Talkeetna musher running 2021 Iditarod advocating for combat veterans

WASILLA — Talkeetna musher Rick Casillo is preparing for his 10th Iditarod. His hope for this year’s race is to place in the top 20, but his ultimate goal is to raise awareness for U.S. military combat veterans.

Casillo ran his first Iditarod in 2004. He came back in 2014 after establishing Battle Dawgs, a nonprofit organization that supports combat veterans with free outdoor adventures during the summer and winter. Activities include rafting, hiking, fishing, sightseeing tours, and dog mushing. His motto for the organization is, “helping our warriors one step at a time.”

“We’ve been growing every year,” Casillo said.

Battle Dawgs serves both local and visiting veterans. Casillo said they’re currently working with about 30 vets a year. He said these camps were designed to be therapeutic excursions rooted in the natural joys of nature.

Casillo’s wife Jennifer is a combat veteran from the U.S. Air Force. He said that she appreciates what he’s striving toward and works alongside him every step of the way. His resolve to keep the program going has only strengthened through the meaningful memories and uplifting stories formed each year.

“I just love working with these guys and gals… Everyone that’s been through our camps said it was the best thing they’ve ever done… Just the impact that I’ve seen over the years that it makes on them, when you have a part in helping save a life it has a pretty profound effect on you, to want to do more and keep making it bigger and better,” Casillo said.

Casillo moved to Alaska in 1999 from his hometown, Alden, a small country town outside Buffalo, New York, following a career as a fly fishing guide. He started mushing in 2002. While he’s clear on the other side of the country, he said the small town state of mind is similar, and he’s rooted deeply into his rustic and uniquely Alaskan lifestyle.

“This is right where I belong,” Casillo said.

While Casillo didn’t start musing until later in his life, he said that he was always fascinated with the sport since he was a child. He said that he grew up with hunting dogs and thought running the Iditarod would be the ultimate test of teamwork as a dog handler.

“It’s been a sick addiction ever since,” Casillo said with a laugh.

Casillo said that he feels good about this year’s team. He noted that it’s a younger group composed mostly of 3-year-old dogs, but he thinks all the work they’ve put in will pay off on the trail.

“It’s year-round. We’ve got about 3,000 miles of training on the dogs right now,” Casillo said. “The biggest thing, obviously it’s always the dogs. The bond that you build with them, it’s hard to describe the bond after 1,000 miles with a dog team, what happens while you’re out there. You’re glad to see the finish line, but also a little sad… because you just relied on each other for 9, 10 days solid… You kinda want to keep it going. It’s a beautiful race. It’s an awesome race. It’s a way every year we get to test each other.”

The 2021 racecourse broke from historical tradition as a result of COVID-19 mitigation. Casillo said the course is full of challenges on par with any other year, and he’s thankful it was still able happen.

“It’s gonna be a challenge for sure... It’s not the ‘real’ Iditarod I guess, but it still is… We’ve got to do the Alaskan Range twice. The first 300 miles of this race is no joke. It’s tough as it gets, and to have to do that twice is gonna be interesting,” Casillo said. “A lot of this race is mental... I’ve learned your body has always got another gear. “

Casillo said that he plans to hold Battle Dawg Warrior Camps this summer. Those interested in making online donations or learning more about the program can find out more by visiting battledawgs.org.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com