I have a great love for dogs! As does my Dad, Lynn. It was he who recommended this amazing book: A Dog Called Hope. I was immediately intrigued by the storyline as my Dad shared bits and pieces with me. I knew I wanted to read about this dog who helped a wounded serviceman regain his life back.
This is the true story of special ops warrior Jason Morgan who took a daring mission to parachute into the jungle of Central America for an anti-narcotics operation. As a Combat-Weatherman, Jason was serving with the Special Operations Aviation Regiment or SOAR. This particular mission would prove to be life-changing and a great trial. Yet, we learn of miracles and special moments throughout the book.
Jason wakes up from a deep coma to realize he is paralyzed and is told he will never walk again. He does not have any recollection of the accident, in the jungle, or how things happened but he does know he has great determination to walk again.
Horrific injuries Jason sustained were: a broken back, collapsed lungs, and several broken bones. Once a skilled and trained, high-flying elite forces warrior, Jason is now a paraplegic in a wheelchair.
His family of three young boys, a wife at home, and his supportive parents help Jason to move forward. His will to walk again was also very strong.
Jason goes onto have a nerve-graft surgery which requires a huge sum of money. His family helps him raise the needed money and they fly to the clinic in the very country where Jason had received of his injuries.
A special visitor comes to the clinic and we learn it is an American missionary who worked in the area where Jason was badly hurt. He relays the experience when he found Jason.
Time passes by and, over the years, Jason’s pain becomes unbearable. He then learns of a great discovery about a charity called Canine Companions for Independence or CCI. This charity provides service dogs to wounded veterans. Jason looks into this and is matched with a black Labrador service dog named, Napal.
Of his instant relationship with his new dog Jason says, “I was amazed and excited…It feels like we were meant to be. Like it’s predestined; like we have known each other all our lives.”
Napal surely gives Jason hope. Hope to live another day, another week, another year. Hope to be a good father to his boys again and hope in himself. Just knowing Jason has a best friend by his side everyday—even a four-legged friend—kept his spirits high.
Opportunities continue to unfold for Jason as one event after another leads him and Napal around the United States. Countless speaking engagements for CCI, meeting new people, entering marathons with the Wounded Warriors and even being able to go scuba diving are some of the amazing experiences Napal and Jason had together.
Having Napal changes Jason’s outlook on life forever. This extraordinary dog has been raised by CCI trainer, Jim Siegfried, who cares for and trains Napal for 18 months and teaches him 50 commands.
Jason says, “I try to communicate how much easier it is to face an unknowable future with such a dog by your side. I explain the way my dog has revolutionized my life and how he has given me back to the will to live.”
A Dog Called Hope is one I truly learned to appreciate dogs for the amazing animals they are! I understand how they can help, not just one person in need but, thousands more. They touch lives with their tender loving companionship. So, if you love dogs or love the Air Force, this book is for you!
