A pit bull puppy named Jake, once trapped and badly burned in a garage fire, has become an unlikely hero at the Hanahan Fire Department in South Carolina. Last April, firefighter Bill Lindler responded to a fire at his neighbour’s garage and found Jake struggling to escape, injured after a piece of the ceiling collapsed on him.
After rescuing Jake, Lindler performed mouth-to-snout resuscitation and rushed him to a vet. Despite suffering burns over 70% of his body, Jake survived, but his owners did not return to claim him. Lindler decided to adopt Jake, and after weeks of recovery, he began bringing the puppy to the fire station.
Jake’s presence quickly lifted the spirits of the firefighters, and he became a fixture at the station, even donning a custom firefighter jacket. He also participated in local fire safety programs.
In December, Jake was officially sworn in as an honorary firefighter and named the department’s mascot. Lindler hopes Jake will eventually become a therapy dog for burn victims or an arson detection dog. “Jake’s scars are his badge,” said Lindler. “He’s a true survivor.”
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