In 1925, Balto, the sled dog helped saved countless lives during an outbreak of diphtheria in Nome, Alaska. The 1925 ‘Great Race of Mercy’ involved a relay of dog sleds who transported the medicine 1085km across Alaska in -31°C temperatures with the assistance of 20 mushers and about 150 sled dogs. Balto was the lead sled dog on the final stretch into the town and was named a hero for saving the town of Nome from being wiped out from disease.