How the Alaska Dog Center Came to be. 

Founded in 2017 by Kale Casey and Carrie Pavlat, the Alaska Dog Center started with just an empty parking lot and a passion for sled dogs. Selling mushing gear to Alaskan mushers was only the beginning—over the years, our vision has grown into something much bigger.

Today, the Alaska Dog Center is home to a year-round sled dog tour campus, the Trailside Café (established in 2022), a gift and gear store, and the Trailside Cabin vacation rental. Most recently, we’ve expanded to include on-site employee housing to support our growing team and established Hanging Up The Harness, our sled dog adoption program.

 

What makes our journey unique is that Kale and Carrie have built much of the Alaska Dog Center with their own hands—from fencing and dirt work to construction projects, they’ve poured their time, energy, and hard-earned resources into bringing this dream to life. Working additional jobs to finance the Center’s growth, they have truly put their hearts into creating a place that celebrates sled dogs, mushing culture, and the Alaskan spirit.

Whether you’re visiting for a sled dog tour, a cozy meal at the café, or a stay at our cabin, we invite you to experience the passion and dedication that make the Alaska Dog Center one of a kind.

 

Kale’s Journey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrie’s Journey

Carrie Pavlat moved to Alaska in 2017 with a clear plan—study for her CPA exam and launch her career as an accountant. Before that, she had spent seven years on Mt. Hood, Oregon, snowboarding and exploring the mountain with her three Siberian Huskies, Ramona, Millie, and Rosebud. Mushing was never part of the plan, but fate had other ideas.

A chance meeting with Kale Casey introduced Carrie to Willow, AK, and the world of sled dogs. What started as a part time job at the Alaska Dog Center quickly became much more. An empath at heart, Carrie felt an instant connection with sled dogs, leading her to establish Bad Manners Kennel. Through years of hard work, dedication, and hands-on learning, she built her own kennel from the ground up—acquiring gear, raising three litters of puppies, and developing a team of 33 Alaskan Huskies.

In 2022, Carrie purchased a home in Caswell, 20 miles north of the Dog Center, where she now lives with her team. She even commutes to work by dog team in the winter, a daily reminder of the life she has built and loves. Her passion for sled dogs goes beyond racing—she is the founder of Hanging up the Harness, a sled dog adoption program dedicated to finding retirement homes for working dogs.

Carrie’s journey is a testament to following unexpected paths, embracing hard work, and building a life rooted in passion, purpose, and a deep love for sled dogs.