Mitch’s Story - Denali National Park
Introduction to this series about the importance of working dog teams
If you don’t know me, my name is Holly and I am passionate about working dogs. For years my passion has been misunderstood by many people, but I didn’t let that stop me from delving into the world of working dogs. Since 2018, I have been photographing working dog teams free of charge because I know two things to be true about working dog organizations:
There is never enough time
There are never enough resources
With this knowledge, I try to help working dog organizations to the best of my ability and strive to help educate the public about the importance of working dog teams, especially conservation detection dogs. Very few people know these organizations even exist, so I have made it my mission to shout from the roof tops.
Now, my voice is more important than ever because these working dog organizations are in peril due to the political landscape. By terminating essential employees from our National Parks and cutting government funding for scent detection programs to help endangered wildlife, the current administration is undercutting the very things that make our National Parks safe for visitors.
If these programs are cut, it hurts the DOGS too. While I am angered about humans being so blatantly disrespected and fired for “poor performance” at jobs they excel at, no one has given any thought to what will happen to the dogs. These working dogs can not become house dogs and I fear for their ultimate outcome.
That’s the motivation behind this series about the humans and the dogs that have been affected by the recent changes in the political landscape. While my opinion is mine to express as I wish, I understand that your opinion may be different. But, the stories I’m about to share with you are not my opinion. They are stories of humans and dogs who are directly affected.
K9 Ranger Mitch
K9 Ranger Mitch, in Denali National Park, showing off the new hitching post at one of the back country cabins.
Mitch is from Germantown Tennessee and has spent his entire adult life working outdoors. From being a white water rafting guide at many places along the east coast, to becoming a sled dog guide in Alaska, Mitch is one of those guys who loves being in the outdoors. Mitch spent two winters as a park ranger intern at Denali National Park. He spent five summers as a seasonal park ranger. It took him a lot of time and effort to get officially hired as a permanent K9 Ranger in December of 2024.
Although he had worked for the park for many years prior to being hired (at a job he already had been doing anyway), he was in his 90 day probationary period in his new, full time position. Tony and I had spent two weeks with Mitch in Denali in the fall of 2024, working with the dogs. He is hard working, very dedicated, smart and has a passion for the sled dogs that in unwavering. His favorite thing to do is go out with the dogs in the winter and sleep under the stars with them.
As we worked with Mitch and got to know him a bit better, we discovered he was working two jobs at the time. Full time at Denali and part time at another local sled dog kennel so he could make ends meet. Let me tell you, working with the dogs in Denali is a tough job on days the dogs train. It takes time and a lot of energy to load them into the truck, unload them from the truck, hook them to the sleds, run them for miles, return them to the truck and take them back to the yard. Mitch did all of that and then went to do his second job. It wasn’t easy, but he did because he loves the dogs.
The sled dogs of Denali aren’t there for fun. These dogs actually work in the park. Because the park is mostly designated wilderness, motorized vehicles aren’t allowed. The dogs, however, are. They haul in supplies, scientists and biologists who are studying wildlife in the park, they run supply hauls to the cabins in the back country and the run patrols of the park to make sure the park visitors are safe. This work is essential to keep the park going. In turn, Mitch’s job was also deemed essential. Along with being deemed “essential” Mitch was also designated as “Required Occupant”….meaning, he was needed at the park!
Mitch and the dogs participating in fall training. The passenger adds essential weight to the sled to help the dogs get in shape. Plus, it’s fun!
On February 16th, 2025, Mitch was terminated from his job under the guise of “poor performance”. Nothing could be further from the truth in Mitch’s case. After working with him for 2 weeks, his performance was nothing short of spectacular! His superiors agree with my assessment, but Mitch is out of a job, with no recourse. His second job has since been eliminated as the sled dog kennel has close down. On February 16th, 2025 22o,ooo federal employees of National Parks lost their jobs for the exact same reason…”poor performance”. Do you believe they were not doing their jobs well? I don’t.
Fall training with Mitch at the helm.
At any given time, there are 30 dogs in the yard at Denali National Park. Right now, as far as I am aware, there are only 2 full time employees and 2 interns taking care of the dogs. The full time K9 Rangers are experienced dog handlers, while the interns are learning the ropes. That’s 4 humans tending to the needs of 30, high energy working dogs. Without Mitch, the park has lost not only a kennel hand, but an experienced musher. I am sure that the kennel feels the loss deeply. I am also sure that the dogs miss him.
I have concerns about the fate of the park, but, more importantly, I am very concerned about the fate of the dogs. What if the sled dog program is also eliminated? This program is over 102 years old and it serves a purpose! Without it, Denali National Park might not be able to operate in the winter.
Mitch and Tony, bear proofing one of the cabins for the winter.
Mitch’s story is happening all over the United States, not just in Alaska. Mitch was recently featured on a podcast and can share his story in detail. Have a listen.
But, what will happen to the dogs? This is an unknown at this point. Normally, the dogs retire at age 9 and are adopted by humans who understand the needs of these working dogs. They love to be outdoors, they love the snow and they have boundless energy. Unfortunately, they do not make for chilled out house pets. If the sled dog program manages to stay funded and operational, the dogs will still have their jobs, but, with diminished man power, they will not be working at the full potential. I am concerned they will become bored and destructive. That kind of behavior does not bode well for any dog. I am sincerely hoping for the best and have even offered my time and experience as a volunteer for the summer to help ease the burden on the K9 rangers, but I’ve yet to be taken up on the offer. Time will tell. I do have a trip planned in the fall to go back and work, but Mitch won’t be there.
Do you want to help? As Mitch says “An ant can't do much by itself, but the whole colony can devour a moose!” He encourages people to become part of the solution. There’s even a Facebook page for it: https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/letsbepartofthesolution
Contact your local legislators and add your two cents.
If you are unconcerned about the humanity part of these stories, I ask you to consider the dogs and how this will affect them. Without their humans having jobs, neither do the dogs. Do you know what happens to working dogs who don’t have a job? (Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that).