As U.S. athletes are preparing and training for the Winter Olympics, elite canine athletes are gearing up for their own worldwide sporting event.  On Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 4 p.m., Dr. Doug Aichele and his dogs Gumbie and Vulcan will visit children at the Stillwater Public Library to share the rigors of preparing for the Iditarod, a yearly 1000 mile trek over the cold Alaskan terrain. 

"This event, ‘Iditarod Tales,’ fits in perfectly with our Winter Reading Program," said Elizabeth Murray, children’s librarian. "Our theme this year is the Olympics, so children will be going for the gold in reading while also learning about Dr. Aichele’s dogs who have competed in their own Olympic-type races.”

Aichele uses Gumbie and Vulcan, both Alaskan Huskies, to educate children about math and science, while instilling respect for canine athletes.  Gumbie is a retired veteran of the Iditarod and Yukon quest races.  Vulcan, Gumbie’s son, is also a sled dog racer. Aichele is a former Regent’s Professor of Mathematics at Oklahoma State University and has used his passion for sled dogs to contribute research on the subject. 

“Iditarod Tales” is targeted to grade school children, but the program is free and open to people of all ages.  No registration is required.

For more information, visit the library's website at library.stillwater.org, contact the library Help Desk at (405) 372-3633 or email askalibrarian@stillwater.org.