HUMAN

Name: Tabitha Jones 
Age: 36
Residence: Chugiak, Alaska
Occupation: Veterinary Technician
Years involved with Iditarod: 10
Iditarod Role: Veterinarian
Current Location: Lakefront Hotel – Anchorage, Alaska
Date of Photo: December 7, 2019
Temperature: 68F / INDOORS

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

Probably seeing “Balto” when I was younger. So that’s how I knew about the race; and then in school. And then I knew I was going to be coming to Alaska and I was, like, “I’m going to work with those dogs”.

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

Today’s a rookie meeting so we’re giving the rookies – kind of letting them know what we do and the ECG program, what they’re going to expect when they come in for their bloods, like their ECG blood work program; what their dogs are going to go through; what they need to be bringing and prepared for and getting that rolling.

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

Probably one of my most favorite memories is out in McGrath and we were kind of starting to shut down the hub and I was with one of the dropped dogs and it was sunny and I just sat in the sun with my parka over my face and snuggled in the sun and where the drop dogs were all chained up on the fence. And the dropped dog was just, like, in my lap. And we were just in the straw in the sun and I fell asleep. It was just amazing. So it was warm and the dog was so sweet and just snugly. I mean, I have a picture of it and everything. I just – I love that picture. She was a female cause I remember cause she had a little pink tag on her collar.

What do you know for sure?:

I know that love is everything and if – that’s what I know. I know love is everything. And that’s what’s great about dogs is because they love us no matter what, and just lead with that and I’ll be in a better situation.