Bio

Born a winter lover, Anna stepped on the runners of a dogsled on a blustery lake in northern Minnesota and knew that her life was forever changed. She began working with sled dogs in both Minnesota and Alaska by guiding dog sled trips and sharing her passion for mushing with others. From 2018 to 2021 she raced and trained with Sawtooth Racing, a kennel owned by good friends in Grand Marais, Minnesota. Dreaming about someday running the Iditarod, Anna decided to make the dream a reality and moved to Alaska in 2022 to train for the Iditarod with Shameless Huskies Kennel. Anna completed her Iditarod qualifying races in 2023. When not training and racing dogs, Anna works as an ER nurse and wilderness guide leading expeditions for teens and fostering the adventurous spirit, resilience and self-empowerment in other young women that she herself learned through years of outdoor pursuits.

How did your kennel get its name?

Shameless Huskies was named by the kennel owner, Kathleen Frederick. It's a good story and she's the one to ask for it!

How did you get started running dogs?

I first stepped on the runners behind a six dog team on a blustery lake near the Boundary Waters in Minnesota, and I was instantly hooked.

What do you love most about running dogs?

I love building an individual relationship with each dog and find the mutual bond of trust between the dogs and musher incredibly rewarding.

Please share with us some stories or facts about your dogs that will be running in the 2025 YQ450.

Most of dogs on the team will be three, four, and five years old. In some ways it feels like we grew up together since I was relatively inexperienced with long distance racing when we all started we started training together in 2021. Regal who runs exclusively in wheel has the most beautiful trot. Brothers Rolls Royce and Beamer are the best of friends and always prefer to run next to each other. Ashley and Porsche make a phenomenal dynamic duo up in lead and are fearless especially around water. Aurora and Laurakins and Lambo are the cheerleaders.

Are you a member of any other organizations involved in sled dog sports?

nope

Why did you enter the 2025 YQ450 and what are your goals for the race?

I've been wanting to run the YQ450 for a couple of years now and am excited about running a new race on new trail! My goal is to finish with a happy and healthy dog team.

What music do you listen to on the trail?

Oh, I'm a big time Swiftie. The dogs must know the lyrics to most of her songs by now. If not Taylor Swift then I'll listen to anything that's a danceable bop to keep the sleepies away.

How did your dogs get their names/How do you choose names?

We have a litter named after luxury cars due to their expensive c-section delivery! Most of our dogs are named from themed litters based upon location or time of year that they were born. In the past couple of years we've had a Valentines litter, an Arctic litter, and July 4th litter.

Share a quick story about one of your indispensable Handlers.

My incredible handlers keep us all afloat. My favorite thing is watching my partner Emily attempting to park my team in deep snow. Talk about some impressive high knees sprinting!

Tell us about your favorite experience with a volunteer on the trail.

My dad volunteered in Takotna during Iditarod 2024 and checked in my team for our 24 hour rest. Seeing his familiar smiling face welcoming us was such a boost!