Offline 
Background
Location:
Anchorage, Alaska
United States
Anchorage, Alaska
United States
Work:
AARP Alaska Office Staff
AARP Alaska Office Staff
Hometown(s):
State Office - 3601 C Street #1420 Anchorage AK 99503
State Office - 3601 C Street #1420 Anchorage AK 99503
AARP and Dog Mushing?
by Edie Forest
Alaska Dog Mushers Association (ADMA)
“Trail!” (now 83 years old, and still racing) Val Mackler called to the dog team and driver ahead, as she skillfully guided her sled and her team of 4 senior sled dogs past her competitor, and raced toward the finish line, in the AARP Division, during a recent Alaska Dog Mushers Association (ADMA) speed mushing race.
Val, a retired school teacher, originally from New Zealand, and the AARP Division’s most senior musher, had just passed Edie Forest’s team of most senior dogs, including two 14 year olds and a 15 year old.
Until a few years ago, this scenario would never have occurred.
The AARP Division in speed or “Sprint” mushing, in Fairbanks, Alaska, “the dog mushing capital of the world”, was the brainstorm of two friends, Lynn Orbison, publisher/dog groomer, and Carol Kaynor, web developer/writer.
Lynn says that she “was impressed with Val Mackler and her ability to get out there and mush at her age”. Carol and Lynn each owned some senior race dogs who still loved to run, even if they lacked their former competitive speed. As Carol says, “They were always so sad when we left them behind on race day.”
So why not start a new division to accommodate older dogs and mushers, within the prescheduled competitive Challenge Series Races? Lynn approached AARP Alaska’s Ann Secrest, with the idea. Ann was immediately enthusiastic. AARP Alaska financially backed the endeavor and helped with promotion.
The first AARP Division was added to the 4-dog class in the 2001-2002 race season. AARP drivers competed for points in each race, and the driver with the most points in the series won the grand prize. Carol, and her now very happy senior dogs, won the championship!
Other businesses began donating prizes for the races: dog toys, treats, dog beds, vet care, etc. The community thought it was a great idea. Currently, Coldspot Feeds provides dog mushing specific prizes at discount prices.
A handicap system just for the AARP class, was developed, so that the older the musher and/or dogs, the more time would be shaved off the racer’s finish time. This helped level the playing field, and increase the suspense of who might win.
But the main thing about racing the AARP Division, is that fun is had by all. After the race, the math is done, and an award ceremony is held, with applause, prizes for everyone, laughter, and comradarie for senior dogs and mushers alike. The humans have as much fun bragging, as do the dogs barking.
Thank you, AARP Alaska! We are now in our 8th season of AARP Division Races, and still going strong! As Lynn Orbison says, “I’m hoping that we can all live so honestly and joyously, and be so happy and present throughout our entire lives…the dogs are excellent role models!”
For further information regarding the AARP Division, go to the Alaska Dog Mushers Association AARP Division on line at http://www.sleddog.org/ or contact Lynn Orbison at (907) 488-9685 or via email daisyacres@mosquitonet.com or Edie Forest at (907) 488-2436 or via email at standingbear@mosquitonet.com.
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