Chukka Caribbean's Paola Byles (left) and new kid on the Sandals block, Michelle Rousseau, enjoying the party.

From left: Deputy Director of Tourism, David Shields, in conversation with Chukka Caribbean Adventures partners and sponsors, Pan Caribbean's manager of client services, Peta Goldsmith, and Wayne Blake, manager of corporate banking.

Sandals Resorts International's Ian Spencer (right), back from the Turks and Caicos, chats with Kingston Industrial Garage's Kent La Croix (left) and General Manager of Sandals Dunn's River, Louis Grant, during the Sandals/Chukka Caribbean polo match last Thursday evening. The match was a precursor to the dog sled launch party.

Dog trainer Susie Rogan of Yukon, Canada, gets down and shows everyone that a dog is man's best friend.

Director-General of Tourism, Carrole Guntley (left), plays with one of the beautiful sun dogs as she accompanies Minister of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture, Aloun Assamba (right), and chairman of Chukka Caribbean Adventures, Danny Melville (green shirt), on the grand tour.

Photos by Janet Silvera - Musher Shiekera Smith prepares the sun dogs for their official show ride with lead musher Devon Anderson at the historic launch party of the island's first Dog Sled Tour at Chukka Cove Farms in Llandovery, St. Ann, last Friday evening.

Innovative dog sled tour launched

Janet Silvera, Hospitality Jamaica Coordinator

As with humans, the three most important factors for a dog are food, shelter and water. And the thing that goes into making a good dog is love, care and affection.

The 'sun dogs', who were mongrels before entering the gates of the Chukka Cove Farms in Llandovery, St. Ann, are receiving all six factors.

In fact, they have become celebrities taking on lead roles in their first movie and making special appearance at the official launch of the celebrated Dog Sled Tour, the latest attraction at Chukka Caribbean Adventures.

"No pure breed looks as good as these sun dogs," boasted Dr. Paul Turner, senior veterinarian at the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA), who has endorsed the innovative tour.

A first in Jamaica, and a novelty to the rest of the world, Danny Melville and his team at Chukka Caribbean Adventures have brought a winter sport to the island, creating history in the process.

new tours unveiled

Already known for offering an impressive 21 activities on the island's north coast, the Dog Sled Tour was one of four new tours unveiled by the team last Friday.

"A dog sled team, that will inspire a big screen movie, will not just be a great soft adventure attraction, but would be a wonderful catalyst for 'Brand Jamaica' in the same or greater manner of the Jamaica bobsled team," noted Minister Aloun Assamba, keynote speaker at the launch.

The Tourism, Entertainment and Culture minister not only lauded the Chukka team for their foresight, but spoke of the ingenuity in the country. "Who knew a country without snow could go to the winter Olympics and who knew dog sledding could happen in Jamaica?" she asked.

The minister argued that the dog-sled team provides a window into Jamaica's soul. "When I first heard about the dog sled team, it forced me to think of all the qualities that I believe distinguish Brand Jamaica."

The Dog Sled Tour will carry two components: an exclusive, two-person ride with a musher or a 30-person tour which encompasses other attractions, including the famous Dunn's River Falls - more of an educational tour with the sun dogs.