Research Survey Musher-Sled Dog Bond

Jul 1, 2025

If you’d like to help participate in a sled dog research survey created by Dr Heather Huson, please check out the following info.

Dr Huson is a former competitor who now studies sled dog genetics. Some of you may know her from previous studies. This survey is open to everyone current or former mushers, and takes about 30 min to complete. This will also be sent as email to members. Feel free to share with other mushers!

Calling all Dog Mushers!

“I would like your help in telling the story of the human – animal bond between mushers and their dogs. Specifically, I want to know not only what sled dogs provide their mushers but also what the sled dogs get out of this bond with their musher. Anyone who runs sled dogs is welcome to participate. You can be active or retired, I want to hear from you!

My name is Heather Huson (former last names of Carbaugh and Cox). I grew up competitively racing sprint dogs for over 25 years in the United States and Canada. I served on the board of directors for the Pennsylvania Sled Dog Club, the New England Sled Dog Club, the Alaska Sled Dog Association, and the International Sled Dog Racing Association. I am now an Associate Professor at Cornell University (Ithaca, NY, USA) within the Department of Animal Sciences. My research primarily focuses on the genetics of working dogs, livestock, and wildlife to better understand their evolution, population, and how genetics influence health and behavior. My goal is to improve animal health and management through understanding and applying genetic tools. I no longer race dogs but stay active in the community with my research and friends. As a dog enthusiast and former dog musher, I am expanding my research to better understand the bond between humans and dogs, especially that between working dogs and their handlers. I am starting with you, the sled dog community, to begin this venture. I want to tell the story of the relationship between dog musher and their dogs.

 
My research team includes myself, Dr. Jon Bowen, a veterinarian from the Royal Veterinary College, Dr. Jaume Fatjὀ, a veterinarian at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, and veterinary student Sayaka Mochizuki, from the Royal Veterinary College. Drs. Bowen and Fatjὀ have conducted similar studies of the human – animal bond with publications relating to this relationship during COVID-19 and relevance among homeless peoples.
 
Please participate in our research survey and share it with other dog mushers. Participation is voluntary, consent is required, and you can quit the survey at any time. Results are confidential with no personal identifiers connected to the survey responses. The goal is to publish this in a peer-reviewed research journal and to share with the sled dog community. Note that the survey will likely take 30 minutes depending upon the detail of your responses and asks for typed answers to some questions (ie. a computer or tablet will be easiest to use but a cell phone will also work). Some survey questions may seem unusual for dog mushers but mimic similar questions in more common pet owner – dog relationships so that we can compare results.
 
To participate in the survey, please follow this link: https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics.com/…/SV_8J2GRhNEKXpon0G
Please contact Dr. Heather Huson at hjh3@cornell.edu with any questions or concerns. This research survey has been granted exemption determination approval from the Cornell Human Protections Office.