AR Veterinarians

Steinar Dagestad

Chief veterinarian

Norway

Steinar Dagestad graduated as a veterinarian at the Norwegian Veterinary College in 1994. Steinar started at Evidensia Oslo Animal Hospital in 2017.

Steinar is a Long-term competition veterinarian for sleddog races at home and abroad

Arno Roos

Veterinarian

The Netherlands

I'm a veterinarian since 1997, my main interests are cardiology and oncology. since 2007 I'm atending a Msc Clinicoal Oncology study in Birmingham. My dissertation subject is the serum proteomic profile in canine lymphoma patients.
My other interest is sled dog sport, therefor I'm veterinarian of the FISTC (international sled dog organisation).
My hobbies are squash and (mountain) marathon running,

Hanna Smedstad

Veterinarian

Sweden

Hanna Smedstad has several years of experience from both the Femundløpet, Finnmarksløpet, Polardistans and Amundsen races in 2017 & 2018.

Sergio Maffi

Veterinarian

Italy

Sergio Maffi, DVM Born in Palazzolo sull'Oglio (Brescia), he graduated in Veterinary Medicine at the State University of Milan in 1987. Since 2010 he has also been licensed as a Veterinarian in Norway and Sweden. Since 1988 he has been medical director and owner of a veterinary clinic for dogs and cats, mainly interested in sports and work dog medicine (Sleddog, Canicross, Agility, Coursing, Search and rescue), nutrition and general and orthopedic surgery.

Over the past 15 years Sergio has also worked as a Race Veterinarian in numerous other long distance dog sledding competitions in North America Yukon Quest, Race to the sky, Hudson Bay Quest, Norway Finnmarkslopet 1200 km and Femundlopet 600 km and in Sweden AmundsenRace and Beaver-Trap Trail.

Eike-Jan Koster

Driver / Vet Assistant

The Netherlands

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 300 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.

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