Welcome to Happy Trails Kennels:
Home of four-time Iditarod Champion
Martin Buser, and family!

Most living in Alaska know the history of "Maggie the Elephant."  She was housed at the Alaska Zoo as quite an attraction.  After the loss of her elephant friend Annabelle, she became somewhat lethargic at the zoo and as you might imagine, lack of movement is not healthy for an elephant.  In an effort to revive Maggie's health and keep her in Alaska, the Alaska Zoo had a treadmill built for her.  But like many of us who need more exercise, the treadmill was not the solution.  Maggie was transported to the Performing Animals Welfare Society facility in California where she recently celebrated her 2nd anniversary. We understand that she is thriving in her new home.

So why are we talking about about an elephant at a dog kennel.

Martin immediately contacted the Zoo about putting the treadmill to use for dogs.  After many conversations and negotiations, Maggie's treadmill now rests at Happy Trails Kennels in a special building called Maggie's.  

Moving the monumental piece of equipment to Big Lake has required a coordinated effort by many people.  We are organizing the long list to offically thank them all.

We are working to develop "Maggie's" as a sled dog research facility.   In the next few blogs we will show the amazing process getting the treadmill here.

For a look at the treadmill while at the zoo, go to First Ever Elephant Treadmill.