Tuesday, the Ronald McDonald House of Charities of the Southwest celebrated ‘Gotcha Day’ to honor their newest member of the team, Jax, a 2-year-old yellow Labrador retriever.
Dina Jeffires, President and CEO of RMHCSouthwest, said Jax has been training since birth to with Guide Dog for the Blind. Recently he had a career change and that brought him to Lubbock.
“His job is really just to spread love and joy to a sick child’s day and even the family members that are staying here at the house,” Jeffries said. “What our families go through, they really start missing their four legged family members at home when they are here for extended times. So Jax brings a little bit of normalcy back into their lives and you just can’t help but be joyful whenever you are around him.”
Sandi Alsworth is a Community Representative for Guide Dogs for the Blind. She said she was the one who came to Lubbock and evaluated the needs of RMHCSouthwest. She then determined what kind of dog was needed and said Jax was a perfect fit.
“He is that calm, bomb-proof,” Alsworth said, “loves children, can work in a variety of environments and just be a great ambassador for this program.”
