A van with a California licence plate is not a common sight in Yellowknife.
But one showed up in town in March and it was because Jesika Reimer, who was born in the NWT capital, and Theresa OSA国际影视传媒 Gorman, her American friend, travelled to Yellowknife to compete in the Under Dog 100 sled dog race on the North Arm.
Reimer said they brought 12 dogs all the way to Yellowknife in the customized Sprinter van.
SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檝e been racing all winter, started from mid-January,SA国际影视传媒 Reimer said, adding that OSA国际影视传媒橤orman helps with the dogs, such as bringing gear at every check point, cleaning up and completing numerous other behind-the-scenes tasks.
OSA国际影视传媒橤orman and Reimer became friends through a online ad Reimer placed looking for a dog handler, and OSA国际影视传媒橤orman loves working with dogs.
Asked if she was a veterinarian, OSA国际影视传媒橤orman joked that she is a professional dog walker and poop scooper, adding that sheSA国际影视传媒檚 just fond of the animals.
Reimer said the van was built specifically for carrying dogs, but it also has a bed and table, so the pair can better enjoy the van life on the road.
The idea started four years ago in Alaska with six dogs, but with the difficulties of transporting dogs by plane, they decided to customize a van and a tow a trailer behind it to store other supplies.