Nature's Kennel Sled Dog Racing & Adventures - Racing

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Friday, September 10th, 2010

Nature's Kennel

PO Box 5
McMillan, MI 49853
Tel: 1-906-748-0513
Email: info@natureskennel.com

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Help Wanted
Nature’s Kennel Guides
We are looking for hard working, motivated dog people to assist in training sled dogs, guiding dog sledding tours, entertaining guests on overnight adventures and giving dog sled rides at a prestigious ski resort. Our kennel is very remote, located eight miles from a paved road, fifteen miles from “town”, and five miles from the power grid and phone line. This is certainly a place to get away from it all. If you feel the need to be constantly “connected” via cell phone and computer, this is not the place for you. However, if you are a can-do person, who loves the outdoors, working with dogs, taking on new challenges, and meeting new people, this is a great adventure for you.
Here’s some of what you can expect as a guide:
• Feeding, watering and “scooping” (yes, that means cleaning up dog poop) for the 16-24 dogs you are responsible for in the mornings and evenings.
• Running dogs with the four-wheeler (in the fall) or the sled (in winter). Depending on the time of the season, this could be a short 3 mile run in September to a longer 30-40 mile run in January or February.
• In the fall, since it can be somewhat warm for running dogs in the afternoons, we work on projects around the property which can include things from repairing equipment, light construction projects, camp preparation for tours, etc.
• You will also be expected to chip in with the chores in shared spaces and camp such as doing dishes, chopping/hauling firewood, and cleaning.
• You will need to help with snow removal and trail grooming. We get nearly 300 inches of snow, so you will be come very proficient with our snowmobile and our tractor with the snowblower!
• Once winter tours begin, you will be host, tour guide and trail guide for winter tour guests. Check out our winter adventures page for more details on the tours you will be guiding. This is the most challenging yet rewarding aspect of the position!
• You can expect change…no two days are the same, and plans can change quickly. Tour guests, the weather, and dogs, are all factors that may effect even the best laid plans. You will need to be flexible!
• Guides are expected to help with puppy training and socialization.
• You can also expect to fall in love with many of the dogs on your team, change the lives of guests on your tours, and to have a new appreciation of winter.
Guide positions run from September 1st through May 1st. Wages, tips, and room and board are provided. Our guide housing is warm and rustic and is a shared living space with both males and females. There will be the possibility of living without running water. You will receive scheduled days off. However, you will be expected to work all winter holidays. You may receive Christmas Day off, but do not expect to be able to leave for an extended time over the holidays as it is our busiest time of the season. There is not access to cell phone and internet service. Our lives, especially in the winter months, revolve around the dogs. Just about everything we do in the winter is about dogs, for dogs, or related to dogs. Sled dogs or something relating to sled dogs will be the topic of most conversations. We have very high standards of dog care and expect the same from our guides. Much of our time in the fall includes training, of both humans and dogs, our expectations and training methods. We set very high expectations for ourselves, our dogs, and our staff. This will most likely be the hardest, yet most rewarding, adventure you will embark upon.
If you are still interested in this amazing winter adventure, give us a call at 906-748-0513 with any questions. Otherwise, e-mail your resume with three references to info@natureskennel.com.

Help Wanted
Nature’s Kennel Handler
We are looking for a person interested in assisting Nature’s Kennel race teams with all tasks from fall training, winter training, racing, and spring clean up. Interest in dog care and maintenance is a must, though no previous experience is required. A handler must love dogs, be physically fit (capable of lifting at least 65 lbs or a dog into a dog box), be clean and presentable, capable of updating the website with photos and journal entries, and be a MORNING PERSON. Your tasks will vary depending on the time of year.
In the fall your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Meeting and getting to know all dogs
Assisting in training the dogs on ATVs
Helping with tasks around the kennel

During winter training, a handler can expect to be responsible for preparing for races, which includes:

Slicing meat
Packing gear
Caring for dogs at the kennel and on the road
Driving a truck and large trailer

There is no guarantee that you will be running dogs during the winter months.

At races, you will be responsible for:

Driving truck and trailer to checkpoints
Preparing for teams’ arrivals at checkpoints
- Parking spot ready, sheltered (if possible)
- Meat, water, and straw easily accessible to musher
- Sitting with musher while eating
- Making sure musher sleeps and wakes up at appropriate times
- Watching dogs while musher sleeps

During the races, all traveling expenses are covered while supporting our racing for two months along the West Coast in states such as Montana, California, and Alaska. In addition, you will have the opportunity to stay in Alaska during the month of March caring for extra and potentially dropped dogs during the Iditarod. A handler is needed from September 1^st through May 1^st. You will receive room, board, and two months of free travel, but it is not a paid position. If you are still interested in this amazing winter opportunity, give us a call at 906-748-0513 with any questions. Otherwise, e-mail your resume with three references to info@natureskennel.com.

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