Camping in a tent on the ground where dozens of sled dogs were brutally killed during a cull and working to rehabilitate 86 of the remaining animals is hard for Jessica Gibson of Roberts Creek to put into words.
It was incredibly difficult emotionally, Gibson said, home from a nearly four-month stint with the sled dogs in Whistler.
The animals she cared for were the remnants of a giant pack of sled dogs that once belonged to Howling Dog Tours Whistler Inc.
In 2010, following a downturn in bookings for sled dog tours, an employee killed 56 of the sled dogs when a veterinarian refused to euthanize the healthy animals.
Court proceedings followed, and in December 2011, animal advocates created a company called Whistler Sled Dog Co. to get the remaining dogs working again.
After running the tour business for two seasons, it was deemed unprofitable, and the Whistler Sled Dog Co. changed its mandate.
Unofficially, it is to prepare our sled dogs and re-home them into their best possible situations, keeping in mind that each dog is unique, the company's website states.
With the new mandate and many dogs needing attention, assessment and training, Whistler Sled Dog Co. looked for outside help.
That's when Gibson stepped in.
Shannon Broderick, director of operations of Whistler Animals Galore (WAG) and board member for the Whistler Sled Dog Co., contacted me when the decision was made to re-home all 86 sled dogs and asked if I would like to assist with the project, Gibson said.
With schooling in animal welfare and experience in pet adoption from various shelters, Gibson agreed.
Her job was to help decide which dogs could make the transition to household pets and to help them get used to simple comforts like sleeping inside.
Gibson camped in a tent at the kennel on the mountain in Whistler where much of the pack was culled and spent every waking moment with the dogs.
It was never boring, she said.
The sled dogs were so used to working for a living and sleeping outside that simply curling up beside a person was odd to them.
The majority of dogs were not used to sleeping indoors or familiar with the comforts of domestic living, Gibson said.
She also noticed many of the dogs were scared of the dark.
As soon as the sun went down, the anxiety in the dogs would go up, she said.
Gibson spent her days getting to know the dogs and their personalities and introducing them to new things that are commonplace for most pets.
Some of the dogs were adopted during Gibson's time with them, while some were sent to various shelters like WAG in Whistler and the Sunshine Coast SPCA.
Gibson took home two dogs to foster herself, Jet and Oilers, described as incredibly gentle and affectionate.
She said the dogs are currently working on overcoming their shyness and learning about the perks of living in a home, and that they are adjusting more and more each day and are starting to look quite comfortable by the fire.
She encourages others to consider adopting one of the sled dogs looking for a home.
Being part of their transformation and being able to see their progression over time is a very special experience, she said.
Find out more at www.whistlersleddogco.com.
