Maj. Gretchen Powers, the chief of Outpatient Services at Veterinary Medical Center Europe, examines a dog during the 2021 Iditarod. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) - SEMBACH, Germany 
Army veterinarians support sled dogs competing in Iditarod
Two Army veterinarians from Public Health Command Europe recently volunteered to travel to Alaska to support one of the most physically demanding sporting events in the world, the Iditarod.
The Iditarod is a nearly 1,000 mile sled dog race that has been held in March since 1973.
“I was introduced to the Iditarod by another Veterinary Corps Officer back in 2015,” said Maj. Rachel Acciacca, a regional veterinary clinical consultant with Public Health Command Europe. “I was fortunate to support the pre-race veterinary checks and race start in 2015 and again in 2017. This year, I was selected to serve as a race veterinarian out along the austere Iditarod trail where the mushers check-in for resupply, rest, and veterinary exams on their dogs.”
Acciacca provided physical examinations on sled dogs arriving through the checkpoint, provided veterinary support and guidance to mushers, treated sled dogs who were dealing with illness and injury, and provided ongoing field hospital care for sled dogs that were unable to continue with the race.
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