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Missing woman and her dog rescued after spending multiple days in cold Arizona wilderness

Joann Ward and her dog couldn't find their way back to their campsite in Yavapai County.

YAVAPAI COUNTY, Ariz. — A 72-year-old woman and her dog are now safe after they got lost in Yavapai County and had to spend multiple days in the wilderness.

The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office said Joann Ward and her dog Mia were found on Dec. 7 near Camp Wood Road.

A couple of days earlier, Ward had taken Mia for a walk and the dog chased after a rabbit. Ward ran after her dog and the two couldn't find the way back to their campsite. Ward and Mia would snuggle up together to keep each other warm when the temperature dropped in the evenings.

Up to 50 people were involved in searching for Ward and Mia before they were found and brought back to their campsite.

"I am so grateful for Mrs. Ward and her family and that she was home safe, and for the Yavapai County Sheriff Office's Search and Rescue volunteers who went out, found her and brought her home just in time for the holidays," Sheriff David Rhodes said.

Credit: Yavapai County Sheriff's Office

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