Answer The Call

Chances are, when you arrive in Teton Village, you’ll hear the boisterous four-legged crew at Call of the WYld Dogsled Tours before you actually see them. And that’s because they couldn’t be more enthusiastic about their job — running snow-packed trails at top speed, pulling sleds of visitors on a one-of-a-kind adventure. 

You’d be forgiven for thinking that Abby Tarver, Call of the WYld’s co-owner, had been handling dogs and mushing all her life. In reality, the Michigan native moved to Wyoming in 2016, and while she was navigating a series of unfulfilling jobs, she happened to watch a film that changed everything. “The Great Alone,” a documentary about Iditarod winner Lance Mackey, was a lightbulb moment for Abby. In 2019, she knew: dogsledding was her future. 

“People assume that dogsledding is only in Alaska,” Abby says. “But really, it’s all over. We love giving people a chance to experience it here,” she continues, adding that it was a traditional form of winter transportation for many in the mountains. 

Along with her husband, Michael Tarver, the couple now shepherds a pack of 70 dogs on their Teton Valley property. Every winter day, with the help of their guides, Abby loads up trucks that are custom-built to transport sled dogs in safety and comfort. They traverse Teton Pass, and gear up for the day at the base of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort where they offer hour-long sled dog tours of a nearby ranch property. 

Abby’s furry employees aren’t just everyday dogs. Running and pulling are literally in their DNA. “Most of our dogs come from other places where they weren’t a good fit for their team,” she says. Some of them are former competitive racers who still love to run, but aren’t in peak race form any longer. Some are simply better fits for a more relaxed and guest-focused lifestyle. But regardless of their background, they’re thriving at Call of the WYld. 

The couple’s canine collection also includes fifteen Seppala Siberian Huskies — a rare breed of sled dog with a noble history that they’re helping to preserve. It’s a story that many have heard: in the winter of 1925, an outbreak of diphtheria threatened the lives of unvaccinated children and adults in Nome, Alaska. In a heroic effort to bring the antitoxin serum to his town, Leonhard Seppala and his team of sled dogs traversed hundreds of treacherous miles in extreme conditions. This incredible feat, known as “The Great Race of Mercy,” is now commemorated by the annual Iditarod race. 

All Seppala Siberian Huskies, including those at Call of the WYld, are descended from Seppala’s eleven-dog team — carrying on a noble heritage and intrinsic drive to run and thrive in even the coldest weather.  

But even the most enthusiastic dogs can’t run forever. “The specific age of when a dog retires depends on a few things. It’s typically around 10 or 11,” Abby says. And when they do? It’s time for some well-earned relaxation, sometimes in Abby and Michael’s own home, or in the loving home of an adoptive family. 

“The program is called ‘WYld at Heart,’ and so far we’ve had five successful adoptions,” Abby says. The standards to adopt a retired sled dog are strict, and for good reason. “They’re still a high-energy breed, and they need someone who can offer that kind of lifestyle.” 

Abby cares deeply about each dog’s well-being, even the ones that have new homes elsewhere. She’s passionate about caring for their physical and mental health. And they’re definitely at their happiest when they’re running.

“I’m really passionate about education,” Abby says, acknowledging that there have been instances of controversy around the ethics of dog handling in the sport in years past. “I’m not trying to convince anyone. I really want people to come and see for themselves. I want everyone to walk away with a positive impression, seeing that we’re a good, caring kennel and our dogs are truly healthy and happy.”

Call of the WYld hosts a daily “Yappy Hour” from noon until one at their Teton Village location, and Abby encourages everyone to stop by and meet the dogs. Of course, once you meet them, it’s nearly impossible to not want to take a dog-powered ride in the sled. It’s a family-friendly adventure that certainly stands out from everyday snow sports. 

“It’s really a unique activity,” Abby says of gliding swiftly down a snowy trail, drawn by her enthusiastic team. “There’s nothing quite like it. It’s a chance to slow down and experience the landscape. Really connect to the area and that rich history that dogsledding has.”