Jake, a Labrador mix, tried a couple of times to be a search and rescue dog or a service dog, but he did not make the cut. Luckily, he finally found the perfect job for him on his third attempt as an emotional support dog. And from then on, he served at the Anderson County District Attorney General’s Office in Tennessee.
Folks at the office tagged him as “Jake the DA Dog.” He currently works three to four times a week and even takes time to support victims in court.
According to General Dave Clark, Jake was supposed to be a search and rescue dog. He had undergone several parts of training to search for people trapped or injured inside a collapsed building. But, his paws were too gentle for the task than others who were suited for the work. So, somebody referred him to an adoption agency where he could try to become a service dog.
As Jake was getting trained to work with a few disabled individuals, he seemed to have difficulty. Because when he smells a cadaver, he would immediately run to it. With this record, his trainers decided not to pair him with a disabled person because it would just put their lives at risk.
One day, Jake’s owner, Rhoni Brooks Standefer, whose work is at the district attorney’s office, brought him into her workplace. It was that time when the dog discovered just where he belonged. Rhoni realized that her furry friend was empathetic and tender with people, especially with the victims who come in at the office. She noticed how Jake could instantly sense a victim’s emotional need and how he could comfort one without hesitation.
With what Jake showed towards the victims, Rhoni decided to have him in the office. Now, he works as an emotional support dog.
Source: Jake – The DA Dog via Facebook