Dog Days of Summer at Mat-Su Regional

Staff and visitors were treated to an extra surprise during their lunchtime Wednesday as Outreach22 stopped by the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center (MSRMC) with a few of their dogs for some paw-some moments.

Josh Robbins and Brenda Howard of Outreach22 brought along five sled dogs, four of which had run and completed the 2024 Iditarod with Robbins’ team. The fifth, a two-year old pup, got to experience his first road trip, and soaked up all the attention.

“We wanted to be able to bring a little of what we do out here to the people, let them see the dogs and see that they are great, and let them play,” said Robbins.

Outreach22, based in Willow, provides therapeutic dog sledding for Veterans and their families, with the goal to uplift Veterans in need of comfort. It began in July 2021 as a project to bring hope and emotional support to Veterans with mental health struggles, with the number 22 representing the number of Veterans who commit suicide a day.

“We always look for ways to give back to our community. This was something we wanted to do last year, but just couldn’t make it happen, so we are just so excited that we were able to do this now,” said Andreena Straub, Marketing Manager at MSRMC. She said she is hopeful the hospital can continue Dog Days every year.

Straub says they have also been collecting pet food to donate to the Mat-Su Animal Shelter, and the staff and visitors have also been collecting money for Outreach22.

“The staff loves it. Plus, who doesn’t love dogs?”

When asked how she knew about Outreach22, Straub says that a staff member’s wife runs her own sled dog team and introduced them to Robbins and Howard.

“Dogs really are therapeutic and help with stress, and these dogs are specially trained, they are so amazing,” Straub said.

Patriot BBQ Food truck brought their delicious food and Lhei Photography was also on hand to capture the moments with the dogs. A portion of the profits went to Outreach22.

For Patriot BBQ, this was not the first time the veteran-owned business has teamed up with the veteran-owned dog sledding program.

“It's always great to team up with Outreach22 and anything we can do to support them and their cause. We love what Josh and Brenda do for Veterans and the community in bringing support and awareness to not only Veteran suicide and mental health but to dog sledding, homesteading, and Alaska,” said Shanie Heger. “We are honored to be able to support Outreach22 and other Veterans. We also appreciate Mat-Su Regional Hospital for allowing us the opportunity to set up there and all they did to help with fundraising.”

“I’m a dog geek, just an absolute fan,” said Melissa Leeper, who took part of her lunch break to play and cuddle with the dogs, later joking that she would have to change her scrubs from all the dog hair, loving every minute she spent with the dogs.

“It’s nice watching people smile and feel relaxed as they pet the dogs and ask questions about the sport and the Outreach22 mission. We feel the sled dogs are therapeutic and help bring people joy. We’re thankful for those who came out to support the team and look forward to more events in the Mat Su Valley,” said Howard after the event.

MSRMC Chief Operating Officer James Bunch also took a break to come out and meet Robbins, Howard, and the dogs, thanking them for coming out. “It’s really nice for them to come down and share a little of what they do.”

“They’re the most powerful piece. You really feel it with the dogs,” said Bunch.

The doggone fun will continue on Saturday, when the hospital will host adoptable pets from the Mat-Su Animal Shelter, local vendors and more food trucks.

People can also donate a bag of dog or cat food (10 pounds or more) and be entered in a raffle.

To learn more about Outreach22, visit www.outreach22.com