North Hope Sled Dog Center

North Hope Sled Dog Center Fundraiser!

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:22:25 +0000

Support the North Hope Sled Dog Center Fundraiser! Go to www.nordhope.com/donate, make your donation via PayPal, make a comment on what type of the calendar you’d like to have and get one of these wonderful NH Calendars. For just 1$ you will get a link for a nice printable version, for 3$ you’ll get a great print (shipping cost is not included). The calendars are available in several designs and two languages (English and Russian). Hurry up! The number of printed calendars is limited!

Thank you in advance!

admin — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:01:50 +0000

In the chilly morning of February 19 eminent mushers and the best sled dog teams of the country accompanied with the loud barking of the rivals’ dogs and excited shout of supporters will cross the starting line of another 250 km adventure through the horizonless whiteness named North Hope Stage Sled Dog Race 2012. Stamina, passion, trust, faith, intuition, fearlessness, care and surely LOVE will determine the winners’ chances.

The 6^th traditional annual North Hope Stage Sled Dog Race 2012 will take place on Feb.19-25, 2012 on the territory of the North Hope Sled Dog Center in Kostroma region, Russia. The veterans as well as the rookies are expected among the participants: the first ones – to defend their lead, the latter – to try themselves and their 4-legged athletes. The participants will have to run a 250 km distance through thick pine woods, fields and swamps, crossing the frozen taiga rivers. A challenging night run will sort out the weak. Skijjorers will dare to run the same distance alongside with mushers and their 6-dog teams.

North Hope Sled Dog Center was founded on the basis of the orphanage at St.Nicholas parish of Russian Orthodox Church as means of social and psychological rehabilitation of orphan kids. Today the center offers a wide range of children-oriented programs like canine therapy projects for orphans, a program of developing personality potential for the physically challenged kids, etc . The North Hope Race was initially started for the benefit of orphan children and today all the money gained at the race goes to implement children programs of the center.

Junior mushers will have a chance to participate in a junior race called Little North Hope Race 2012 absolutely free of charge which will be held on Feb.24. On Feb. 22 the mushers will be giving charity rides for the challenged kids and children from the local orphanage. The art exhibition of crafts by the children from the NH center named “Sled Dogs Through Kids Eyes” and a photo exhibition called “North Hope” by volunteer photographers shooting pictures of North Hope Race since 2007 will be organized within the frameworks of the race as well.

Traditionally, the race will be held with the help and support and oversight of the two legends of the sled dogs in North America and dear friends of North Hope – Terry Hinesly (Race Marshal) and Caroline Griffitts (Chief Vet). For many years on they’ve been putting North Hope Race into their schedule right between the greatest races on Earth – the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest.

The North Hope Race is a unique event in the world of sled dogsas for 6 years it’s been put on with God’s help merely by a bunch of enthusiasts consisting of the graduates from the North Hope orphanage, workers and friends of the center under the keen guidance of a nun – Mother Paraskeva, the Race President and the founder of the center. Besides, North Hope was the first in the European part of Russia that managed to bring international mushers and open the doors for Russin mushers to get knowledge and skills and exchange experience with mushers from the US, Canada and Australia.

Who will be the next incumbent of the North Hope challenged trophy – a Crystal Snowflake and the title of the North Hope Race 2012 Champion? What surprises will mushers run into on their way to the finish line? – You’d better come and see with your own eyes..

If you’d like to witness the ancient magic union of a man, a dog and white snow, take a dive into the atmosphere of the unprecedented love and kindness, see the charm of the Russian back country, challenge the Russian snow and mush for a cause – you’re welcome on board of the North Hope Race 2012!

For further details visit http://nordhope.com/races/2012-2

A story about the North Hope Race 2011 in Mushing Mag!

admin — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:37:45 +0000

Check out the a story about the 5th International North Hope Stage Sled Dog Race 2011 published in Sept/Oct issue of the Mushing Mag!

Read the story

Or visit www.mushing.com and make your subscription!

Housewarming party! Opening of the new kennels!

admin — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:00:29 +0000

On the last day of October we had a Housewarming party in North Hope! 30 kids from local schools, local Sunday school and children from the Hope Center of Rehabilitation for the Challenged Children and Their Families came to congratulate dogs on moving to their new homes. Everyone had lots of fun playing games, learning sled dog basics, singing, dancing, drinking tea with sweets, etc! Thanks everyone! You’re always welcome!

Newly built dog kennels!

admin — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:32:55 +0000

Finally! We have our new dog kennels done! Soon the dogs will move to their new homes and busy themselves with turning their dog houses into HOMES. Our folks will help them here – fresh hay, toys and a sweet bone – can there be a better gift for the housewarming?

Another canistherapy session for the challenged kids

admin — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 10:56:40 +0000

A group of 8 kids from Neya rehabilitation center with different diagnoses but mainly ICP and Down’s syndrome aged from 4 to 19 came to North Hope for another canistherapy session. The meeting was exciting for all of us – kids, dogs and parents, everyone got their portion of salutary love and warmth and we’ll be meeting up again soon.

Enjoy the photos by Vera Kupriyanova!

Dog-trekking session in NH Junior Musher School

admin — Thu, 05 May 2011 12:59:44 +0000

Junior mushers from local Sunday school had their first dog-trekking trip they had been preparing for a few months for! They took the dogs that they had been working with since early winter on a real adventure into the wilderness full of challenges and surprises! They were honing their dog care skills under the open sky, learning the basics of hiking survival and protecting nature and wildlife, making food on the open fire and everything that could help them become a REAL MUSHER. A challenging trip ended in a fun caniscross relay race with a good swim for dogs in a bracing taiga creek afterwards, a hot tea around the fire and cuddling cuddling cuddling!!

A program of developing personality potential for the physically challenged kids

admin — Wed, 04 May 2011 11:10:24 +0000

North Hope has started its new canistherapy program of developing personality potential with the help of sled dogs and wildlife for the physically challenged kids. Enjoy the photos from the program by Vera Kupriyanova!

Neya orphan asylum on a sled dog adventure at North Hope

admin — Tue, 03 May 2011 21:04:53 +0000

Kids from Neya orphan asylum have just finished their sled dog adventure at North Hope! Enjoy the pictures by Vera Kupriyanova!

More Sled Dogs Through Kids Eyes!

admin — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:24:19 +0000

Enjoy some more kids artworks on sled dogs!