Mac is not the first four-legged RMH staffer. Lone Star Labradoodles, based in The Woodlands, Texas, had provided  the Ronald McDonald Houses of Houston and Charleston, South Carolina, with a canine companion, and executives at the Fort Worth operation caught wind of the successful placement. Calls were placed and plans were made for RMHFW to adopt its own furry friend, but then tragedy struck the Lone Star Labradoodles group as the owner’s 19-year-old son passed away from cancer. In a touching gesture, they gave Mac to the Fort Worth house in his memory.

Mac has made Lone Star Labradoodles proud. Although not a registered therapy dog, he stays at the house five days a week during business hours and is often the first face new guests see when checking in. At night and on weekends, he lives with Alicia Jenkins, director of development for RMHFW but, during the workweek, he is ever the obedient servant to all house needs. Mac has no formal training. “It’s all to do with his disposition,” notes Alicia. “He knows his mission.”

One mission in particular has been to comfort 15-year-old Desiree Smith during her cancer treatment and remission. Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age 13, the Abilene native has been a guest at the RMHFW since her first bone-marrow transplant two years ago. She loves Mac, and the feeling is mutual. Desiree’s mother, Rebecca Martinez, can see the difference Mac makes in her daughter. “He’s Desiree’s favorite thing about staying here,” she says, adding that it’s not uncommon to find the two snuggled up together in bed, with Mac placing a loving paw around Desiree.