Several prisoners at Hiland Mountain Correctional Center have been caring for dogs dropped from the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Some of the dogs, who are flown to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, stop over at the Eagle River prison until handlers from the mushers’ kennels can pick them up.
"We keep them fed. We hold them and make sure that they're comfortable," said Kim Dubie, an inmate who leads one of two teams that cares for the dogs. Several of the women involved call their involvement therapeutic.
Reina Valley said being part of the program rekindles a love of animals that she has missed while incarcerated. "It's been a few years, so to get back into enjoying being around dogs is a blessing," Valley said.
Hear more from the women involved in the program in this video.
Find full race coverage at adn.com/iditarod.