Laura Allaway, 33, was born and raised in Whitefish Bay, a suburb of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She began working with dogs in high school, working at the local humane society. From ages 17 to 25, she worked at a doggy day care in the City. “Wanting to try something new, in 2007, I headed to Alaska to work as a summer horseback tour guide for Alaska Excursions. That was where I was first introduced to dog mushing. After seeing a team of dogs working together, my life was forever changed.” She returned to Milwaukee for the winter to “pack up my life and two dogs”, and moved back to Alaska to stay. After a second summer with Alaska Excursions, she headed north to Chena Hot Springs where she learned to drive sleds and work as a dog mushing tour guide. “Three and a half years later, because I wanted to try my hand at mid distance racing, I began working at Dave Monson’s Trail Breaker Kennel in Fairbanks. I’ve been there ever since, guiding tours during the summer months and training and racing the Trail Breaker dogs during the winter months.” Along the way, “I have acquired ten wonderful sled dogs and two pet dogs.” She says she’s met a whole lot of knowledgeable and inspirational people, and without their help, “I would not be where I am today.”