CLEVELAND (WJW) What began as a routine educational trip on the Cuyahoga River in Ohio quickly turned into a story of rescue, second chances and unexpected friendship.

On Wednesday morning, a boat filled with city staff and water crews pushed off for what was supposed to be a lesson on water safety. But before long, one of the passengers spotted something unusual in the water.

“One of the passengers said, ‘Hey, there’s a dog,’” said crew member Bill Bratton.

Wedged against a steel piling was a small dog, soaked, shivering and unable to free herself. Bratton didn’t think twice.

“There was a small, what we thought was a puppy, wedged in the sheet piling,” he said.

Bratton grabbed his microphone, called “man overboard” and jumped into action.

“My crew just snapped into action. They do this all the time,” Bratton said.

Together, the crew hauled the frightened pup onto the boat. She was scared, exhausted and in Bratton’s arms all the way to the vet.

Her name now is River, a reminder of where she was found. The man who saved her is hoping to make his home her forever home.

Veterinarians estimate River is about two years old and likely lived as a stray for six months. They believe she may have been trapped in the river for days without food or clean water.

“The vet says two, maybe three days,” Bratton said. “She hadn’t eaten. I doubt she was drinking water—probably only when she had to.”

Now, River has plenty of both. What started as a day of water education became something much greater: a lesson in humanity.

River is no longer adrift and Bratton said he’s grateful he was in the right place at the right time.

“Sometimes you just have to be human. Take a little bit of a risk, do something human,” Bratton said.

River is recovering well, her spirit is strong and her future looks brighter than ever. In saving her, Bratton may have found something just as important, a lifelong companion.