A pet owner is grateful to the Hamden Fire Department after his 7-year-old dog collapsed Wednesday while the two were at Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden, Connecticut.

After hiking the entire park, Maria, a German shepherd mix, collapsed.

>> Read more trending stories

WVIT reported that Maria's owner called for help at 7:23 p.m. Wednesday because he could not move her from the trail on his own.

Maria was found one-third of the way down the trail and was carried to an ATV via a portable stretcher.

The New Haven Register reported that the State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection assisted the firefighters, according to a Thursday news release.

Deputy Fire Chief Gary Merwede said Maria appeared to collapse because of dehydration and exhaustion.

Maria went home to rest with her owner, according to Merwede.