The rigors of military training tapped Jacob’s inner strength. Years later, a rescue dog inspired him to dig deep once again to cope with the challenges of divorce.

“Suffer in silence”

Jacob spent the entirety of his enlistment in various intelligence roles. He served at the National Security Agency in Maryland, as well as with the 1st Radio Battalion at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. While there he served as a signals intelligence analyst.

Jacob’s work was critical to the unfolding war in Afghanistan. He was responsible to synthesize intelligence data to develop targets against enemy forces.

Yet it was a training exercise in his earliest days as a Marine that gave Jacob a memory to last a lifetime.

“Many of us were throwing up, falling out, and just generally struggling,” he recalls. “Eventually one of our staff sergeants – who most of us had never heard speak – stepped forward and said, ‘suffer in silence, Marines.'”

In that moment Jacob realized that he would have to summon an inner strength to prevail.

“While it seems crazy now,” he shares, “at the time it was very motivational, because we all looked up to him. And we understood that our complaining wasn’t making the suffering better.”

Life after service

Jacob grew up in St Louis and now calls North Carolina home. He works in information technology where he can draw upon some of the skills he learned in the military.

When not at work the Marine veteran loves to read, scuba dive, and enjoy the outdoors with his dogs. And of course he cherishes time with his daughter – all the more so following his divorce.

Yet he returns to that invaluable lesson he learned as a Marine in training.

“Marines accept the task given to them and [to] accomplish it without complaints. However, while it taught me a valuable skill while in the Corps,” he shares, “suffering in silence nearly killed me when I was out.”

For the love of dogs

Jacob understood that it was not healthy to keep his feelings bottled up. But at the same time, he knew that he had to summon an inner strength to deal with life’s adversities. His divorce put that resilience to the test.

So as a dog lover it was not surprising that Jacob would turn to companion pet adoption to help him cope.

“I have always loved dogs. After my divorce, I needed something that needed me to take care of it to force me to take care of myself,” he says. “And I’ve just never been able to be quite as down when I have a dog around.”

Best friend for free

In April 2022 Jacob visited APA Adoption Center of Missouri. Since 2017 the shelter waives adoption fees for our veterans. Staff told him how our partnership helps overlooked animals find loving military homes.

The Marine Corps veteran applied to and was approved into our program. And the very next day he met Lyric, a large, mixed-breed dog with stunning, bi-color eyes.

Jacob adopted Lyric on the spot. He appreciates adopting Lyric through our partnership with APA Adoption Center of Missouri.

“I was able to adopt a dog for free,” he says, “with other support offered through the organization, as well.”

Pets for Patriots offers a range of benefits aimed at reducing both pet care costs and pet surrender.

“…lifesavers”

It would not be long til the rescue dog renewed Jacob’s inner strength and resilience. Lyric is the perfect mix of active and restful. And she loves the Marine who saved her.

“She is super energetic and loving. Always ready for a long walk, but also ready to take a nap,” he shares.

The pair became best friends. Lyric knows when Jacob needs to get out of the house, and when he needs to have quite moments at home.

And in time Lyric would inspire Jacob to take in a neighboring dog, Buddy, whose guardian no longer wanted him.

“She is my best friend,” he says of Lyric, “and she is the reason I got my other dog. He was a stray that found us while playing in the park. We found his old owner and they allowed us to keep him.”

Jacob has a wellspring of inner strength with not one, but two dogs in his life. Their daily needs demand that he gets outdoors – even when he might feel more inclined to isolate himself.

Lyric and Buddy are boons to the Marine veteran’s physical and mental health. Their needs – for shelter, exercise, food, and love – inspire Jacob to take good care of himself as well.

“They have forced me to leave the house when I would have otherwise stayed in,” he shares. “They’re both lifesavers.”