Alaska Health Introduces 'Hope the Husky' for Children's Healthy Habits

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Shirley Sakaye, DOH, 907-269-4996, Shirley.Sakaye@alaska.gov Alaska Department of Health Introduces Hope the Husky, a New Resource to Help Kids Build Healthy Habits December 24, 2025, ANCHORAGE, AK — The Alaska Department of Health is proud to introduce Hope the Husky, a new kid-friendly character and activity series designed to help Alaska’s children learn healthy habits and build strong relationships that support lifelong well-being. Hope the Husky and her friends guide children through age-appropriate activities that encourage healthy choices, positive connections and open conversations with trusted adults. The program is designed for use at home, in classrooms and by homeschool families across Alaska. The Wild About Wellness with Hope the Husky and Friends activity book includes interactive pages that encourage eating healthy foods, good hygiene, physical activity and movement, identifying safe adults, and building positive friendships. Each activity is designed to spark curiosity and help parents and educators start age-appropriate conversations about children’s health and safety. “Hope the Husky is about meeting kids where they are and giving families tools to talk about healthy choices in a way that feels positive, approachable and fun,” said Alaska Department of Health Commissioner Heidi Hedberg. “Developing these skills early can help children build confidence, resilience and strong connections that support their overall well-being.” In addition to the printed activity book, monthly Hope the Husky activities are being made available on its Connections for Kids webpage. New activities will be released regularly and are designed to complement the book, offering families and educators fresh, engaging content throughout the year. The Connections for Kids page serves as a uniquely Alaskan resource, bringing together culturally relevant, easy-to-use materials that support children’s physical,

emotional and social health. Parents, educators and homeschool families can also sign up on the page to be notified when new Hope the Husky activities are released. Printed Hope the Husky activity books are available at select Alaska Department of Health locations, including Division of Public Assistance offices statewide. Parents and educators may also request copies through the Department’s online order form. Hope the Husky is part of the Alaska Department of Health’s ongoing commitment to support families, strengthen prevention efforts and provide practical tools that help children grow up healthy, safe and supported, no matter where they live in Alaska. For more information, to download monthly activities or to sign up for updates, visit Connections for Kids. # # #