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Cindy Gallea

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Follow Cindy in the 2008 Iditarod

About Cindy Gallea,
owner of Snowcrest Racing Sled Dogs

Cindy Gallea is a dog musher, nurse practitioner, and mother of two sons.  She makes her home in the beautiful Seeley-Swan Valley of western Montana.  Cindy grew up in southern Minnesota, and she lived a number of years in northern Minnesota, where she was first introduced to dog mushing in 1985.  

In 1988, Cindy and her family moved west so Cindy could complete her Masters of Nursing at the University of Washington.  Upon earning her degree, Cindy and family followed their passion for dog mushing and an outdoor lifestyle to Montana.  Over the past 23 years, Cindy has greatly enjoyed dog mushing and has tried to balance that passion with the other aspects of her life that she cherishes--her family and her work as a nurse practitioner.  Cindy feels that finding a balance in life between work and play, active and quiet time, personal pursuits and the service of others is challenging, but very important.

Cindy views mushing and the Iditarod as experiences that allow her to understand herself, her dogs, and her world more fully.  These experiences are spiritual in a very personal way that foster a connection with people, dogs, the beauty of the earth, and with a higher power.  

Cindy also enjoys being able to share her stories and lessons from the Iditarod with her supporters and those interested in the race.  Cindy realizes that she could not run the Iditarod without the support and interest of many people, and she hopes those following the Iditarod can find similar inspiration in their lives. 

The dogs have taught Cindy the wonder of all creatures, animal and human, and the wonder of the outdoors.  This insight has implications in her work in health care.  Cindy has seen that being outside and being with animals is good for her health.  Dog mushing provides the opportunity to be very active and to stay fit.  Cindy has also seen the benefits of being active in her patients.  She feels that exercise and activity are the best prescription for many problems.  This year, attention is being focused on Heart Disease in Women.  Heart disease is the number one killer of both women and men.  Being active is good for the heart and good for the soul.

Cindy is running her eighth Iditarod this year, and she hopes her efforts in the race this year will serve as an inspiration to others to get outdoors and be active.