Photos by Barbie Heit. and Wes Roberts.

With a snip of the giant scissors, the ribbon was officially cut last Thursday at The Stephen & Lisa Hyde Visitor Center in Lakewood Ranch, a new facility for Dogs Inc. The Center will help Dogs Inc recruit new volunteers, connect with potential donors and engage with applicants in need of services—all essential to expanding the organization’s mission: to transform lives through extraordinary dogs. The purpose-built facility is dedicated to raising awareness and serving more people with vision loss and veterans through its guide and service dog programs.

Longtime Lakewood Ranch residents and dedicated Dogs Inc supporters Stephen and Lisa Hyde served as lead donors, providing vital support to make the project a reality. Through a generous matching campaign, the couple helped fund the building and inspired fellow supporters to join them in bringing the Visitor Center to life.

The ribbon-cutting took place on day six for Dogs Inc's new CEO, Veronica Thames.

“This visitor center is here because we want to reach out and expand our mission across our community. Lakewood Ranch is one of the fastest-growing areas in the country, and we rely very heavily on puppy raisers and philanthropists. We also want to be closer to those who need our amazing dogs. To transform those lives, we need to be available and accessible, and this center allows just that,” Thames explained. “No appointment is needed and if you visit, you will see a lot of activity–kids in the discovery zone learning about our process and our dogs, trainers who are training on site and around the town and dogs resting in our comfortable kennels in the back when they need a break. You will see us recruiting new volunteers, which we are so grateful for, as well.”

The dogs of Dogs Inc transform lives across the United States—at no cost to the recipients—thanks to the generosity of our supporters.

Visitors to the Lakewood Ranch Center, located at 5815 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., will often be greeted by Dogs Inc. Ambassador Dogs, who are frequently on-site to welcome guests.

Photos by Barbie Heit. and Wes Roberts.

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