MEET THE MUSHER

Melissa grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio where she was enamored with sled dogs from a young age, first learning about them from an artist she followed online. Through two trips to Alaska, she learned about the Alaskan Husky. In 2015, she met a local musher in Ohio and discovered dryland and urban mushing, and was instantly hooked. After a season bikejoring her friend's dogs, Melissa purchased her first Alaskan husky Ziggy. Melissa spent several years in Ohio training and racing until the thought of another season without snow became unbearable. So she moved to northern Wisconsin in 2021 to pursue mid-distance racing. From her new home, Melissa was able to expand her kennel into a mid-distance kennel and compete in longer races.

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Melissa graduated from Kent State University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a minor in Art History. She runs a business from home, selling her artwork online and at conventions, which allows her to spend as much time as she does training dogs.

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