A Sunday afternoon hike nearly turned tragic for two 11-year-old Indiana children who became lost in the dense woods of Hoosier National Forest. Around 6 p.m. on August 5, authorities rushed to the Sundance Lake area after the pair were separated from their mother.

First responders from multiple agencies — including the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Natural Resources–Law Enforcement, Nashville Police Department, Harrison Township Fire Department and Southern Brown Volunteer Fire Department — were initially unsuccessful in finding the kids. But when Brown County Sheriff’s K-9 Knox arrived on scene, he quickly picked up a scent.

Knox and his handler, Deputy Cody Loncaric, led officers toward the area where the kids were found. “Knox began his first track in the field, which was approximately 550 yards in length,” Brown County Sheriff’s Office shared on social media in October. “K-9 Knox pointed first responders in the right direction and helped to successfully locate the two missing juveniles.”

Officials didn’t mention how long the children had been missing, but they appear to have been unharmed when they were found. According to the agency’s press release, officials were “beyond grateful for the great teamwork put together by all involved.”