TRAIL VETERINARIANS
Can-Am Crown trail veterinarians should have a solid
background in medicine and surgery. Previous exposure to sled dogs
and their unique problems is highly desirable, as are flexibility and
the ability to work with others in sometimes trying conditions.
- Trail veterinarians will follow the instructions of the chief
veterinarian regarding race procedures. However, it is advisable for
trail veterinarians to read and understand the race rules before such
instruction.
- Trail veterinarians will participate in pre-race examinations of
sled dogs. If a contagious illness is suspected, then the Chief
Veterinarian should be informed.
- At every checkpoint, the musher will present a veterinary diary
for review. When required or requested, the trail veterinarian will
examine a dog or dogs, recording disorders in the diary with
some indication of the severity of the disorder, medications,
recommendations, and comments. The driver should be nearby
during the exams. The diary is then returned to the driver, the
veterinarian explains his/her findings, and, with the driver’s consent,
appropriate treatment is applied, followed by rechecks when
necessary.
- If a musher challenges the recommendation(s) of a trail
veterinarian, then the trail veterinarian should inform the Chief
Veterinarian.
- A trail veterinarian will examine a dog or dogs as soon as
possible if a driver requests it. A trail veterinarian may also demand
at any time to examine a dog or dogs that appear unfit, but every
effort must be made not to delay the team unnecessarily. Ideally, a
veterinary examination should take place immediately after a team is
safely parked at the checkpoint. This will allow early treatment of
problems and maximum recovery time at the checkpoint as well as a
longer period of uninterrupted rest for the team.
- Following the plan of the Chief Veterinarian, a trail
veterinarian may be required to collect and test blood and urine
samples at any time during the race to determine the presence of
prohibited drugs. It will be the driver's responsibility to assist the
veterinarian in collection of these samples.
- As scheduled by the Chief Veterinarian, a trail veterinarian
may be required to examine and care for dropped dogs.
- A trail veterinarian who suspects cruel or inhumane treatment
of dogs shall immediately report his/her observations to the Chief
Veterinarian, the Race Marshal, or the Checkpoint Coordinator.
- Trail veterinarians should notify the Chief Veterinarian of any
crises or problems.
- Trail veterinarians must be present throughout the race unless released by the Chief Veterinarian.
Can-Am Crown Veterinarians 2019
The Chief Veterinarian for 2019 will be Nick Pesut, VMD (starikojn@yahoo.com) from Presque Isle, Maine.
Nick has been a trail veterinarian or chief veterinarian at every Can-Am Crown race since the beginning.
Can-Am Crown Trail Veterinarians for the 2019 races.
- Carine Bourrellis, DVM
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- Melanie Donofro, DVM
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- Laurie Dunbar, DVM
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- Cindy Fuhs, DVM
Bolton, Massachusetts
- Chelsea McMeekin, DVM
Presque Isle, Maine
- Jennifer Mirecki, DVM
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- Katie Monick DVM
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- Sheila Morrissey, DVM
Greenfield, Massachusetts
- Blakely Murrell-Liland, DVM
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- Andrea Pesut, VMD
Presque Isle, Maine
- Julia Simons, DVM
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- Sarah Sweet, DVM
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- Annie Tareila, DVM
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Author Stan Flagg