AKDC is a universal developmental school who fosters, guides positive skills in people we believe all of us intuitively and inherently possess, especially when nurtured. We instruct through providing class room education followed by active work and play around our animals. Our guiding principle is that quality of life and relationship is directly proportional to learning, self awareness and an ability to project respect at any given moment. Courses are designed for kids, kids at heart, and not-quite-kids-anymore..:).
Our broad approach has allowed us to share our principles with members of the Armed Forces, Public Schools, Business Corporations, and Health Programs for people in Trauma Recovery and Victims of Abuse.

AKDC's dedication is to be of Service to those that come to us by sharing our expertise earned in 25 years of living with sled dogs in Alaska's arctic. The Center's vision is to effect behavior modification through a process of education and animal assisted hands-on experience.

We are a modern school that reaches out by teaching about the 5,000 year old survival skill, indigenous practice and art of DOGSLEDDING. Originally born from pure necessity our priority is to make the principles of this old activity useful within our present day modern world culture. We combine this Ancient Arctic mode of transportation and its surrounding aspects with Management Tools of an "Iditarod Sled Dog Kennel".
It is our observation that working with animals in general and sled dogs in particular provides a helpful, nurturing, active learning platform. Through immersion and the work around our dogs and through guidance from staff, a student learns to develop a natural connection to skills that actually cross over to many other areas of our complex daily human life. Our broad approach makes learning about mushing into a remarkably deep experience to an individual whether your goal would be to become a musher -or not. The content of our courses covers useful general knowledge. Dogsledding provides a solid training tool and playful atmosphere. The real reward to a student lies in the broad applicability of the principles that it takes to run our kennel and dogteam. To the student the education's value reaches beyond a kennel's sphere, as the skills practiced here in the end transfer to ANY successful professional or personal situation in life.

There is a reason why humans have come up with the term "Man's Best Friend" to characterize their close relationship with their canine companion. An Alaskan Husky is tough and loving, enthusiastic and dedicated, curious, capable and equipped with a boundless sense of adventure.
The location of our professional Kennel Facility within the Mountain-Resort town of Girdwood add a peaceful flair to an atmosphere of genuine friendliness, comfort and diversity.
Whether you've ever owned a dog or not, and whether you come to AKDC as a dog psychology school, mushing school, management school, leadership school, life school, therapeutic experience or part-time "Day-Care" for your child, in this environment, we enjoy sharing with you our knowledge on topics like:

• Dispelling the Myth and psychology behind "BAD DOG". Learn how to get on a dog's good side and stay there. Get the results you want by working with dogs in harmony. Earn respect gracefully and learn to keep it.
• How to handle constant responsibility of caring for a kennel of 50 dogs implementing sophisticated kennel management practices. Basic hands-on training in veterinary, economics, organization and management.
• Sled building (wood working) and maintanance.
• Pet First Aid/CPR training.
• Basic Arctic Survival Skills.
• How to prepare for journeys like the 1,100 mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race across Alaska.
• The "ZEN in DOGSLEDDING" is AKDC's own esoteric version of dogsledding and explores its more gentle and "warm" side -Connection. An active training style allows a student to build a foundation with a dog, built on trust and respect. Key objectives to these courses are to raise your ability to authentically "connect and project" present moments during work with dogs. Topics include a broad range of communicative and relational aspects. Cognitive awareness, non-verbal communication styles, breathing techniques and increased levels of self awareness all become essential ingredients for us while "Connecting Dogs With People!"