A family dog is credited with keeping a little girl safe after she spent the overnight hours Friday in 30 degree temperatures near Cordes Lakes, 36 miles east of Prescott.

Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Dwight D’Evelyn credits the dog, a Queensland Heeler, with 3-year-old Victoria Bensch’s survival.

A Department of Public Safety helicopter crew saw movement and found the little girl and her dog just before 9 o’clock Friday morning, three-quarters of a mile from her home.

D’Evelyn said the DPS crew landed and then flew the child back to be reunited her mother and father.

The child was then flown to Phoenix Children’s Hospital where she will be treated for frostbite.

Authorities said the little girl was outside playing early Thursday evening when she disappeared along with her dog.

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