Riley Winnert is being recognized for saving this dog, Morty, from a ravine at Chestnut Ridge Park over the summer.

"I felt pretty good. I mean like it's the same thing, like I mean I got a dog at home," said Winnert.

Winnert works as part of the seasonal maintenance crew, and was driving through the park when he noticed a lady off to the side of the road flagging him down.

"I figured something was up," said Winnert. "So, I just pulled over and and asked what was going on."

She told him that when she unleashed her dog to get it in the car parked in the nearby lot, Morty ran down the road on a path to the ravine and out of sight.

Winnert then went up to the Ranger House.

"[I] just let them know what was going on, spoke to the ranger who was on duty and just headed back down. He said he'd meet me down in a few minutes," said Winnert.

Once he got back to the ravine, he started walking about two and half miles, stepping on rocks, over puddles and through a number of other obstacles.

About an hour and a half into his journey, Morty was spotted on the side of the ravine. Winnert and the ranger were able to get his attention, move in, successfully leash Morty and safely return the dog to his grateful owner.

"You imagine yourself in those shoes, it's like, I'd be pretty upset if my dog got off leash too and ran all the way down a ravine," said Winnert.

Yet, like many in Winnert's shoes, he says he doesn't necessarily consider himself a hero.

"I'm sure a lot of people probably give the same answer for this award, like you don't really feel like you did anything special," said Winnert.

Yet, he says he is still appreciative to the American Red Cross for recognizing his efforts, being in the right place at the right time. 

"It kind of brings to light like, 'oh, you did something a little above and beyond what most people would do.; It's a good feeling," said Winnert.

And that's why Riley Winnert is your 2023 Animal Rescue Red Cross Real Hero.