An 82-year-old Oregon woman was found alive after getting lost overnight in freezing woods — thanks to her loyal dog, whose barking helped rescuers locate her in time.

Elmira, Oregon — January 2, 2026

Loyal Dog Saves 82-Year-Old Woman Lost in the Woods at Night

Oregon Woman Goes Missing with Her Dog

An 82-year-old woman from Oregon was found safe after she got lost in thick woods in near freezing temperatures. Her loyal dog helped keep her warm and led rescuers to her. The dog’s actions may have saved her life, according to search and rescue volunteers.

The woman, Karen Joyce Davis, had gone missing on December 29. She was walking in the woods near Elmira, Oregon, with her blue heeler cattle dog, named Cami, when she disappeared. The Lane County Sheriff’s Office shared updates on social media as the search continued that night.

Davis has dementia, which can make it hard for a person to remember directions or stay safe on their own in the woods. Her family became worried when she did not return home. They called the authorities and reported her missing.

Search Teams Respond Quickly

The sheriff’s office and Lane County Search & Rescue quickly organized a search for Davis and her dog. Volunteers from Lane Fire Authority also helped. The woods where she was last seen are thick, dark, and steep in many places.

At first, search teams had few clues. Davis and Cami had walked into the trees and were out of sight. The search began in the late afternoon and continued after dark as temperatures dropped close to freezing.

Volunteers combed through the woods, calling Davis’s name and trying to listen for any response. But Davis is not known to respond when her name is called. Her dog Cami is also known to be quiet and rarely barks.

The Dog Leads Rescuers to Safety

After hours of searching, a volunteer named Katie Sciotto decided to try something different. She called out, not for Davis, but for the dog.

“I yelled ‘Cami,’” Sciotto later told a local news outlet. “Very faintly, about 300 yards away, I heard a dog bark.”

Searchers at her side suddenly knew they were close. They ran toward the sound through rough terrain, slipping and falling on the uneven ground in the dark.

Soon they found Cami and Davis together. The dog was close to her owner, staying by her side through the long, cold hours. Rescuers said the dog kept Davis warm until help arrived.

Hypothermia Treatment and Hospital Care

Search and rescue workers treated Davis for hypothermia before carrying her safely out of the woods. Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in body temperature that can happen when someone is exposed to cold conditions for too long.

After rescuers got Davis to safety, they transported her to a nearby hospital for further care. Her condition was stable, and she was expected to recover after the terrifying night in the woods.

Community and Sheriff Praise

In a social media post, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office praised the efforts of everyone involved. They thanked area residents, Lane Fire Authority, and especially Cami, the loyal dog who played a key role in finding Davis.

“Without Cami, we likely would not have found her,” volunteer Sciotto said. “The temperature was near freezing, and I don’t know if she would have made it overnight.”

Photos shared by the sheriff’s office showed Cami with her head resting on Davis as rescue volunteers tended to her. Other images highlighted the darkness and thickness of the wooded area where Davis had been lost.

Cami’s Loyalty Highlights Bond Between Pets and Owners

Local news outlets reported that Cami stayed very close to Davis the entire time she was lost. The dog did not leave her side, even when the woods were cold and dark. Rescuers said Cami’s actions helped Davis stay alert and preserved her body heat until help arrived.

The Oregon community praised Cami online, with many people calling the dog a hero. Some said they were moved to tears by the story and inspired by the bond between a woman and her pet.

Experts say that dogs can be trained to do search and rescue work. But even pets with no formal training can show incredible instincts when their owners are in danger. Cami’s actions reminded many people why dogs are considered man’s best friend.

Blue Heeler Breed Known for Loyalty

Cami, a blue heeler cattle dog, is a breed known for being loyal and hardworking. These dogs were originally bred to help farmers herd cattle. Their strong work ethic and strong bond with their owners make them special companions.

In Davis’s case, those same traits helped keep her alive. As the night grew colder and darker, Cami stayed close to Davis, offering warmth and comfort. When she heard rescuers calling the dog’s name, she barked, giving the search team the first real clue to their location.

Volunteer Efforts and Training

Search and rescue teams in Oregon often prepare for challenges like this. Volunteers train for numerous scenarios, including searches in rough terrain, dense forests, and cold conditions. But every rescue is different, and volunteers say they never know what to expect.

Katie Sciotto, the rescue volunteer who heard Cami bark, said that moment was unforgettable. She had been searching for hours with little success. When she finally heard Cami’s faint bark, she and her team ran toward it without hesitation.

“It was like a sign,” Sciotto said. “We knew we had to follow that sound.”

Sciotto and her team worked together, keeping each other steady as they moved through steep and uneven ground. Other volunteers soon joined them, and before long, they reached Davis and Cami.

Davis’s Condition After Rescue

When they found Davis, she was sitting but clearly cold. Volunteers wrapped blankets around her and checked her vital signs. They confirmed she had signs of hypothermia but was still conscious and responsive.

Through it all, Cami stayed by her owner’s side. The dog even showed affection toward the volunteers as they tended to Davis, licking rescuers’ hands.

After securing Davis and getting her medical attention, rescuers carried her out of the woods with care. The walk out was slow because of the steep terrain and the need to ensure her safety. Volunteers worked together to make sure she was secure.

At the hospital, doctors continued to monitor Davis’s condition. Her family was relieved and thankful that she was found and that she would recover.

Community Reaction and Praise for Cami

The story quickly spread on social media, where many people shared messages of support for Davis and admiration for Cami. Some social media users wrote about their own experiences with loyal pets. Others urged readers to hug their own pets and treasure every moment with them.

Davis’s family also released a statement thanking everyone who helped. They said they were grateful for the hard work of the search and rescue volunteers and for the community’s support. Most of all, they thanked Cami, whom they called “a true lifesaver.”

Lessons from the Rescue

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office said the search would not have been successful without everyone involved. They thanked volunteers who worked tirelessly through the night. They also emphasized that community support and teamwork were important in bringing Davis home safely.

Experts say that staying warm and calm is key to surviving cold weather situations. Cami’s presence provided both heat and emotional comfort. Dogs are known to sense danger and emotions in humans, which may explain why Cami stayed so close to Davis.

Conclusion: A Bond That Saved a Life

Davis’s story serves as a reminder of the strong bond between humans and animals. It shows how pets can play a vital role not only in everyday life but also in life-threatening situations.

For Cami, life returned to normal. The loyal dog stayed close to Davis and seemed happy to be home. The family said they would never forget how Cami helped save Davis when she needed it most