There are a lot of very unique people and opportunities in our world. In this section of Kidsville News, we've had the privilege to talk to all kinds of people about all kinds of jobs: race car driver, teacher, chef, photographer and many more. This month, I was lucky enough to be introduced to a very unique job dog sled mushing. A musher is a person who competes in cross-country races with a dog team and a sled. However, Harry and Lela Schlitz have taken this job to a new level. In addition to traveling by sled with their dogs, they also travel to schools, hospitals, libraries and nursing homes, using their team as educational and therapy dogs.
Truman: How did you get involved in dog sledding as a career?
Harry: In 1992, Lela was teaching, and we lived in the mountains of Southern California. I was working for a company and was downsized. Originally, I put this dog sled group together as a hobby. One day, I gave some teachers a ride, and they asked if I would share my hobby with their 4th-grade students. By the 3rd year, when we moved to Montana, I was doing 50 shows a year. Now we visit hospitals and nursing homes, do shows at schools and libraries, and even for the Marines and their families at Camp Pendleton. We even did promotions for Eight Below when they premiered the movie in Montana.
Truman: So what do you talk about when you visit a school or a library?
Harry: I talk about following your dreams. I tell them how I struggled with reading, and of course about how I sled the dogs. I talk about how it's OK to make mistakes and why I cant eat too many Krispy Kreme doughnuts because I have to run behind the dogs. We usually spend about 45 minutes with a classroom multi grade. Once I do my sharing and tell the Balto story, I talk to them about the dogs and how they were on patrol in Denali National Park; then the kids get to come up and meet the dogs. We don't charge for our programs, only for expenses to get there. We're also involved with the Buddy Reading Program, and we go and read to the students who are struggling readers. We take a dog in with us each time and read 15 minutes with the student.
We even do a child safety fair in conjunction with the hospital and teach about not approaching a strange dog. If I reach a family member and a child, then we've made progress.
Truman: Tell me more about your dogs. They worked in Denali?
Harry: Yes, two of the dogs we adopted from Denali National Park. The dogs patrol the park with the park rangers, but they retire three to five dogs each year. We applied to adopt the dogs and went up to Denali to get them. One is nine years old and one is 10. We have another dog Su that is three and a half and is a great therapy dog. This is a dog sled team, they are real sled dogs. But I do spoil them. They watch animal planet when we go on long drives! Well never been able to thank them for what they have done for us and the smiles they have brought.
Truman: What does it take to do this job?
Harry: Of course, it takes a love of dogs and the outdoors. You have to stay in good shape and be good at teamwork. We have 20 acres, and I have built a trail where I run the dogs. My wife is a teacher, mentors new teachers and loves to teach reading, so she is a big part of our team. We also have two wonderful veterinarians that help us. You have to love what you do I love having the opportunity to help others.
Truman: What do you do? Describe a typical day on the job.
Harry: Generally we exercise every morning. It is a great exercise program to work with these dogs. Then the team eats before we start the days work. If we are going to do a show, I load the truck and make sure everything is safe. If its a rest day, we exercise in the morning, and then I spend the afternoon checking e-mails and doing other work.
The dogs love to run and even love to run at night. Wed love to run every day, but sometimes it is too warm. We usually run in zero- to ten-degree weather. One of the best experiences is running with them at night under a full moon.
Truman: What's the hardest part of your job?
Harry: The hardest part is knowing when the dog is really sick and when to take it in to the veterinarian. We lost three dogs to cancer. It's difficult to lose these great dogs. They want to keep going. They are true heros.
Truman: What is the best part of your job?
Harry: Working with the dogs and sharing them with people. Its terrific that it is inspiring to children and adults I tell them, You could do this.
Truman: What advice would you give to kids who are interested in being a musher or working with retired dogs as therapy dogs?
Harry: Start small. There are a lot of dogs that could be rescued. Start with a dog and train it correctly for the long run. Have a good veterinarian. Learn responsibility. Always remember: Sometimes you get knocked down, but you can get back up.
Truman: Wow! Thank you so much for telling me all about what its like to work with these amazing animals.
Harry dedicates this article to Lela and all of the teachers that have worked with and supported their team. For more information about Harry, Lela and their team of educational therapy sled dogs, contact them at mtmushers@aol.com.
