Heart of a Husky

  From the start Mark's life has been full of adventure! Mark was born in Bozeman, Montana, but grew up in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. The Walker family routinely spent part of their summer's near Yellowstone National Park fly fishing; Mark and his two brothers are all Eagle Scouts, and they were involved in travel soccer throughout their youth. 

  Mark had the added excitement of being born with two Congenital Heart Defects; Coarctation of the Aorta and Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP). He underwent angioplasty at 3 1/2, a stent procedure at 4, and an open-heart surgery at 17 to repair his Mitral Valve. He credits those experiences for his determined spirit and willingness to endure a challenge like the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. 

  Mark's mission is to not only compete at the highest level of dog mushing, but to use his platform to advocate for awareness about Congenital Heart Defects. He hopes his story will inspire anyone facing a health obstacle and to show other's affected by CHD's what is possible. 

  Mark has created Mushing for Mott, a charity benefitting C.S Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan; supporting research, and entertainment for patients. If you'd like to join the team, and help Mark and the dogs on the journey, please visit the shop and sign up for a sponsorship program.