IKITAROD
Shriners Hospital for Children
Spokane
Ikitarod. Miracles on Four Feet, established in 1997, is a yearly event that takes place at Dr. Ed Lester's Big Foot Tree Farm northeast of Deer Park, Washington. Dog-sled rides are provided for outpatients from Shriners Hospitals for Children in Spokane, Washington. Participating children have a variety of neuromuscular or orthopedic disorders and most have limited mobility.
This year 21 dog teams provided ride after ride to more than 80 patients and siblings. As the following pictures will depict this event proved to be the experience of a lifetime for the kids as well as the mushers.
One of the primary work forces of the event is the El Katif MoonShriners Club who go to the site days before the event and make the ground suitable for vehicle parking and setting up tents and other facilities. Along with this club are the employees and volunteers at the Spokane Hospital who volunteer their weekend to go out and make the event a great success for the hospital patients.
Tomie Zuchetto, CTRS, Recreational Therapy, Shriners Hospital for Children, primary organizer of the Volunteers making some final plans.
A child getting acquainted with one of the dogs
Imperial Potentate, M. Burton Oien, making a visit to the Ikitarod and visiting with children and their parent.
Volunteers having fun with one of the special dogs.
Tent set up for some hot chili and barbecued hot dogs and a nice big fire to sit and warm up by after riding on the dog sleds.
Imperial Potentate Oien taking a ride on the dog sleds.
Potentate Bob Faulkner and Imperial Potentate Oien deciding who is going on the first ride.
If you haven't visited the Spokane Shriners Hospital for Children, put it on your schedule to make a visit there. There is always a Noble Shriner available to provide you with a tour of the Hospital.