The Paws Crew is comprised on an exceptional group of talented professional mushers that share a passion for sled dogs. In addition to sharing tours with you, each has his/her own desires, plans and unique talents with sled dogs and the sport of mushing. As ‘the boss’ (somebody has to do it), one of my duties is to spotlight each of these professional’s talents and share them with you. They’ll do an awesome job of winning you over once you meet them in person. EXPERIENCE COUNTS when offering a safe and reliable experience. Not only does this crew know sled dogs (can predict behaviors and set everyone up for success …), they also have worked with sled dogs around groups of people in many different settings, stress levels and weather conditions. Below are some of our long-time crew members with a short paragraph about their special talents.
Chris Parker is our on-site Dog Handler. In addition to feeding, scooping, helping me manage the Kennel and running dogs for training and tours, he is building his own long-distance race team. Since 2008 he has worked for other racing and touring kennels, and has run several mid-distance races. Some of the dogs giving tours in the Paws Kennel belong to Chris. His incredible devotion to each individual dog is evident when you enter the well-kept and happy kennel.
Peter Reuter runs our Paws dogs for tours and helps with dog handling duties in the winter. He has worked for many professional racing kennels handling and training long distance race dogs, and has run several mid-distance races, and ran the famed Iditarod Sled Dog Race in 2017. He has run his own carpentry business and at one time owned his own team of Malemutes. As well, he has worked with a number of tour kennels and known many sleddogs. His stories offer a wealth of practical knowledge and endless entertainment.
Spencer Egbert runs our Paws dogs for our tours and helps with dog handling; he is one of our former Kennel Managers and is returning to Fairbanks to attend UAF and further his sleddog racing goals. He has worked for several professional racing and touring kennels and plans to start building his own long-distance race team. Like many sled dog enthusiasts his passion for sleddogs has lead him down a path less travelled, but forever rewarding. His heart says DOG, his brain says, SCHOOL – so he is challenged to do a bit of both at the moment.
Jessica Hendricks was born and raised in Alaska and started running sleddogs when she was 12 years old. She has run many mid-distance races, sprint races, and finished the famed Iditarod Sled Dog Race 4 times. She was awarded ‘Rookie of the Year’ in her 2004 Iditarod. She and her husband Tom Lesatz own and operate Iron Pearl Kennels. She brings her own dog team to Paws to give tours. After the tour day, you might find her tending to all her dogs, horses (another passion of hers) and a myriad of other farm animals. ‘Iron Pearl’ is her nickname and one befitting her truly Alaskan spirit. Jessica has worked for Paws since 2004 offering up her excellent skills as dog trainer, dog driver and accomplished Alaskan outdoorswoman.
Chase Tingle owns and operates Tukaway Sled Dog Kennel in Two Rivers, Alaska (dog mushing capital of the world). He has been working with sleddogs since 2007 as a tour guide turned dogsled racer. After several years of competing in the Yukon Quest 300 and other mid-distance races, he has set his sights on the big one! This year (2019) Paws is one of the proud sponsors of his rookie Yukon Quest 1,000 mile race! Chase has shared his talents as an excellent showman as well as dog driver with Paws guests for the past 3 years conducting tours in winter with his own dog team. And in summer, Chase leads our Tukaway Talk and Cart Ride at the Paws Kennel.
Richie Beattie owns and operates Wildthingz Dog Mushing out of Two Rivers, AK with his wife, Emily. He has run several mid-distance races including the Yukon Quest 300. He has run the Yukon Quest 1,000 mile race twice and was named Rookie of the Year in 2006. This year he has his sights set on the 2019 Iditarod Sled Dog Race! Paws will be a proud sponsor of his rookie 1,000 mile race. In the summer season Wildthingz operates a dogsled tour in Cantrell, AK. Richie has worked for Paws for the past 2 winter seasons giving rides with his team of beautiful big black huskies. It will be a joy to watch this beautiful and talented team compete in the big race.
Emily Richmond is our Office Assistant Extraordinaire and a fledgling musher. She is the helpful soul who will help you book your dogsled adventure and make sure you have all the proper information and gear to have a perfect mushing experience. Her former Paws dog and sidekick ‘Dallas’ explore the trails by skijoring and small team travel. Summers find her working as a wildlife technician in remote parts of Alaska. This will be her second season with Paws.
When I started writing this blog, it was my thought to share the individual talents of each of our Paws Crew members so that our guests may understand who we are. It has since turned into a new Mission Statement as I am in awe of the many years of experience, accomplishments and depth of the expertise that this Crew claims.
Each and every member has an extraordinary story to tell. After 20 years of Paws tours we’re not done exploring, growing, and teaching! As long as there are trails to explore, sled dogs to revere, and tests of strength and endurance, I hope this group will continue to challenge and support one another as well as share their experiences with those interested in learning. As it’s leader, I will continue to foster this enterprise not only as a business supporting our passion in sleddog sports, but also as a place where the crew members find stability, strength and a place to grow.
This next winter season, Paws will be a couple of new staff members strong. I will introduce our new recruits as they join our crew.