194 dogs will be
passing through the Archie Anderson Pavilion at the PA Exhibition grounds
today.
Vets will be
checking each dog over carefully ensuring that the athletes are in top
condition for the race ahead of them.
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| Dog trucks line up outside the pavilion Photo Credit: Rod A. Young |
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| Dogs stretch their legs while they wait their turn Photo Credit: Rod A. Young |
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| Earl Stobbes team waits patiently |
Dogs are also scored on a scale from 1 (too thin) to 5(too fat). Most mushers hope for a 2.5 scoring.
Each dog this year was marked with green to show that he was given the all clear to race tomorrow.
These same vets
follow the race, meeting up with each team as they come into the checkpoints.
Getting to know the
team ahead of time helps them determine how well they are faring on the
trail. The dogs health and safety comes
first at the race.
Dogs always come
first.
I met three of these amazing ladies at the 2015 race and can say with all honesty that they took care of each
dog as if they were their own. They
remembered each and would check on them throughout the race. It left me with confidence that if anything
were to go wrong help would be available quickly.
Ruth Anderson is the
head vet and this year will be her 10th with the Canadian Challenge, she
also brings with her the experience of having been a vet at the Yukon Quest in
2006.
The assistant Vets
also bring with them past Challenge experience, Katherine Robinson, Jessie Peck
and Romany Pinto will all be found at each checkpoint as well.
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| This is a good opportunity for the vet to answer any questions Photo credit: Jim Williams |
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| Heart rate is checked Photo Credit: Jim Williams |
The following photos are Randy Mackenzie's dogs from the 2015 race
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| Ruth checks gums for hydration |
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| shoulders, and all major joints for range of motion and any soreness |
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| Feet, checking for splits between the pads and overall health |
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