(slow-loading video, please be patient:)
Meet Tikka, Colorado’s newest avalanche rescue pup-in-training, and her handler, Erich. They are currently based at the Arapahoe Basin Ski Area (aka A-Basin) west of Denver. And yes, she’s a golden retriever.
On average, avalanches kill six people in Colorado every year, so Tikka has an important job ahead of her.
Update, Dec. 29, 2025: Found a 2022 video on Facebook showing Tikka at work as an adult. You can view it without logging into Facebook. Be sure your sound is on.
Wow
Cute, isn’t she. Goldens are so good at rescue work.
Darling
Hope you caught the video. It loads very slowly for me.
She’s frickin’ adorable, and a very good girl!
Tough assignment for her trainer!
I know. I just don’t see how he can go in every day. 😉
All those puppy kisses. Terrible. 😋
And he probably has to take his work home at night, too.
That’s really ruff. 😂
🙄
Serious job – and it couldn’t be in better paws
Cute!
I’ve no doubt she’s gonna be great.