Meet the Newest Member of Team Momentum: Wrigley of the Beaver Creek Ski Patrol

Some dogs chase tennis balls. Wrigley is training to chase something much more important: saving lives. We're excited to welcome David Martin and his seven-month-old Border Collie, Wrigley, to Team Momentum.

David has spent the past 26 years as a ski patroller at Beaver Creek Ski Resort in Avon, Colorado, where he has dedicated his career to mountain safety. Wrigley is now following in the paw prints of David's previous avalanche rescue dogs as she trains to become a certified search and rescue canine through Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment (CRAD).

For David, this isn't his first time raising an avalanche dog. Wrigley is the third rescue canine he's trained, and she has some big paw prints to fill.

Her predecessor, Meeka, was also fueled by Dr. Tim's Pet Food throughout her working career. After retiring around age 10, Meeka lived to the remarkable age of 17 years and 3 months.

"That tells me that you have a quality product that I want to feed Wrigley," David shared.

Built for Adventure

Although Wrigley is just beginning her avalanche rescue training, she's already embracing an active lifestyle.

She's an accomplished frisbee dog, loves to swim, and never turns down an opportunity to be outdoors. Whether she's splashing through Beaver Creek, exploring the Eagle River, or chasing waves on the shores of Lake Michigan, Wrigley is happiest when she's moving.

Life as an avalanche rescue dog also means getting comfortable with some unusual experiences. So far, Wrigley has ridden snowmobiles, chairlifts, traveled tucked inside David's ski jacket, and even ridden on his shoulders while navigating the mountain.

One of David's favorite memories so far?

Watching Wrigley ride down the mountain in a rescue toboggan with his supervisor, Addy McCord.

It's all part of preparing for the unpredictable conditions these dogs may face during real rescue missions.

Nutrition That Works as Hard as They Do

Avalanche rescue dogs don't get to clock out when conditions become difficult.

"They can be deployed to the backcountry, where we would search and work, then potentially have to get ourselves out of the backcountry on our own," David explains. "Nutrition plays a large role in our dogs' success."

To fuel Wrigley's demanding lifestyle, David plans to start her on Dr. Tim's Glacier Formula along with Vagabond Freeze-Dried Bites as training rewards.

As her training progresses, those nutrients will help support the endurance, recovery, and energy needed for long days on the mountain.

Follow Their Journey

David plans to share Wrigley's progress throughout her avalanche rescue training, offering regular behind-the-scenes updates as she grows into her role as a working dog.

We're honored to be part of their journey and can't wait to watch Wrigley develop into the next generation of avalanche rescue heroes.

Welcome to Team Momentum, David and Wrigley!