Sled dogs in the annual Yukon Race will sport blankets made by Fairbanks locals at the Denali Center.

Residents at the long-term care facility spent a morning making blankets to warm canine athletes in the Fairbanks to Whitehorse sled dog race, according to an article from the News Miner. Dogs that are dropped from the 1,000-mile race—due to the need to recover and rest—will receive the blankets for use while they wait for handlers to pick them up.

The Yukon Quest 1,000 mile International Dog Sled race gets its name from the “highway of the north,” which is the Yukon River. The trail traces routes that prospectors, explorers, and supply carriers followed. The heart and soul of the race are the sled dogs, and their care is one of the founding principles of the quest.

To learn more about the race history and event, which begins February 1, 2014, visit the Yukon Quest website.

These beloved dogs will now receive some extra comfort from residents who hold the race and the animals close to their hearts. The start of the Yukon Quest is 11 a.m. on February 1 on the Chena River. Come celebrate history and competition, and support the sled dog teams—even if you didn’t get to make a blanket.