A month of dogs, teamwork, and learning at Bearhill Husky
At Bearhill Husky we regularly host interns. They come from different countries, for different lengths of time, and for different reasons. In this series of blog articles they tell their internship stories.
Hello, my name is Isa. I am 18 years old and come from the Netherlands. From April 11th to May 9th, I completed my internship at Bearhill Husky in Finland. It had always been my dream to do an internship at a husky company, so in my third year of veterinary nursing studies, I decided to take that step. These four weeks flew by, but they left a lasting impression on me.
Week 1
My first morning started with a clear introduction and a warm welcome from the team. I was immediately involved in the daily tasks. The first week was quite an adjustment: you don’t know the dogs very well yet, and they all have a strong work drive.
What stood out to me right away was how structured everything is. There are clear rules, which ensures that everything runs safely and smoothly for both humans and animals. Animal welfare is clearly a priority: all health-related matters are carefully monitored and shared within the team. In addition, most of the dogs get out of the kennel every day to stay both mentally and physically active.
The kennel building made a big impression on me. This is where all the food is stored and prepared, where the harnesses are kept, and where there is a medical room. There is also additional storage and an office upstairs.
A very special moment this week was Rusina giving birth. I had never experienced this before. She was in good hands, but after a long labor, the last two puppies did not come out on their own. In the end, we went to the veterinarian, and I was able to come along. It was a very special experience.
Week 2
In the second week, I started recognizing the dogs more easily. You don’t just learn their names, but also their personalities and behaviours. It was very interesting to see the differences between each dog.
I also gained more insight into group dynamics. The dogs are placed daily in the running wheel and the running fence, where their interactions with each other play a big role.
Week 3
During the third week, I was able to work more independently. The daily tasks became easier and more familiar.
A typical workday consisted of giving water, placing the dogs in the running wheel and/or running fence, cleaning up, and feeding. Most tasks are done together with a colleague, which makes the work both efficient and enjoyable.
Week 4
In my final week, we started ATV training. The dogs pull just like they do with a sled, but this time in front of an ATV.
It’s amazing to see the work drive of these dogs in action. As soon as they realize they are going to work and get their harness on, their “work mode” instantly switches on.
Working with these dogs is truly special, and this internship has taught me so much. I am very grateful for this experience and will never forget it. Hopefully, I will return here again in a few years!
