Whether you want to safely run with your dog or hook them up to a sled, a new group is spreading the word about dog-powered sports.
Jacob Betker, Megan Rasmussen and Chelsey Romain are working to set up the Timmins Dog-Powered Sports Association.
While the goal is to eventually bring a dog-sledding race back to the city, they also hope to build a community where they can share information on activities where dogs are harnessed.
Right now, they are raising money through an online fundraiser to help with the cost of incorporating.
Once there's an official association, they said they want to run workshops and get-togethers to get the word out about dog-powered sports, and how to take part safely.
“For me, I never would have gotten to the point where I am without actually trying it. I had a dog, she was crazy, so much energy and just all over the place. In the winter we struggled with activities,” Rasmussen recalled.
A local trainer was offering sessions that allowed her to test out harnesses.
“That opened up all of these doors...she’s a lab, she’s not a sled dog, she enjoyed getting outside with me. We didn’t go fast, we didn’t go far, we went on adventures. It was fun and it got us outside, and it got us outside in a controlled way."
Dog-powered sports are for all breeds of dogs.
And there are a number of options for activities.
It can range from running with your dog, mountain biking, skijoring, to a kick sled and full dog sled, and more.
For the trio behind Timmins Dog-Powered Sports association, the variety of activities have been a way to exercise their dogs and build bonds.
“And once your dogs are exercised, they’re not chewing your stuff up at home, well not as much,” Rasmussen said.
“You hear people with a dog and they don’t think that harness sports or sledding is a possibility or reality for them. So one of the main things I think we can accomplish is providing an avenue for people to test it out, try it out, talk about harness fitting, talk about the best way to test a dog or to have people come and help them. Because sometimes tying yourself to a harness dog who’s crazy and you’re on skis isn’t always the best idea...but it’s a great way to get out and exercise your dog and it’s actually really accessible once you get over that hump.”
It was dog sledding that allowed Romain to bond with one of her rescues.
“It wasn’t until I hooked him up to a sled that he started to trust me,” she said. “After that first sled ride was when Bodhi finally opened up and became my dog.”
Safety is an important aspect of what they want to do.
Making sure harnesses fit, and people understand the boundaries of when they should and shouldn't run their dog are key.
“A lot of people think you tie yourself up to a sled so the dogs can pull you and you can have fun. It’s 90 per cent for the dogs to get them out and active, the bond that you create is for both of you,” Rasmussen said.
In the longrun, running a local race is on their agenda.
“Realistically speaking we’re not going to get a race going this winter. What we were hoping to possibly do, which is still achievable, is to have a demonstration,” Betker said.
There is some negativity when it comes to dog sports.
“We can’t all be painted with the same brush. There’s going to be bad apples in every industry...this is us educating people on proper care,” Romain said.
“There’s all these other aspects of animal care that are going to be brought into this, that have to be brought into this when you’re talking about sports. Because in the end if you don’t have a happy and healthy dog, you don’t have a sport."
You can donate to the fundraiser here or stay up-to-date with their progress on Facebook.
They can be reached via email at [email protected].
