Manitou Crossing Handlers

Name: Arja Mönttinen Age: 23 Studying: Central Ostrobothnia Rural Institute, the Unit of Kannus, Kennels-sector. Home: Finland, Suomussalmi Studies: Graduated from High School, 2003 Wilderness and Nature Guide, 2004 Army, training military dogs, 2005 Me and my dogs: I have 5 own dogs: Piki, mixed breed, 10 years Kimi, mixed breed, 10 years Jere, mixed breed, 10 years Ina, Siberian husky, 8 years Frost, Samoyed, 6 years Then I also had a police patrol dog, German Shepherd 'Rasputin'. Training him was part of my studies. Me and sled dogs: I have worked as practical training in 3 different sled dog kennels, all together 5 months and I have experience in training and taking care of Siberian huskies, Samoyeds and Greenland dogs.
	Phil Morrison, from Northern Ireland, joined our team in January 2005. After a career of training police dogs and their handlers, he has made the transition to training sled dogs beautifully! Phil has made four trips over the ocean in 2 years! He is our main handler at the Beargrease and has done an excellent job training our younger race dogs. He brought a team of yearlings through their first race in Taquamonen, MI in January 2007. We have learned a lot from Phil, especially with his background in canine training and team building. THANK YOU PHIL!!
Cory handled full time at Manitou Crossing Kennels from Oct 2006 until April 2007. He assisted with training the race teams and did an excellent job trailing the crazy young yearlings! He ran a team of yearlings in the Fun Run and enjoyed several fishing trips with the dogs into the BWCA in March. The sweet litte Fiona/Trekkie female puppy is named after Cory's niece, Avery! ....NICE!!
John Vitek has been a great friend for years and began handling at races for us in 2003. We've learned a lot together! John and Judy have a great kennel of racing Siberians in North Branch, MN. Several of our most beloved dogs have spent time on John's team, including Biko, Emmie, Dewy, Ed, Rusty, and Petra. John and Judy are also critical to our research and development of better equipment and products. Thank you John and Judy!
" I have always enjoyed the North Shore, but never seriously considered relocating until I met Blake and Jen. It all started in January of 2005 when some friends and I drove from Sioux Falls, SD to Finland, MN to go snowmobiling. Like so many of our trips, we were plagued with mechanical failure. Blake's brother, Kirk, and their brother-in-law Ryan were along, so we decided to go to see the kennel. This was my first interaction with Siberians. I had never seen a group of dogs so energetic, so determined, yet each dog had a uniquely different personality. Well, 1 year and several unsuccessful snowmobile trips later, I shared with Blake my desire to get off the prarie and move to the Northwoods. Blake and Jen assured me that finding a job would not be a problem. It turns out they were right. I accepted the first job I was offered adn with no house or girlfriend to worry about, I was able to move to Two Harbors within weeks of accepting the job. Currently I spend my weekends at the kennel helping out in any way possible. I have made many new friends from near and far and look forward to meeting many more interesting people. Best of all, I get to spend a lot of time with the dogs, not to mention the kennel cats, Willy and Target." THINK SNOW and Happy trails! Karl
Lori Hedin has spent nearly every weekend during the Fall and Winter at Manitou Crossing Kennels since November of 2005. Lori has become one of our most trusted race handlers with her natural ability with the dogs. Lori spent some time on the runners this winter assisting with both the race teams and yearlings! THANK YOU LORI!
	Trent, Lori's son, has been helping out this year and has spent a lot of time socializing the pups.