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Lone Star’s Gus – certified crisis response dog

Posted by Lanie in Lone Star's Stars of Service

After the tragic school shooting in Santa Fe, the community rallied to support the friends and families of those lost and injured that fateful day.  At times like these, for some, dogs offer great comfort.  After joining other therapy dogs there, Christi, whose Lone Star Labradoodle named Gus had provided love and companionship to those affected, wrote me this kind note.

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Lanie –

I wanted to update you on Gus and let you know that he is bringing such comfort in times of grief/stress.

Gus (from Godiva/Gibson) is a certified crisis response dog (and a registered therapy dog). He recently has spent several days with the families/faculty/students of those involved in the tragic events in Santa Fe. He comforted the families that lost loved ones. He was there when the faculty went back to the school for the first time since the incident and walked the halls with them to give them a sense of security. He spent several days in the junior high/elementary comforting students that were stressed and needed to visit with counselors or just wanted a friendly face.

He is doing amazing work. Thank you for breeding such an amazing dog! He truly is a gift and brings joy to so many every day.

Blessings,
Ms. C. K.
Gus’s mom

Gus is the black dog in the middle of the photo 🙂

McLovin’s 4th Birthday!

Posted by Lanie in Lone Star's Stars of Service, Videos

Lone Star’s McLovin’ (or “Mac”) is the Director of Love & Comfort at the Fort Worth Ronald McDonald House. For his 4th birthday they put together this super-cute video.  Happy Birthday, Mac!

Click the pic to see the Birthday Boy!

Lone Star’s McLovin’ Appears in 360 West Magazine

Posted by Lanie in Lone Star News, Lone Star's Stars of Service

PAWS AND EFFECT

By Rachel S. Peters Photos by Ralph Lauer

Maybe there is something to the healing power of a good dog:  Just ask his young fans at Ronald McDonald House.  

When he walks in the door, his hypoallergenic coat is perfectly coiffed and spritzed, and the faint scent of Bleu de Chanel wafts through the air. The ladies love him, but he commands attention from everyone wherever he goes. For Mac, the resident dog at Ronald McDonald House, it’s all in a day’s work.

Officially titled “Director of Love and Comfort,” the 4-year-old Australian Labradoodle (his full name is McLovin’) came to the Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth in 2010. He offers a comforting paw to families and children dealing with the stress and complications of life-threatening illnesses.

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.

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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.

Mac also searches out hugs and table scraps while he patrols the 58-room addition to the RMHFW. The much- needed wing officially opened in August of last year and, because of the extra space, the RMHFW can provide accommodations to any family regardless of where they live (previous Screen Shot 2014-01-25 at 12.57.34 PMrequirements dictated that families be outside a 40-mile radius) for as long as 90 days per visit. On any given day, the house is usually 85 to 90 percent full.

Alicia says the Ronald McDonald House will continue to expand and plans to add a new kitchen and dining room later in 2014. Mac will be there, ready for an impromptu tour or playdate. “When we go home, Mac acts like a typical dog and cuts loose,” says Alicia. “But, at the Ronald McDonald House, he’s focused and ready for action. He really is one of our hardest-working employees.”

SUPPORT RMH – FT. WORTH360 West Magazine

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Lone Star’s McLovin & Kodi at Ronald McDonald House Ft. Worth

Posted by Lanie in Lone Star's Stars of Service, Testimonials

We love receiving and sharing great stories and news about the lives led by Lone Star’s Labradoodles.  In 2010 Lone Star Labradoodles donated McLovin’ to Ronald McDonald House in Ft. Worth, Texas.  Two other of our Labradoodles live in RMH’s in Houston and Charleston, South Carolina; and a fourth will be dontated to the Ronald McDonald House in Washington, D.C., in 2014.  These pups live in the facilities as “house pets” providing love and therapy to families and the precious children who are fighting lift-threatening illnesses.  The picture above and the note that follows were sent to me by Jennifer Johns at RMH in Ft. Worth.

Lanie –

I’ve been meaning to write to you FOREVER to tell you what a blessing Mac (McLovin’) has been to our House.  He is absolutely perfect for us – you and your sister did an excellent job in assessing his personality.  He continues to provide joy and laughter to all of the kids here, as well as adults, too!  This picture is priceless.  Kodi LOVES him, and he loves to play with her.

He has only had one training session (has another next week), but it’s if he knows what he’s supposed to do anyway.  Yesterday, there was a young man (17) in a wheelchair who was getting ready to leave.  Mac went out in the foyer, walked behind his wheelchair and jumped up on the bench we have in the hallway. He stood up so that the boy, Tim, could touch him.  Too, too cute. Every time he brings a smile or laughter to a child, it makes me think of you and your family.  I’ll forward pictures from time to time.  He’s SO great and we love, love, love him!

Warm regards,

Jennifer Johns
Executive Director
Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth
http://www.ftworthrmh.org/

SUPPORT RMH – FT. WORTH

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Lone Star’s Cooper at Ronald McDonald House Charleston, S.C.

Posted by Lanie in Lone Star's Stars of Service

In the spring of 2011, Lone Star Labradoodles continued its tradition of donating dogs to Ronald McDonald Houses, where they live and serve as companions and loving therapy pets to families and children suffering from life-threatening disorders.  In addition to Mogie in Houston and McLovin (“Mac”) in Ft. Worth, Lone Star’s Cooper now calls the Charleston, South Carolina, Ronald McDonald House his home.  The article below recently appeared in Lowcountry Dog Magazine and was submitted by Barbara A. Bond, Executive Director Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston, South Carolina.

Meet a Lowcountry Dog:  Cooper Jamie McDonald

Cooper got his first name from a naming contest in the local schools, Cooper was voted as the number one favorite name. Jamie is Cooper’s middle name. Jamie is a boy whose family stayed at the Ronald McDonald House. And, of course, Cooper’s last name is shared with our favorite clown, Ronald McDonald.  Cooper is a male Labradoodle, thirteen months old. He has been at the Ronald McDonald House just under one year.

He loves people and loves to be petted and played with. Cooper also loves other dogs, especially other doodles.

The children at the Ronald McDonald House love to pet and play with Cooper. But one of the most memorable moments with Cooper was with one of our dads. Cooper was in my office, and the dad tapped on the door and asked if he could come in and pet Cooper. This young dad sat on the floor and buried his face in Cooper’s fur. As he petted Cooper, he told me about his son who was undergoing open heart surgery. He talked about his dog back home and how his son loved that dog. He talked about the dog he had as a boy and what a good friend that dog was to him. Cooper, who is usually playful and full of energy, seemed to know that his job was to quietly listen. Cooper quietly looked up at this young man who needed comforting, and occasionally nudged him with his nose as if to say, “I’m listening” and “I understand.”

Lanie and Cooper

Cooper is one of the happiest dogs I have ever seen. In fact, we have given him the title Director of Smiles because he makes everyone smile. He loves people and loves to be petted and played with. Cooper also loves other dogs, especially other doodles. He enjoys running and chasing other dogs at Sky Dogs Park. He also loves the beach and swimming in the ocean on his days off.

Cooper has introduced me to the family of dog lovers in Charleston and the many good people like All Creatures Vet, VIP Grooming and BarkBusters, whose donation has made it possible for us to have Cooper at the Ronald McDonald House of Charleston. I have become an avid follower of Lowcountry Dog Magazine on Facebook, and enjoy reading articles on dog behavior, nutrition and the many tips and words of advice from the articles.

Submitted by Barbara A. Bond, Executive Director Ronald McDonald House Charities

Follow Cooper on Facebook and enjoy his adventures and labors of love at RMH Charleston.  Check Cooper out in this cute video posted on YouTube by his family there.

SUPPORT RMH – CHARLESTON, SC

Posted by ron in Lone Star News, Lone Star's Stars of Service

When Kristian White opens her peepers this Christmas morning, she’s going to check on her presents and her family and Mogie, in no particular order. Same with Jack Sanchez. What will be important to him are presents, his big brother and Mogie.

At the Ronald McDonald House, a home away from home for seriously ill children, the tan pooch with the black button eyes and red velvet tongue will be on patrol, lending not just dabs of goofiness and sweetness to the holiday but normalcy, too.

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Lone Star’s Mogie Inspires Local Chef

Posted by ron in Lone Star News, Lone Star's Stars of Service

How Having Lunch Can Help A Child At Houston’s Ronald McDonald House

Meet Mogie, a floppy-eared Australian Labradoodle and the newest member of the Ronald McDonald House of Houston.

The Ronald McDonald House of Houston offers a home away from home for families with children being treated at Texas Medical Center member institutions for cancer and other serious illnesses.

That’s Mogie in the picture, hard at work collecting pats on the head from House resident Arianna, of Trinidad, and Houston chef Greg Gordon of La Vista restaurants.

In 2009,Gordon was so inspired by the bond between Mogie and residents of the Ronald McDonald House he created two dishes named for the beloved House dog. Beginning September 1, you  can order Mogie’s Beef Short Ribs and Mogie’s Bird Dog Quail at La Vista locations on 1936 Fountain View and 12665 Memorial Dr.  “I thought it would be fun to support Mogie and all of the  House’s children by naming two of my favorite dishes after the resident house dog,” Gordon said.

Patrons who order one of the Mogie-inspired dishes will receive a Mogie doggie bag which includes dog biscuits for your house dog and a hand-written thank you from a Ronald McDonald House child.  And a portion of proceeds from the two dishes will benefit Houston’s Ronald McDonald House.

“Mogie has become a vital member of our House family,” said Mikki Donnelly, Ronald McDonald House Development Director.  “We were so thrilled when Greg Gordon approached us about naming a signature dish after Mogie.  The kids have had so much fun stuffing doggie bags in honor of their new best friend.”

Both locations are open for dinner at 5:30 and La Vista Fountain View is open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. And hey, you can even bring your own bottle of wine to toast to Mogie!