HUMAN

Name: Steven Shipley

Age: 49

Residence: Apex, North Carolina

Occupation: Veterinarian

Years involved with the Iditarod: 7

Iditarod Roles: Veterinarian

Current Location: Shaktoolik, Alaska

Date of Photo: March 13, 2022

Temperature: 6F Outdoors &20-30 MPH Winds & Gusts 50 to 60 MPH

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

I became involved with Iditarod in 2015. A friend of mine, another veterinarian, and been working the race for several years and I’d always wanted to come to Alaska and I thought this would be a really cool way to do it.

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

I’m here today and involved with Iditarod because a couple of reasons. Number one, coming up here and spending this time is a wonderful reset for my brain. That’s me, personally. And I’m also here because these dogs are ridiculous. They’re unlike any other animals that I interact with on a daily basis and it feeds my soul.

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

So, one of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was working 22 hours straight in Ruby because that’s just what needed to be done. 

What in life do you know for sure?

What I know for sure in life is if there’s something you want to do, you should do it now because tomorrow was not guaranteed.