Service dog rescued by Madison County Sheriff’s Office

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office was busy at the Twin Bridges Wednesday . A service dog was swept away by strong current in the Snake River. Cpl. Kindred and detective Burton responded to help rescue the Labrador/Newfoundland cross.

“He’s like my son,” said dog owner Danielle Larsen.

Jack has been her service dog for five years, helping her with her multiple sclerosis.

“With Jack, he mostly helps me with my anxiety issues, but if I fall down he can help me back up,” said Larsen.

Jack and Larsen love coming to Twin Bridges in Madison County with their friends Noel Atkin and Sarge, but this trip took a turn for the worse.

“Well when we pulled up, we weren’t thinking how strong the current would be. It’s normally pretty gentle,” said Larsen.

While playing fetch near the water, Jack was pulled under by a strong current.

“Within just a couple of minutes, he had got caught in the current.” said Larsen.

Jack fought his way through the water until he was able to gain footing on a marshy inlet.

“He was just too tired to try and get back,” said Larsen.

Atkin attempted to swim out to Jack, but after slipping herself, they decided to call the Sheriff’s Office.

“She was awesome. She got all of the information from us, reached out to a deputy, called us back within 10 minutes,” said Atkin.

“Less than that,” said Larsen.

“To let us know they were on their way and that they were going to get a boat and to just hold tight,” said Atkin.

The Sheriff’s Office took Larsen out in the boat. With her help, they were able to navigate to Jack and lift him into the boat to bring him home safely.

“I kinda lifted his front half up and just held him for a while. I told him it was OK, mom’s here, and that he was going to be safe. We ended up having to, I had to hold his head while one of the officers grabbed his rear end and then we finally lifted him into the boat,” said Larsen.

Larsen and Atkin said Madison County went above and beyond.

“And I said, ‘You don’t understand, that dog is so important to me,’ and he said, ‘No, I can see that,'” said Larsen.

The dog is a little tired today after his swim, but he should be back to his old self soon.