Twenty-one-year-old Amelia Milling, who is deaf, was hiking alone in Alaska when a fall nearly turned tragic. During a three-day climb, Amelia lost her balance and slid over 700 feet down a snow-covered mountain, finally coming to rest near a boulder. Despite the fall, she suffered no broken bones.
But found herself lost in freezing conditions with over 24 hours passed since the accident. While trying to navigate the unfamiliar terrain, Amelia spotted a white wolf in the distance. To her surprise, it was a husky named Nanook, wearing a collar labeled “guide.” Nanook is a trained trail guide dog, responsible for finding lost hikers and bringing them to safety.
The dog stayed with Amelia overnight, offering companionship and guidance. The next day, when Amelia attempted to cross a river, strong currents pulled her underwater. Nanook jumped in, grabbed her backpack strap, and pulled her out of the cold glacier water. Amelia also had a GPS transmitter, which she used to alert rescue services.
Alaska State Troopers arrived by helicopter and airlifted Amelia to safety, with Nanook by her side. Authorities called the husky a true hero, comparing him to Alaska’s version of Lassie. Nanook had previously saved other hikers and even a little girl from river currents. Amelia credits Nanook for saving her life and keeping her safe throughout the ordeal. Her story highlights the remarkable training and loyalty of guide dogs, proving once again that four-legged friends can be heroes in unexpected ways.