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An elderly Long Island physician is alive after a four day ordeal thanks to Chase, a 4 yr. old German Shepherd member of the NY State Park Police. Dr. Jerome Nadler went fly fishing on Labor Day at a Smithtown, NY nature preserve and did not return that evening.
Chase and his handler, Chase first located a container of floatant which is used to keep fly fishing lures buoyant. Dr. Nadler was then found approximately 50 feet away from the container and semi-conscious. Despite commands to return from his handler, Chase remained faithfully beside the stricken man until police officers came and rescued the doctor. Nadler was airlifted from the scene and taken to Stony Brook Hospital.
Nadler was in a clearing hidden from view by dense brush and thicket about a mile from where he had been fishing, shortly after noon on Thursday. Dr. Nadler’s son, Matthew Nadler, claims that “the dog made all the difference”. New York State Park Police Chief Richard O’Donnell commented on Wednesday that canines “can do things that feet sometimes can’t. The dog is definitely a hero”.
His family did not expect the 76 yr. old man to be found alive after days spent in rain and high humidity. “We just could not believe that this man was still alive,” said canine officer William Krolikiewicz. “For an older gentleman that was in the woods for four days, in my opinion he was in excellent condition.” According to police, Nadler was covered in “about a million bug bites” and was dehydrated. His condition is serious, but he is expected to recover.
And he has dog to thank for it.
