Known as "The Wild Raven," Dr. Nelson is one of the main veterinarians At P.E.T. and the chief vet of the Iditarod. He flies thousands of miles to his jobs every week (hence the nickname). He divides his time as a relief veterinarian at three vet clinics: one in Sandpoint, Idaho; one in Ketchikan, Alaska; and Pet Emergency Treatment, in Anchorage, Alaska.
Every August, Dr. Nelson takes a month off from working and gets dumped off by a bush pilot in the middle of nowhere to canoe down remote rivers of the Yukon Territory by himself. He takes with him a detailed map and a compass, and sets afloat. Then, he carries 150 pounds or so of gear over dry/wet land for miles until he gets to civilization again, three to four weeks later.
Even when Dr. Nelson isn’t camping, he likes to rough it. While working at P.E.T., he sleeps in the back of his Ram pickup truck, in the parking lot. It can be 20 below zero and he will feel more at home outside in a sleeping bag, than he will one of the clinic's nice, warm staff beds.
He also recently purchased land 20 miles from Eagle, Alaska, in the middle of nowhere, where he plans to build a cabin without electricity or hot water. He has no pets of his own due to his somewhat nomadic lifestyle.
What drew you to Alaska?
The Great Land. There is still room to explore and enjoy the great outdoors without rampant devastation from development.
What is it like living and working in Alaska?
As they say, Alaska is only fifty miles from Anchorage. After one leaves the largest population of the state, the vast acreage of unspoiled wilderness beckons the curious and adventurous. The fact that it is there, frees the spirit.
What is one of your most memorable cases?
Treating a baby seal was perhaps my most interesting case. Eagles and reindeer have also been patients of mine. In any event, the opportunity to have an encounter with these creatures only enforces my appreciation for the great outdoors and the animals that are a part of it.
Learn about the odd sleeping habits of Dr. Nelson (a.ka. Wild Raven) as he ends his shift at the P.E.T. hospital.
