A Very Good Dog Named Patsy Has Saved More Than 220 Sheep From Australia’s Fires

Australia is in the middle of one of its worst bushfire seasons on record, but the news coming from the continent isn't all disheartening. People around the world are mobilizing to help in any way they can, and in Australia, the heroes helping victims of the blazes include a sheepdog named Patsy.

As NBC News reports, the shepherd mix has been credited with herding more than 220 sheep to safety as a wildfire swept into the small town of Corryong in Victoria. At 4:15 a.m. on New Year's Eve, Stephen Hill arrived at his cousin's farm, where Patsy lived with the flock of sheep. Riding a four-wheeler, he joined the shepherd mix as she led the sheep away from the threatened barn where they were gathered to a barn in a safer area.

Her quick actions in the face of danger helped prevent a disaster. Of the flock of roughly 220, only six of the sheep didn't survive.

Since bushfires started blazing across Australia last year, it's estimated that up to 1 billion animals have died. But you don't need to be a heroic sheepdog to help Australia's wildlife. If you know how to craft, you can knit handmade pouches for animals displaced by the fires.