It's now several days into the Iditarod in Alaska. Here in Montana, some local students have been learning and reading about mushers, dogs, and sled racing.

Harry and Lela Schlitz began their educational and therapy dog sled team almost 19 years ago, visiting their first 4th grade classroom in 1992.

The idea for the Mountain Mushers educational and therapy team came almost by accident. The couple took a dog sled ride soon after Harry lost his job to downsizing.

The Laurel couple and their sled dogs Sorrel, Pixie, and Su now travel the country to schools like Cascade Elementary, encouraging kids to read and be safe around dogs.

Sorrel and Pixie were adopted after retiring from dog sled service in Denali National Park.

Lela Schiltz, a former teacher, even wrote a book for young children detailing lead dog Pixie's heroic work.

Today's audience was simply excited to see, pet, and learn more about the sled dog team. But dogs Su and Pixie also work as therapeutic reading buddies for autistic and special need students, and have even been there to comfort children that survived Hurricane Katrina.

If you would like more information on Mountain Mushers or the Pixie book, visit www.mtmushers.com