Veterinarian Team
The veterinarians will look after the dogs best interests, from the time the dogs are inspected the day before the start of the competition until the team reaches the finish line.
Veterinarians will be on hand for drivers and dogs at each checkpoint where they can provide professional advice and guidance to each driver. Dogs taken out of competition are cared for by a veterinarian on site and can receive treatment if needed.
When the last team has crossed the finish line, the veterinarians select the driver who they believe took the best care of their dogs during the 350 km long competition. The “Best dog care” award is a much appreciated feature in connection with the award ceremony and the winner of the award always goes home as a proud driver.
Hanna Smedstad
Chief Veterinarian
Sweden
Hanna from Östersund works everyday as a animal health veterinarian mainly with farm animals.
She has many years of experience as race veterinarian during Femundløpet, Finnmarksløpet, Polardistans, Amundsen Races in 2017,2018, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 and also as Chief Veterinarian at Vildmarksracet.
She has many years of experience as race veterinarian during Femundløpet, Finnmarksløpet, Polardistans, Amundsen Races in 2017,2018, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 and also as Chief Veterinarian at Vildmarksracet.
Veronika Wrabel
Veterinarian
Sweden
Veronika works as a clinical veterinarian in Östersunds animal hospital and is a specialist in dogs and cats and has a ESAVS Master in Neurology.
Veronika is also an experienced race veterinarian.
Race Vet Experiences:
Finnmarkslöpet 2019, 2020
Femundlöpet 2020
WSA world championship 2022
Beaver trap trail 2024
Amundsen Race 2025
Veronika is also an experienced race veterinarian.
Race Vet Experiences:
Louise Guevara
Veterinarian
Sweden
Louise is from Östersund originally but is living and working i Kolmarden since 2011.
She has her own small animal clinic together with her husband and has experience with many different animals during her long career as a zoo veterinarian.
She has an interest in outdoor activities and long distance training with her own dog, a Hungarian Vizsla.
Previous experience as a race veterinarian is from Amundsen race in 2008, 2009, 2025 and Åredraget 2025
She has her own small animal clinic together with her husband and has experience with many different animals during her long career as a zoo veterinarian.
She has an interest in outdoor activities and long distance training with her own dog, a Hungarian Vizsla.
Previous experience as a race veterinarian is from Amundsen race in 2008, 2009, 2025 and Åredraget 2025
Zita Birlie
Veterinarian
Denmark
I run my own clinic with a special focus on the musculoskeletal system and functional rehabilitation.
I have previous experience as a race veterinarian at Finnmarksløpet 2024 and will join Amundsen Race for the first time in 2026.
I'm passionate about canine locomotion and look so much forward to experiencing the Amundsen Race.
I have previous experience as a race veterinarian at Finnmarksløpet 2024 and will join Amundsen Race for the first time in 2026.
I'm passionate about canine locomotion and look so much forward to experiencing the Amundsen Race.
Claire (Tuppence) Mellish
Veterinarian
United Kingdom
My name is Claire, although everyone knows me as Tuppence.
I am a mixed animal vet from the UK. I love travel and have been lucky enough to work in Canada, New Zealand, the Falkland Islands and the UK.
I have a passion for the outdoors and exploration and have spent time in Greenland and Arctic Canada as part of a rowing expedition. It is on that trip that I fell in love with the polar environment.
I have never worked on a sled dog race but am very excited to be a part of the Amundsen Race team and hope to learn lots from the Mushers and to make new friends and enjoy new experiences.
I am a mixed animal vet from the UK. I love travel and have been lucky enough to work in Canada, New Zealand, the Falkland Islands and the UK.
I have a passion for the outdoors and exploration and have spent time in Greenland and Arctic Canada as part of a rowing expedition. It is on that trip that I fell in love with the polar environment.
I have never worked on a sled dog race but am very excited to be a part of the Amundsen Race team and hope to learn lots from the Mushers and to make new friends and enjoy new experiences.
Erica Van Eekeren
Vet Assistant and Animal Physiotherapist
The Netherlands
I’m very happy to assist the vet team at the Amundsen Race again as an animal physiotherapist!
Treating and rehabilitating sporting dogs is my passion, and sled dogs have captured my heart for many years!
In addition to the usual treatment methods of massage, mobilization and rehabilitation training, I’m specialized in the application of dry needling, kinesiotaping and lasertherapy.
Several mushers have already found their way to me in Månsberg, especially for a preventive check-up of their dogs. After all, “prevention is better than cure”!
I’m looking forward to meet you at Amundsen Race: Have fun and good mush!
In addition to the usual treatment methods of massage, mobilization and rehabilitation training, I’m specialized in the application of dry needling, kinesiotaping and lasertherapy.
Several mushers have already found their way to me in Månsberg, especially for a preventive check-up of their dogs. After all, “prevention is better than cure”!
I’m looking forward to meet you at Amundsen Race: Have fun and good mush!
Sandra Tillmann
Vet Assistant and Dog Physiotherapist & Osteopath
Germany
My name is Sandra Tillmann and I live in Germany, where I work as a canine physiotherapist with additional training in osteopathy.
In my practice, I also incorporate laser therapy, dry needling, neurodynamics, and various other therapeutic techniques to support dogs in their health and performance.
I share my life with six Siberian Huskies and have been active in sled dog sports for more than 20 years.
In the past, I competed in races in Germany myself, including the Long Trail Tettau and Dobel—back when we still had enough snow for such events.
I have also been serving as the 2nd Chairwoman of the DSLT – Deutscher Schlittenhundesportclub für Langstreckenrennen und Touren.
In 2024, I joined the Team at the Amundsen Race for the first time, and I am excited to return again.
I wish all participants the very best of success and above all, healthy dogs.
In my practice, I also incorporate laser therapy, dry needling, neurodynamics, and various other therapeutic techniques to support dogs in their health and performance.
I share my life with six Siberian Huskies and have been active in sled dog sports for more than 20 years.
In the past, I competed in races in Germany myself, including the Long Trail Tettau and Dobel—back when we still had enough snow for such events.
I have also been serving as the 2nd Chairwoman of the DSLT – Deutscher Schlittenhundesportclub für Langstreckenrennen und Touren.
In 2024, I joined the Team at the Amundsen Race for the first time, and I am excited to return again.
I wish all participants the very best of success and above all, healthy dogs.
Comments (0)
You must be logged in to post a comment.