"8 Below," the Disney movie released recently on DVD, features a winsome Siberian husky named Maya. The dog's special relationship with her trainer is a key element of the movie, which centers around scientific explorers in Antarctica who use a team of sled dogs to get around.

But Maya is really Jasmine, who lives in Grass Valley with her owner/trainer Barbara Schaefer.

How did a Grass Valley husky get to Hollywood? And specifically, how did Jasmine end up starring in "8 Below"?

Well known for their huskies in the show dog and sled dog community, Barbara Schaefer and her husband were contacted by Disney three years ago.

"They wanted to borrow her (Jasmine) from me for six months," Schaefer said.

Disney wanted Jasmine, 7, to star in a film named "Antarctica."

"Siberian huskies as a breed tend to be independent. But Jasmine is very eager to please," Schaefer said. "She is also very food motivated. This works well for the style of training they do in Hollywood."

Having no children of her own, Schaefer's dogs have become her family. Initially, she was very hesitant in allowing Disney to take Jasmine.

"When they first called me, I was actually quite gruff with them" she said. "Before they came to my house, I had to read and verify their references. I inspected their facilities and I had to meet their trainers. Then I let them come to my house."

Schaefer finally decided the opportunity from Disney was in Jasmine's best interest.

For the next six months, Jasmine lived in the foothills of Los Angeles, preparing and training for the filming of "Antarctica." Unfortunately, Disney decided to cancel the movie.

However, the trainer for Disney enjoyed working with Jasmine so much he asked Schaefer if she might stay longer. Contingent on Jasmine's happiness, Schaefer gave her consent. While Jasmine was in Los Angeles, Disney decided to continue with the movie, changing its name to "8 Below."

Production was moved to Canada and Greenland, and Jasmine was cast as the star, Maya. Because of the extensive training Schaefer had done with Jasmine, she was used for all of the sled dog work shown in the movie.

The other dog who shared the role of Maya was 7-year-old Koda Bear. Koda Bear also stared in "Snow Dogs." Schaefer said Koda Bear was responsible for all of the trick work and close-ups.

One trick scene in the movie shows Maya (but it was really Koda Bear) creeping across extremely thin ice with a rope between her teeth. When she reached the scientist who fell through the ice, she maneuvered the looped part of the rope around the man's head and put the end of the rope in his hand to facilitate the treacherous rescue.

"They (Disney) trained four dogs for each character (sled dogs) and there are eight characters," Schaefer said. "When they got down to filming, they used the best two."

After production had finished, Disney asked Schaefer if they might keep Jasmine awhile longer because of other opportunities they had for her. "Everything is very confidential," Schaefer said of Disney's future plans for Jasmine.

It has been close to three years since Jasmine was last at home in Nevada County. Currently, Jasmine is still in Hollywood, promoting the DVD release of "8 Below."

Schaefer discovered dog sledding while cross-country skiing with her husband several years ago. Since 1987, the Schaefers have been recreationally dog sledding. Since 1999, they have been competing.

The Schaefers raise and train their own Siberian huskies for the winter sport. Currently, Barbara Schaefer trains eight to 10 dogs for a six-dog team.

Schaefer trains her dogs during the summer and spring months at Rollins Lake. During the winter, Schaefer trains in Truckee, where there is a plethora of fresh snow.

"We start training them when they're 6 or 7 months," Schaefer said. "We do leash-pull training when they're yearlings, and then when they're a year-and-a-half old, they have sled-dog training with experienced dogs and a team."

To cover the expenses for so many dogs, Schaefer works at a full-time job. "Half of what I make goes to my dogs," Schaefer said.

ooo

To contact staff writer Lindsey Croft, e-mail lindseyc@theunion.com or call 477-4247.