A passion for serving the veterinary community and doing something new are the deciding factors that pushed Russel Miller, DVM, to sign up for the 2023 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race last March. Aware he will be working in the arctic conditions of Anchorage, Alaska, with limited resources, Dr. Miller underwent the rigorous screening process to get on the team of volunteer veterinarians for the race. “The events and experiences you are going to be involved with [in the Iditarod] require you to be able to be comfortable with being uncomfortable,” says Miller. “You must be really confident in your technical and medical skills.”

While Miller fortunately did not handle any emergency or life-threatening cases during the race, his Iditarod stint as a volunteer vet is an experience he would “sign up for again 100 percent!”

“I guess what I would say is I hope they accept my application again next year,” says Miller, when asked what he thinks about the 2024 race. “It’s a great opportunity because you’re helping an organization. You’re putting yourself in a very vulnerable spot, meaning, you are in the middle of nowhere, and you’re trusting the process.”

Veterinary Practice News recently caught up with the Iditarod vet rookie, where he talks about volunteer work, being a team player, and establishing an emotional connection with clients and pets.

How was the experience getting into the Iditarod?

Russell Miller (RM): This is my rookie year in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. I was looking for ways that I could see something different … something new. I previously went with Christian Veterinary Mission (CVM) to Nicaragua—shared my time and skills in that vet area. It was great. Then one night, I was thinking of ways to donate back to the community again. I was searching online for opportunities, how I can volunteer time as a veterinarian, and these different organizations were popping up; the Iditarod was one. It was like a flashback of fifth grade, reading about Balto, the Alaskan sled dog. In the industry, in vet school, I’ve heard about veterinarians going out there. I reached out to the organization to put me in direct contact with their
head veterinarian.

The Iditarod is strict about application deadlines because they essentially go through so many profiles of veterinarians with different backgrounds. The events and experiences you are going to be involved with [in the race] require you to be able to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. It requires that you have a solid medical background. You are going to see things … like, something comes in and you need X-rays, and there was no X-ray machine in Alaska where we were at the time. You must be really confident in your technical and medical skills.

All rookie veterinarians were required to do the continuing education the first week of the screening process. You fly to Alaska, stay in a hotel, and you’re learning about the Alaskan sled dog. It wasn’t easy at all. Sometimes you’re learning things you felt you already knew, and the next moment you’re learning about the Alaskan sled dog … that they can still overheat at below zero. I mean, how do you overheat at 20 or 30 degrees? These are things you really don’t think about.

I would say the head veterinarian, Stuart Nelson, DVM, and the organization did a really good job of preparing us for the unexpected. Having the appropriate equipment when you go to locations, such as in Anchorage, is essential.

The locals are very friendly, they are also volunteering their time because they love the dogs.

What were the common medical problems you had to deal with?

RM: Iditarod strives every year to have no injury incidents. When I was at the checkpoint, I met this first musher with his dogs. He was the first one that I talked to, and he had the dog on his sled. He unzips the dog from the sled and hands it to me. My job was to provide care for that animal, so it can get the treatment it needs and get back in the race. Essentially, if the dog wasn’t feeling well—having diarrhea, feeling weak, probably with an orthopedic issue, lameness, or any concern—then it would be out of the race. The whole goal was to take care of these dogs.

When that musher came in, I asked what’s wrong. He said, “She’s a little sore on the shoulder. She’s done running. We must do what’s best for the dogs.” I went and picked the dog up, did the exam, and noticed she had pain on her right leg. It was not bad, and nothing was obviously fractured, but the musher said the race was over for that dog.

How was your interaction with the mushers?

RM: You could see a great bond between the mushers and their dogs. Sometimes, when we would do rounds for mushers on 24-hour breaks, we wouldn’t see right away if there was something wrong because the dogs would look okay. However, some mushers would come up to us and say, “Hey, can you look at this dog again? I just want to make sure we’re OK. If you see anything and we shouldn’t keep going, just let me us know.”

The mushers were so in tune with injuries common to their dogs that they would know if there was something wrong with just one look. Similar as how your clients would be in the clinic. You can’t deny the connection.

It’s the culture in those areas—they love those dogs so much. That’s why there were veterinarians at every checkpoint, to ensure the health and safety of the animals. Not feeling so well? You’re done. The mushers are not doing it for the money. It’s a mindset we share with them. Vet professionals don’t really do it for the money—we do it because of our absolute love for these animals.

What did you learn from this experience you think that you can apply in your practice?

RM: I had a really good connection with my team out there, and they were not all veterinarians. When I first got to Anchorage, I met a wonderful army veterinarian, Greg Reppas, who has been doing this for years. He said, “While you’re out there on the trail, please consider making yourself helpful. As a volunteer, you’re out there making the best out of every situation you are in. Help your fellow teammates, not just veterinarians.”

Taking that advice in mind, we helped each other set up and assist the dogs and the mushers. Being available to help within a team makes it a more enjoyable experience. It takes a village, as what they say, to get things accomplished. I think my takeaway is how important it is to maintain that culture in the clinic—from the receptionist, to technicians, and veterinarians. Everyone is valuable.

What is your advice to other vet professionals looking for volunteer work?

RM: Go with an open mind and try just to communicate with the people as best as you can. Be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Giving back to the community is a different feeling. Do it for the animals. Do it for the dogs. Apply that mindset in your clinic, too. Focus on the patient. I always tell my team in the clinic, “If this was my dog, what would I do in this situation? How would I feel toward it?” I try to connect with the client and also assess their emotions when in the clinic. That’s a good characteristic to have.