Published: November 12, 2020 12:27 am 
Modified: December 1, 2020 5:55 pm Matthew Failor
Matthew Failor, 37, was born and raised in Ohio. He moved to Alaska permanently in 2008 to work with Matt Hayashida and train with him and his dogs. He has worked for various mushers and in 2010, he started handling for Martin Buser and ran his first Iditarod as Martin’s handler. He recently moved to Willow to run dogs under his own name 17th Dog, Team Matthew Failor. “The dogs and I spend all summer, fall and winter together living as a family and learn to work towards a common goal, improving in everything we do and never stop learning. Twenty eight canines have become my immediate family now, however, Ohio will forever be called home.” Matthew is currently a dog trainer and has been manager of Alaska Icefield Expeditions for 12 years. Read more here.