On the chilly afternoon of October 10, 2025, a heart-stopping ordeal in the woods of Dorchester, New Hampshire ended with a heroic act that has quietly become the talk of the rescue-dog world. A 2-year-old girl wandered from her home into the heavily wooded terrain, dressed only in thin leggings and a light sweater—while the temperature hovered already in the 40s and was set to plunge toward the 20s overnight.
Enter Freyja—an experienced 7-year-old German Shepherd with New England K9 Search and Rescue and her handler Jeremy Corson. They drove 40 miles from Concord to help in the rescue. Together they embarked on a search through dense terrain where visibility was mere feet and hope was fading. What followed was nothing short of miraculous.
The Disappearance
On that afternoon, the toddler slipped out of her family’s secured backyard after the family’s two dogs pushed through the fence and created an opening.
With her small frame and light clothing, she wandered into the woods—an area the local police and volunteers characterized as “a really rough piece of woods.”
By the time authorities arrived, the sun was already dipping and the cold was creeping in. One of the on-scene officers later explained that the urgency was heightened because “the more time passes, the more they can travel.”
Over 90 volunteers rallied at the site, joining the effort to find her before overnight temperatures dropped dangerously low.
Enter the Hero Dog
Freyja and her handler Jeremy arrived on scene—and at approximately 8 p.m., nearly five hours after the toddler had gone missing, Freyja began tracking her scent through terrain where “you couldn’t see much more than a couple feet in front of you at any particular moment.”
The moment of discovery came when Freyja, nose to the ground, followed the scent to where the child was huddled, cold and frightened. Jeremy called out her name—and she answered. “I could definitely tell she was cold and scared,” Jeremy later reflected.
The Rescue and Reunion
In one decisive moment, Freyja located the toddler and Jeremy scooped her into his arms, navigating through tangled underbrush and cold, damp air to bring her back safely. The toddler was taken to hospital for a full-body check, though she was soon reported as OK.
At home, the family broke down in relief and thanks. Jeremy described the scene as “absolutely ecstatic,” with the mother “very happy, very emotional and broke down.”
More Than a Happy Ending
This story is more than just a happy ending—it highlights the vital role of trained search-and-rescue dogs in life-threatening situations. Time was of the essence: with a toddler, cold weather, and dense terrain, every minute counted. Expert tracking, canine ability, and human coordination combined to avert tragedy.
It also speaks to the invisible teamwork behind the scenes—the volunteers, the handler who drove 40 miles from Concord, New Hampshire, and the countless hours of preparation and training that go into a certified K9 team.
In the detritus of fear and cold, one focused nose led the way. Freyja the German Shepherd didn’t just find a missing child—she bridged the gap between dread and safety, turning what could have been a tragedy into a story of hope, teamwork, and heroism.
Andrew Alpin from India is the Brand Manager of Doggo digest. Andrew is an experienced content specialist and social media manager with a passion for writing. His forte includes health and wellness, Travel, Animals, and Nature. A nature nomad, Andrew is obsessed with mountains and loves high-altitude trekking. He has been on several Himalayan treks in India including the Everest Base Camp in Nepal.
