When encountering the most dramatic life crisis possible, your favorite person being torn away from you, there doesn’t seem to be much hope and brightness. Ask Jan-Kåre Heiberg, he knows all about it. What he also knows, is that therapy comes in different shapes and sizes. For him, it came in the form of a four-legged furry creature.

TRAGEDY AND MISERY

Jan-Kåre Heiberg and Marthe Vildåsen met for the first time at a bar in Gjøvik, Norway. The connection was obvious. They both shared the same positive attitude, the desire to explore and, most importantly, the passion for dogs. It took eight years in perfect partnership, before their lives were turned upside down.

 “Marthe called me to tell that she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in April 2015. That was the beginning of a brutal on-and-off war that would last for four years, and that we would eventually loose. The emptiness and pain was indescribable”, says Jan-Kåre.

FUR THERAPY 

The only thing that would give Jan-Kåre some kind of comfort, was being around the dogs. It reminded him of Marthe and the adventures they experienced together. The unconditional, everlasting love and affecting the dogs would provide him was an extremely important support to stay strong.

How did you get the idea of using the dogs as a tool for improved mental health?

“For Marthe and myself, being surrounded by dogs in every day life made our last five years manageable. We were able to be outdoors, we had a project, and something to talk about that wasn’t related to the cancer. The dogs were therapy long before Marthe passed away. The idea never really came to me in that sense, it just became this way naturally.”

Heiberg gives his description of the unique dog-human connection. “You might have family, friends, partners and colleagues that care for you. But to me, it doesn’t come close to the way the dog herd show their love and affection when you enter the dog yard.”

DOGS ON A MISSION

Already when Marthe got sick, they had done smaller projects together to raise money and awareness around gynecological cancer. On every occasion, the brought the dogs with them. Thinking back on this, Jan-Kåre got the idea of doing a new project – a proper expedition with the same purpose. He teamed up with his acquaintance Simen Bækken, both with quite some baggage in their past. 

They started their journey of 727km, crossing Norway from east to west with 20 dogs, in August 2020. October 2nd, they arrived the west coast of Norway.

“The main objective of the project was to raise money and awareness around cervical cancer. And we definitely managed that, raising about $50,000 and having 13,000 people following our journey. On a personal level, the positive effect on my mental health was almost as important. The simple camp life, spending time and caring for the dogs, living in the moment on terms with the nature, was therapy for me. It was Fur Therapy” says Jan-Kåre. 

The response and feedback from all over Norway has been astonishing for Jan-Kåre after the expedition. People are reaching out to him on a daily basis telling about their own experience with fur therapy. They are even sharing stories about their pets practically having saved their lives. 

“It’s incredibly moving to see so many people share my experience. There is no doubt that our furry friends have a huge positive impact on the life quality and mental health of their owners. Perfectly in line with my own experience”, says Heiberg. 

RACE PLANS FOR 2021

Jan-Kåre and his sister currently have 30 dogs in their yard. 12 of them are race dogs, while the rest are youngsters and puppies. They already have a couple of races on the calendar for the upcoming winter. Mush Synnfjell, Gausdal Marathon, Femund 650 and Finnmark 600 will be the highlights of the season.

“The longer projects will have to wait for next year. But one thing is for sure – there will be more expeditions!”