Big Lake Lab

The study of racing sled dogs as elite animal athletes has been a centerpiece of the CEPL for nearly two decades, with projects centered on both improving the health, well-being, and performance of the dogs, as well as studying the dogs as marvels of mammalian physiology (with the hope of being able to replicate some parts of that physiology in lesser athletes, such as humans).

The CEPL-Big Lake laboratory is located in Big Lake, Alaska. The laboratory is designed to meet USDA requirements for housing dogs being used in research while also preserving the dogs’ ability to thrive in the Arctic winter. The Big Lake Lab is compromised of two main rooms, the lab and the kennel. The kennel can house up to 38 dogs and also has an examination/minor procedures room.

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