It is unknown whether Jake 's cancer can be linked to his rescue work at Ground Zero . Cancer is a very common disease for dogs around Jake 's age . Some rescue dog owners have claimed that their dogs have died because of their exposure to the air at the World Trade Center site in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks . However , scientists who have studied the health of rescue animals who worked Ground Zero have found no major signs of illness . In contrast , a 2007 study of 20,000 human rescue workers , such as firefighters , has found that 70 % of these workers suffer from respiratory illnesses
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Jake (rescue dog)