Dr. Stuart Nelson, Jr. DVM at the burled arch in Nome March 2014 (Photo by Terrie Hanke)

Stu Nelson, a soft spoken man, but a giant in the world of sled dogs and adventure, passed away unexpectedly in late September near his home in northern Idaho.  Dr. Stu Nelson has served Iditarod – both sled dogs and mushers for 38 years.  Iditarod is all about the dogs and so was Nelson!  He’s as much of an Iditarod icon as 6-time champion Dallas Seavey, Susan Butcher and her celebrated leader Granite and Lance Mackey who owns two same year victories in the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod.

Nelson earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Missouri School of Veterinary Medicine.  He was especially interested in the animal athlete.  In 1985, he responded to an ad seeking Iditarod trail vets.  For a man who was enamored by the vast beauty of Alaska, intrigued by the wild rivers and dedicated to the animal athlete, this was an opportunity that brought it all together. 

Dr. Nelson served as a trail vet for nine years then accepted the position of chief veterinarian in 1995.  His work is marked with research advancing the care of racing sled dogs and education of both vets and mushers in the science and care of sled dogs.  Nelson’s long tenure as Iditarod’s chief veterinarian is attributed to his skill, knowledge and unflappable personality.   His driving mission was to create programs and protocols to safeguard the health of the competing athletes – it’s all about the dogs!

Early in his veterinary career Nelson worked with race horses but his animal athlete focus shifted to sled dogs after working as an Iditarod trail vet.  He has contributed to numerous studies of the canine athlete.  The information gleaned from studies related to cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal health and sled dog nutrition have benefited not only sled dogs but pets around the world.  His work with the prevention of gastric ulcers in sled dogs profoundly impacted their racing care and performance.

Nelson Awaits Aliy Zirkle’s Vet Book in McGrath March 2012 (Photo by Terrie Hanke)

While Dr. Nelson maintained a practice in Idaho, he referred to his job with Iditarod as “a full-time, part-time job.”  During the race, he supervised all aspects of the veterinary program including a team of 45 to 50 vets, a large number of veterinary techs, the pee-team and returned dogs.  In an average year Nelson and his volunteer staff would be responsible for the well-being of 1,000 canine athletes.

With the breadth of the Iditarod Veterinary program, Stu designated responsibility to key individuals to keep every aspect of Iditarod canine healthcare operating smoothly.  He couldn’t be everywhere at once but even so, Nelson had his finger on the pulse of all things canine –  for him it was all about the dogs!

Nelson organized his vets to serve in the checkpoints along the trail.  He handled training for new and returning veterinarians prior to each race.  He supervised canine athlete physicals which included pre-race blood work, EKG’s and physical exams.  If any abnormalities surfaced, Nelson contacted the mushers.  During the race he was in the checkpoints along the trail keeping a watchful eye on anything and everything related to the well-being of the dogs.

In Nome, Dr. Nelson was at the finish line for every team arriving at any hour of the day or night.  He assessed the dogs, spoke with the mushers and collected the vet books.  Then a group of vets,  designated by Nelson, would go to work evaluating the top 20 finishing teams for the Seppala Humanitarian award.  It was always a proud moment for Nelson to present the Seppala award at the Nome Finisher’s Banquet.

The good doctor really liked a bowl of steaming hot oatmeal for breakfast.  Cooks in various checkpoints like Reb in Unalakleet and Deb-ski in Nome, prepared oatmeal when he was in town.  He obviously appreciated their effort and thanked them.  He never took a long time over breakfast or any other meal, but he really enjoyed his oatmeal. 

As an adventurer, Nelson was famous for his solo wilderness rafting trips.  In 2010 he had to call upon his well-honed survival skills when he became stranded on a river deep in the Yukon Territory wilderness.  Nelson lost his kayak, his gear and his food when he was caught by a river sweeper while on a late August trip.  Using the few items he had in his pockets Nelson constructed a windbreak, built and maintained a smokey fire, caught fish, harvested rose hips to eat and waited.  After 14 days of surviving in rain and cool fall temperatures on minimal nutrition, canoeists came down the river and found a grizzled, gaunt Nelson who was very happy to re-connect with the human race.  Always the teacher, he shared what he learned through this experience with mushers telling them, “It’s not survival gear unless it’s on your body.”

Dr. Nelson took his role as educator very seriously.  Not only did he conduct sessions for his vets and the mushers but he did an excellent job of educating race fans, educators and the public using language a lay person could understand.  He spoke at the Winter and Summer Iditarod Educator Conferences.  He shared his knowledge about the incredible sled dog through articles published in professional journals, the Iditarod Race Guide and in the Dog Care section of Iditarod’s webpage.  Mushers have always appreciated his availability to answer their questions anytime of the year.

Race director and former race marshal, Mark Nordman, has known Stu Nelson for nearly 4 decades. Nordman raced when Nelson served as a trail vet and also after he became Chief Vet. In their positions with Iditarod, Mark and Stu worked together for the good of the canine athletes.  Saying he was in shock over Nelson’s sudden death, Nordman told Alaska Public Media, “His passion for these dogs is bar none.  He would always make sure we got the right outcome for the dogs.  He’s going to be dearly missed.”

The Iditarod Nation extends heartfelt condolences to all of Stu’s family, friends, loved ones and the veterinary community. The expertise he gave to Iditarod and his personal presence during Iditarod were great gifts to the Iditarod Nation.  Stu, there’s no way to sufficiently thank you for your service.  As inadequate as it is, THANK YOU and may you rest in peace.  God Speed!