Ian Bunbury was suspended 4,000 feet in the air via a harness with his dog Henry for four hours while shooting a movie scene at Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort in British Columbia, Canada.
Bunbury looked at his dog as the pair traveled in various positions up and down the hill.
“If it wasn’t for this dog, I wouldn’t be doing this,” Bunbury, trainer and handler of Henry, said Friday at the Carnegie Science Center on the North Shore. “And Henry looked at me like …. ‘If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be either.’ ”
That moment became the opening scene in the documentary “Superpower Dogs 3D” showing at the science center’s Rangos Giant Cinema.
Bunbury, a professional ski patrol member, will discuss the work they do for the Senior Avalanche Rescue Dog Team, working as volunteers with the Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association.
Henry is the third Border Collie that Bunbury has trained for Avalanche Search and Rescue.
Bunbury and Henry will be at the science center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The duo will participate in a meet-and-greet and a “paw-tograph” session with guests, and will introduce the film at several showings — 12:30, 1:45 and 3 p.m.
Calling all dog lovers! THIS SATURDAY, you can meet one of the four-legged stars of @SuperpowerDogs 3D @CarnegieSciCtr! #SuperpowerDogs Henry and his handler/trainer Ian Bunbury are coming to #Pittsburgh! INFO: https://t.co/KZGjJThdst pic.twitter.com/PPv7L0xpY5
— TheRangosGiantCinema (@RangosCinema) December 5, 2019
Bunbury, of Whistler in the British Columbia province of Canada, got Henry in 2012 at 7 weeks of age from Boywood Border Collies in Claremont, Ontario. Henry was discovered when the movie’s writer/director Daniel Ferguson came to the resort looking for talent. Henry impressed the writer, who told Bunbury that Henry was the perfect canine for the job.
It took several years for the film to happen. One condition was to travel to cities where it was playing. Pittsburgh is one of 15 stops.
Henry is more than an actor.
“Henry is a real-life work dog,” Bunbury said. “He does what you see in the film.”
The two have a special connection. Henry rarely takes his eyes off Bunbury, who said seeing how science center guests have responded to the dog since they’ve arrived is moving.
“My heart has been touched by the moments I see kids come up to my animal,” Bunbury said. “It’s life-changing.”
Henry opens the 45-minute documentary in the aforementioned dramatic avalanche rescue scene of which the canine is familiar.
The dog’s strong herding instincts — combined with the Border Collies’ legendary work ethic, their natural smarts and physical soundness — make for a great canine working partner, Bunbury said.
The dog has an impressive working heritage, Bunbury said — Henry’s grandfather was a Reserve World Herding Champion.
Their weekly training includes transportation by snowmobile, toboggan and chairlift, and riding on Bunbury’s shoulders. They also train annually in helicopter long line insertion and extrication.
Mars Petcare is the presenting sponsor of “Superpower Dogs 3D.”
