43
Dog sled racing team visits Glenwood Middle
Photo
Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Shannon Miller (back) and Miles the dog (center) shared a smile with a group of Glenwood fifth-graders after their presentation at the school on Feb. 24. The students are, from left, Xander Wood, Llayn Gianotti, Gina DeGenaro, and Delaney LaBelle.
Photo
Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Diamond Dogs Racing owner Shannon Miller gave a presentation on the history of sled dog racing at Glenwood Middle School on Feb. 24. Miller showed a group of fifth-graders how she places a racing harness on one of her racing dogs, Miles, during the event.
Photo
Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Miles, an Alaskan Husky, visited Glenwood Middle School on Feb. 24 with his owner Shannon Miller. Miles was friendly with his new fifth-grade friends, even giving a kiss to Sophia McGee (left) a few moments before Miller's presentation began.
By SARAH FOOR
While learning about the Iditarod dog sled race in their social studies classes, the fifth-graders at Glenwood Middle School imagined the far-off and chilly Alaskan wilderness.
However, Shannon Miller and her Alaskan Husky, Miles, visited the school on Feb. 24 to show that dog sled racing happens here in Ohio as well.
Fifth-grade teacher Jenn Bartholomew was happy to invite Miller and Miles as a culminating activity for her fifth-graders’ lessons on the Iditarod.
“We’ve spent many weeks reading books, articles and participating in activities about the Iditarod. When we found that Shannon and her racing dogs live here in Ohio, it was a perfect way to bring the lesson to life,” Bartholomew said.
Miller introduced the fifth-graders to her 16-month-old Alaskan Husky, Miles, who recently finished his first 100-mile race with Miller the previous weekend.
Miller hosted an informative presentation where she taught students about dog sled racing throughout history, while particularly focusing on the Serum Run of 1925 that was the inspiration for the modern-day Iditarod.
One of Miller’s dog sleds was on display during the discussion and Miles the Husky was harnessed and attached to the sled’s tugline to give the students an idea of how the process worked.
Miller said she enjoyed visiting Glenwood to teach students about her work.
“It was a great chance to show students what I do and how much Miles enjoys what he does. I also like to tell the students to get active with their dogs at home – running or biking with a dog is a great way to start. It really is a great way to bond with an animal,” said Miller.