Meet Jacob, the reigning North American Bear Cub 2026, and Bruno, the rescue puppy learning to become his service dog (with the help of Dan Perata Training).
Jacob Gomez went into Macy’s to buy toys for a friend’s holiday toy drive. He came out having adopted a dog.
Every holiday season, San Francisco’s Union Square Macy’s hosts adoptable animals from the San Francisco SPCA. The kittens were featured in the windows, but Jacob was making his way toward the toy section when he spotted the puppies inside.
It had been a few years since Jacob had lost his previous dog. But one puppy, a shy little fellow who seemed nervous about all the activity, caught his attention. Jacob asked an attendant about him; the puppy had come in with a litter and was waiting to be adopted. She offered to take them into a back office, where he could spend some time getting to know the puppy away from the noise.
He hadn’t been looking for another, but sitting there with this puppy, he decided he was ready to open his home to a dog again. He adopted him that afternoon.
At first, the puppy’s name was Chad. Jacob had other ideas.
“That [name ] seemed very white-fraternity-bro-in-the-South,” Jacob says. “I was like, yeah, no.”
He put three possibilities to a vote on social media: Bruno, Bourbon, and Johnny. In the end, Bruno won out.
The last two were whiskey names, chosen for the puppy’s coloring. There was a coincidence in the timing. That same week, Jacob had received an email from the Kentucky Bourbon Bears—event hosts from a state known for their bourbon whiskey. In two months, Jacob would be flying to Lexington to compete for another national title.
Meet Jacob: A National Titleholder With A Purpose
Also known in the bear community as JaeCub, Jacob is the reigning North American Bear Cub 2026. He previously held the titles of Bay Area Cub 2025 and Texas Bear Roundup Cub 29.
For those unfamiliar with the bear community, these titles recognize people who participate in and represent a branch of LGBTQ+ culture centered on body positivity, inclusive community, and self-expression. Titleholders often spend their year traveling, appearing at events, raising funds, and supporting other members of the community.
Jacob has cerebral palsy and has used a wheelchair throughout his life. When he began attending bear events, he rarely encountered community members who had lived with a disability since childhood.
He wanted younger disabled people to see someone like themselves participating in spaces they might otherwise feel uncertain about entering these spaces.
“I want to make sure that if somehow my presence somewhere—whether it be an article or photos of me just competing—some 18, 20-year-old who hasn’t gone to a bar yet [who] wanted to go to a bar…” Jacob says, “If this person is out here doing it, then it could possibly be feasible for me.”
His advocacy extends beyond competitions. He has volunteered to make community event spaces more accessible to people using mobility devices, and he regularly helps those interested in running for titles plan for events and assists titleholders organize events.
But before Jacob could make his way to Kentucky for the North American Bear competition, he had a more immediate problem to solve.
He needed someone to look after Bruno.
A Boarding Reservation Becomes Something More
Jacob had been interested in finding a trainer from the beginning. With a new puppy, a fixed income, and plenty of other responsibilities, though, he wasn’t sure where to start.
As his departure approached, he realized he also needed to arrange boarding. His in-home care provider couldn’t look after Bruno for health reasons, and Jacob was running out of time.
About 48 hours before his flight, he reached out to Dan Perata and Natasha Koral at Dan Perata Training.
Jacob says, “I contacted Dan and Natasha and I was like, listen, I’m very desperate, I need a place I can leave him for a week.”
At first, he was simply hoping to find somewhere Bruno could stay for the week. But during his initial conversations with Dan, another possibility emerged.
Dan suggested they could work toward training Bruno as a service dog, with the goal of helping Jacob manage practical tasks and potentially accompany him during travel.
“I was really excited and really hopeful,” Jacob says.
What began as an urgent search for boarding had become an opportunity to develop a training plan with his new dog. It would take time, and there was plenty they both needed to learn. But Jacob now had a training direction that could make a meaningful difference in their everyday lives.
The Support Tasks Bruno Helps With Every Day
For Jacob, Bruno’s training has a specific purpose: helping him with everyday tasks affected by his disability. While Bruno is still developing his skills, he’s already learning to retrieve dropped objects and carry items when Jacob’s hand is occupied operating his wheelchair.
When Jacob drops an item, he can ask Bruno to pick it up and bring it back. Bruno understands the retrieval, although giving the object back is still a work in progress. He is, after all, a one-year-old puppy.
Bruno also helps carry suitable objects. Jacob can give him something sturdy enough to hold safely in his mouth, then retrieve it when his hand is free again.
Bruno is also beginning to respond to Jacob’s emotional state. When Jacob becomes anxious while they’re out together, Bruno provides physical response as a part of their developing partnership.
A Big Puppy With A Lot Of Energy
Bruno turned one in September 2026. He is still a young dog working on consistency, self-control, and responding reliably to Jacob’s instructions.
He weighs approximately 80 pounds, and a DNA test revealed a mix that includes Australian cattle dog, American bully, Labrador retriever, American pit bull terrier, and German shepherd.
Jacob sums up his personality: “He’s smart, but also stubborn and hyperactive.”
Jacob has learned to pay attention to Bruno’s energy levels and recognize which environments he is ready to handle. They’ve visited a bar or two together, but Jacob tries to choose quieter times. A crowded space full of people, noise, and other distractions can be too much for a young dog still learning to maintain his focus.
Jacob actively chooses quieter environments while Bruno develops his skills as a part of making sure they’re both comfortable and safe.
Their walks present another challenge: people who want to meet Bruno. Although Bruno wears a vest identifying him as a puppy in training and asking people not to interact, strangers still approach. Other dog owners sometimes ask whether their dogs can play with him.
Jacob understands the impulse. Bruno is a lovable puppy, and people are naturally drawn to him. “I get it. He’s a big boy for a one-year-old,” Jacob says. “But at the same time, if you see this vest and it says do not interact, don’t interact.”
Training Doesn't End When You Leave The Facility
At Dan Perata Training, we say that training includes helping owners understand their dogs, learning how to communicate consistently, and practicing new skills in everyday situations.
For Jacob and Bruno, that practice has become an ongoing part of life. Throughout the summer’s busy Pride season, Jacob continued working with Bruno on the skills they’d developed through training, adjusting to the challenges of having a young, energetic dog.
“With training, it’s helped me realize that […] dogs can be fun, and dogs are loving members of their family, but they still need a bit of structure like humans do,” Jacob says.
Even on difficult days, caring for Bruno gives him responsibilities to return to and training goals to keep working toward. It’s a commitment he takes seriously, both for Bruno’s well-being and for their progress together.
“I look over at him, and […] I need to keep myself accountable so I can keep his training going and keep it up to a standard.”
The relationship is reciprocal in a very practical sense. Bruno is learning to help Jacob navigate daily life. Jacob, in turn, is learning how to give Bruno the exercise, attention, guidance, and consistency he needs.
Looking Ahead
For now, Jacob is enjoying life at home with Bruno and their housemates after the busy Pride season—and practicing his other hobbies like gaming, reading (especially gay romance), and enjoying TV trivia as a true media lover.
Jacob is also continuing his work in the bear community, supporting fellow titleholders and advocating for more accessible spaces.
When asked what advice he would offer someone considering a service dog, Jacob was reluctant to present himself as an expert. He’s still learning, he explained, and encourages people to speak with experienced service dog handlers about their experiences.
There is no rush to have every part of Bruno’s training figured out. At one year old, he has plenty of growing to do. And Jacob is right there with him.
Follow Jacob And Bruno's Journey
Learn more about Jacob, known as JaeCub, on Instagram (@_jaecub_) and follow his community work and titleholder experiences.
More client stories: Finding Confidence: A Puppy, a Program, and a Very Determined Dog Mom and A Conversation with Annie & Pablo, Interview with Kelli: A Journey with DPT, and Cassady and Sailor: Spotlight Interview.
Let Dan Perata & Team Be A Part Of Your Story
Interested in building a stronger relationship with your own dog? At Dan Perata Training, we work with dogs and their owners to develop practical skills, consistent communication, and lasting habits. Call us at (415) 373-0889 or email fetch@danperata.com for dog & puppy training, board & training, and pet daycare/pet boarding as well as private training.
Learn more about Dan Perata Training, our training approach, and what a week of training looks like.