Alaskan sled dog comes to Powell Branch Library

Posted 1/22/09

More than 100 children gathered at the Powell Branch Library Tuesday to literally get their hands on a genuine Alaskan sled dog.

Pixie, who retired three years ago after an eight-year career as a lead dog for the National Park Service in Alaska's …

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Alaskan sled dog comes to Powell Branch Library

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More than 100 children gathered at the Powell Branch Library Tuesday to literally get their hands on a genuine Alaskan sled dog.Pixie, who retired three years ago after an eight-year career as a lead dog for the National Park Service in Alaska's Denali National Park, visited the library with her owner, Harry Schlitz of Park City, Mont.Since her retirement, Pixie has been part of Mountain Mushers, a business Schlitz and his wife Lela started in California 17 years ago. Along with Sorrel, who also is retired after working with the same dog team in Denali, and a younger dog, Su, Pixie accompanies the Schlitzes around the country visiting schools, libraries, nursing homes and senior centers as “The Nation's Only Hero Sled Dog Educational/Therapy Team.”Before introducing Pixie, Schlitz talked to the children about sled dogs and the work they do at Denali National Park. He recounted the epic story of the emergency delivery of medicine to Nome, Alaska, in 1925, the incident that inspired the annual Iditarod dogsled race. His own sled was on display along with the equipment he carries, and he showed the children an old dog harness used in Denali in contrast to the modern harnesses used today.Schlitz talked about how he treats his dogs with love and patience. He told the kids he had to earn the dogs' trust and respect. He also told them why it was important to treat the dogs with respect in return.“If they know they're loved and respected, they will work for you,” Schlitz said.In his talk, Schlitz also encouraged kids to read, use their imagination and follow their dreams. After his talk, Schlitz brought out Pixie, who calmly allowed kids to pet her while Schlitz answered questions. Schlitz began working with sled dogs after he lost his job with Delta Airlines in a 1992 cost-cutting move. His wife, a teacher, asked him to give one of her colleagues a ride in his sled, and he was subsequently asked to bring his dogs to visit the teacher's class. The visit led to the founding of Mountain Mushers.Since then, the dogs have traveled around the country for educational appearances and also have served as therapy dogs. The dogs are particularly effective with special-needs children, and one of the dogs, Su, has a special affinity for autistic children. “Su seems to sense each autistic child's needs and seems to be trying to meet them,” Schlitz said. “We don't train them to be therapy dogs, but they seem to work that way.”He also has been asked to bring his dogs to comfort individuals who are moving into nursing homes or are in the final stages of life.Lela Schlitz has written a children's book recounting Pixie's career in Denali, and she is working on another about Su's work as a therapy dog.

More than 100 children gathered at the Powell Branch Library Tuesday to literally get their hands on a genuine Alaskan sled dog.

Pixie, who retired three years ago after an eight-year career as a lead dog for the National Park Service in Alaska's Denali National Park, visited the library with her owner, Harry Schlitz of Park City, Mont.

Since her retirement, Pixie has been part of Mountain Mushers, a business Schlitz and his wife Lela started in California 17 years ago. Along with Sorrel, who also is retired after working with the same dog team in Denali, and a younger dog, Su, Pixie accompanies the Schlitzes around the country visiting schools, libraries, nursing homes and senior centers as “The Nation's Only Hero Sled Dog Educational/Therapy Team.”

Before introducing Pixie, Schlitz talked to the children about sled dogs and the work they do at Denali National Park. He recounted the epic story of the emergency delivery of medicine to Nome, Alaska, in 1925, the incident that inspired the annual Iditarod dogsled race. His own sled was on display along with the equipment he carries, and he showed the children an old dog harness used in Denali in contrast to the modern harnesses used today.

Schlitz talked about how he treats his dogs with love and patience. He told the kids he had to earn the dogs' trust and respect. He also told them why it was important to treat the dogs with respect in return.

“If they know they're loved and respected, they will work for you,” Schlitz said.

In his talk, Schlitz also encouraged kids to read, use their imagination and follow their dreams.

After his talk, Schlitz brought out Pixie, who calmly allowed kids to pet her while Schlitz answered questions.

Schlitz began working with sled dogs after he lost his job with Delta Airlines in a 1992 cost-cutting move. His wife, a teacher, asked him to give one of her colleagues a ride in his sled, and he was subsequently asked to bring his dogs to visit the teacher's class. The visit led to the founding of Mountain Mushers.

Since then, the dogs have traveled around the country for educational appearances and also have served as therapy dogs. The dogs are particularly effective with special-needs children, and one of the dogs, Su, has a special affinity for autistic children.

“Su seems to sense each autistic child's needs and seems to be trying to meet them,” Schlitz said.

“We don't train them to be therapy dogs, but they seem to work that way.”

He also has been asked to bring his dogs to comfort individuals who are moving into nursing homes or are in the final stages of life.

Lela Schlitz has written a children's book recounting Pixie's career in Denali, and she is working on another about Su's work as a therapy dog.

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