Cash & Jacob

AUG. 4, 2022

COVID-19 took a massive toll on the world and there was not a single person, place, or thing that was unaffected. Our organization was drastically impacted by losses to our volunteer base and much of our financial support had dissipated. Though we scaled back our efforts and temporarily suspended operations, there was one puppy who remained in the program. Her name was Cash and she was the trainee paired with our Founder, Jacob Angel for the duration of her participation in our program.

Jacob, aside from being the driving force behind this organization is also someone who lives with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, he is a cancer survivor and right leg amputee. In November 2021, Jacob lost his right leg below the knee and would have an elongated track to recovery as he learned to live with his disability. He spent 3 months in Saint Mary’s hospital recovering from surgery and learning to use a wheelchair and then a prosthetic leg to get around. Throughout, his recovery and to this day, Cash was and has been there.

“Originally when I brought Cash home as a puppy, I expected to socialize and train her as I had done with every puppy previously. Little did I know, that she would literally be the sunshine during the darkest time in my life.” - Jacob Angel when asked about his relationship with Cash.

Jacob was hospitalized on and off from March to October 2021, without clear answers or indications of the root cause of his illness, Doctors would patch him up and then discharge him with a course of antibiotics, only to see him return for months or weeks later with similar symptoms. In late October, they found the root cause for his continued illness, it was chronic and he was told his right leg would need to be amputated.

“When they told me that there was no way to save my right leg, I was heartbroken. I thought my life was essentially over and that there was nothing left to do but languish and fade away.” - Jacob Angel when asked about his reaction to having his right leg amputated.

Jacob decided against having the procedure in October because he wanted the chance to see friends in other parts of the country before he would be away for several months. After some time away and a last-minute vacation, Jacob scheduled his surgery for November 12, and at 3 pm that day his right leg was amputated below the knee.

“I remember waking up, dazed and a little confused but then as I looked down, I saw that what I thought was a nightmare was in fact reality. My right foot and ankle had been surgically removed, leaving behind a stump 6 inches below my knee. I couldn’t fathom what had happened and started sobbing uncontrollably. Through the sound of my own crying, I heard a familiar jingle. It was the sound of Cash’s collar, I had forgotten that I asked my father to leave her with me at the hospital. She perked up and walked closer to my bedside. Faster than I could command her to, she jumped up and laid down beside me, nudging my arm with her snout, as if to say “it's gonna be ok, I am here”, she stayed with me all night. As I was plied with opioids for the pain, I would go in and out of sleep, each time I woke up, I felt the familiar coolness of a wet nose on my hand or cheek. And each time, I knew I was safe and in good hands or rather paws.” Jacob Angel describes his first day and night after his amputation with Cash by his side.

Cash spent every day with Jacob in the hospital and was there most nights too. As he started to recover, Cash was his primary motivation and best friend. Jacob had spent a few years training dogs for other people and he put those same skills to use training Cash during his recovery.

“In the early days after my surgery, I couldn’t walk and was reliant on a wheelchair. The conversation hadn’t even started about going home, let alone getting a prosthetic so I could walk again. Most of my days were spent in bed, save the two hours a day I would take Cash out into the hospital courtyard to play and for potty breaks. There was nobody else to help me with her, due to hospital policy and I was told she was my responsibility. If she so much as had an accident in my room or in the halls, she would be sent home, so I made sure she got out every day, because I needed her there. When you’re stuck in a hospital, depression, and sadness become very familiar emotions and some days are worse than others, though it all I had Cash. She was my constant companion, my best friend, and most certainly beyond a buddy. She saved me and kept me focussed on getting better.” Jacob, talking about the early days of his recovery and routine with Cash.

In late December, with the Christmas holiday and Cash’s birthday approaching (Dec. 25th is her birthday), there was a new sense of hopelessness as Jacob’s recovery stalled and was no longer progressing.

“Christmas 2021, was bleak. It was a very sad time for me, I had hoped to be out of the hospital and home for Christmas. It was another milestone that I had missed since I also spent my 30th Birthday in that same hospital room and bed. But this was also Cash’s first birthday, she was turning a year old and I was determined to make it special. So, I took to amazon and ordered her treats, toys, and a stocking with a big “C” on it. Come Christmas morning we woke up and I watched her rip into her stocking with cautious optimism. Giving Cash a happy birthday, gave me a very Happy Christmas. Throughout, the rest of the month and into January, Cash did a lot of training together, we would frequently spend time in the courtyard drilling and playing fetch.” Jacob, recalling his last months in the hospital with Cash.

Cash and Jacob became a team and since she had been with him since 8 weeks of age, they had imprinted on each other. Throughout all Jacob’s hospital stays prior to his three-month stay after his amputation, Cash was always there. Whether it was for daily visits or weekend sleepovers, they bonded with one another. During his post-op recovery, Jacob and Cash visited other patients and the rehab floors of Saint Mary’s, Cash with her big eyes and chipper disposition brought smiles to everyone they encountered.

“Throughout my time at Saint Mary’s and beyond, Cash has always been a source of smiles, not only for me but for everyone we come across. She is a very happy dog, who is eager to meet new people and loves to show off her skills. Cash is very much my dog and I am proud to call him my service dog. She is a dog with many amazing attributes and has many practical skills that help me as an amputee. Since I left the hospital, she’s learned to bring me my prosthetic leg, my wallet, keys, and phone whenever I drop them, and most impressive is the fact that if I fall, she is there to help me back up. Her practical skills are very helpful to me, but the best part about us as a team is that she understands me and I understand her. But practicality aside, Cash is there for me when things get sad. Fact is, all of this is still an adjustment and I still get sad from time to time. Whether it is that I am in pain one day or I look down to see carbon fiber and titanium where my leg and foot once were, it is sad and a touch depressing. But in those moments, I look into the big brown eyes of this black Labrador and I just smile. Because while I may feel sad at that moment, she forces me to remember that I have one big furry reason to be happy. Which is, Cash loves me and I love her.” Jacob reflects on the practical and emotional elements of having Cash as his service dog.

Cash and Jacob have been together since February 2021 and will be a team far into the future. Cash graduated from our program in February 2022 and was placed permanently with Jacob in April of this year. Together, they’ve continued her training and she has been qualified as a therapy dog and victim services dog. These designations allow Cash and Jacob to visit medical facilities and disaster areas to bring smiles and comfort to people in the local community, state, and across the nation.

“Cash and I are a solid team, there is no doubt about it. We are still training puppies to become service dogs and given the over 2,300 hours of training Cash has under her belt, she is an excellent teacher who gives new meaning to the phrase “monkey see monkey do”, our trainees follow her lead and she has no problem correcting them. The bond I share with Cash and the help she continues to provide to me is something that is hard to quantify, it is a priceless gift that I can never repay to her. We continue to do this work because there are so many who can use the help of a trained and loving service dog. I want to see everyone who is dealing with a mental or physical health-related challenge benefit from the kind of bond I have with Cash. Because, trust me when I say it really helps” Jacob, when asked about the value service dogs can provide to those confronted with mental or physical health-related challenges.

Providing service dogs is what we do and while we are a small organization that has dealt with some setbacks, we remain committed to our mission and are excited to continue our work training a new batch of trainees this month and into August of 2022.