After graduating from high school, Amaree flew up to Alaska for the opportunity to work and learn with Turning Heads Kennel as a Glacier Guide, which set the stage for his guiding career. After the summer, he headed to Northern Finland for the winter, where he trained, learned, and guided sled dogs along the Finnish-Russian border. A big mountain and backcountry snowboarder, Amaree is always seeking new journeys of knowledge and experience in the mountains, with the goal of becoming an Alaskan Splitboard and Winter Guide.
Crew
James McBryde
Originally from Mississippi, James moved to Alaska to follow his passion for working with dogs. A pre-vet student at Mississippi State University, he spends most of his time studying and caring for animals. When he’s not immersed in his studies or working with dogs, you’ll find James out exploring the great outdoors—whether it’s hiking, kayaking, or fishing, he’s always ready for an adventure!
This is James’ first season with us. We are excited to have him join our team.
Sam Paperman
Sam grew up in Seward, AK next to Travis Beals. As a kid, when he got in trouble, he would go hide in Travis’ dog houses! After that childhood, he started working for Travis at 14 and ran the Junior Iditarod when he was 17, in 2020. The last two years, he has volunteered for the Iditarod Sled Dog Race at the Shaktoolik and Eagle Island checkpoint. This year, Sam finished both the T-Dog 200 and the Kobuk 440.
Sam has been part of the Turning Heads Kennel team for over 8 years on and off. When not working on the Glacier or at the Kennel, Sam also spends time on the RV Sikuliaq as a diesel mechanic.
Min
Min is our spunky teacup Sheltie and one of the greeter dogs at Turning Heads Kennel. While she’s not a fan of playing fetch, she absolutely loves watching the other dogs play. Min enjoys a good chase, especially when it comes to the sled dogs or the dog cart (if we let her, of course!). She’s a fan of gentle ear scratches and will happily accept them. Min has some quirky habits—she’s a little neurotic when it comes to windows and coffee pots. If someone touches either, you can bet she’ll have a full-on barking fit! Despite her small size, Min has no shortage of confidence and firmly believes she’s the biggest dog in the kennel.
Elias Beals
Elias Beals is our joyful two-year-old who has a big heart and a love for the little things in life. He’s all about bubbles, trucks, and his beloved cat, Kitty. At the airport, he can’t get enough of meeting new people and watching the helicopters take off—pure fascination in his eyes every time! Elias is happiest when he’s outside, whether he’s sitting on the fuel tractor or running around with the puppies at the kennel. He loves going for dog rides and has a special bond with Min, though his favorite sled dog is Switch. Elias brings so much joy to everyone he meets and makes every moment brighter!