Our Dog, Anita
One member of the staff at the Jacksonville Ronald McDonald House works harder than anyone else to make families feel just like they're at home. Our furry friend, Anita, works Monday through Friday as a pet therapy dog. She generously doles out kisses, happily sits underfoot whenever she finds a child in the dining room and even takes our volunteers for walks several times a day. Being around therapy dogs has shown to reduce blood pressure and stress of the people in their lives.
Anita has worked at the Ronald McDonald House since 2003. She is a yellow Labrador Retriever. In addition to being a certified assistance animal, she is certified by NEADS as a pet therapy provider. She wears her red vest whenever she is working, and takes it off at the end of the day to go home and be a "regular" dog. Anita provides cheer to the families staying at the House as well as comfort when they just need to snuggle up with her warm, cuddly body for some love.
Anita has no idea how much she heals everyone that comes to the House. She gives families the one thing they don't get at the hospital - A good, old-fashioned lick that reminds them that they're home as soon as they walk through our door.
