She's an engineer that lives in Grass Valley and has a passion for pooches and a commitment to a sport that combines both. Barbara Schaefer has been dogsledding for over six years and was awarded the International Sled Dog Association Gold Medal for mid distance racing last year. She treats her dogs as though they were family grooming, feeding and training all 20 of them almost daily.

The dog sled racing season starts in January and February but the intensive training starts in September for this dog team. With the help of friend and training partner Bill Wilkinson, Barbara and her team are in tip top shape with one team of the 6 to 8 dogs she races and another team "the doggy bag team" training right along side.

Dog Sled training in Grass Valley would normally pose as a problem for most since there is hardly any snow. That doesn't stop Barbara and Bill. Together they train their dogs on dirt using All Terrain Vehicles or ATVs. Barbara says it's just as if someone was training for a marathon . . . the dogs are building muscle and getting stronger and faster each time they go out.

Most people associate dog sledding with the popular Alaskan 1,049 mile race called the Iditarod. Although Barbara is a competitive racer, she doesn't have her sights set on that race but is focusing on a smaller one in Oregon where she's able to rest and relax with her dogs and race at the same time.

For Barbara her dogs are her pets and family first and foremost and the training and dog sledding comes second. It's a hobby she has a passion for and will continue to do for as long as she and the dogs are able.

For more information, contact Barbara Schaefer at (530) 273-4894.