been in temperatures that cold, but those were two, I thought, very excellent checkpoints and just felt very fortunate and met a lot of good people that year that I still keep in touch with.

 

What do you know for sure?:

What do I know for sure in life? I know there’s a lot of good people in this world. I know that God has a plan for all of us, and that’s what keeps me going.