Thursday, October 22nd, Dogs Inc welcomed guests for the first time to The Stephen & Lisa Hyde Dogs Inc Visitor Center in Lakewood Ranch, a new facility designed to provide direct access to the nonprofit’s programs in one of the nation’s fastest-growing areas. 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.
Dogs Inc has long envisioned a purpose-built facility dedicated to raising awareness and serving more people with vision loss and veterans through its guide and service dog programs. That vision gained momentum in 2024, when longtime Lakewood Ranch residents and Dogs Inc supporters Stephen and Lisa Hyde stepped forward as lead donors, providing critical support to bring the project to life.
“Lisa and I have always been passionate about helping people reach their full potential,” said Stephen Hyde at today’s event. “Dogs Inc serves people with visual impairments and veterans—a mission that hits close to home. Lisa’s mom had macular degeneration[a progressive eye disease that results in vision loss], and both of our fathers were World War II veterans. So, the organization’s two core programs are near and dear to our hearts.”
Dogs Inc invites the community to the Visitor Center’s Grand Opening on Saturday, October 24. Locals can drop in anytime between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to see an interactive exhibit, watch guide and service dog demonstrations, and meet a few inspiring dogs—and the people whose lives they have changed. More information about the Grand Opening can be found at DogsInc.org/LakewoodRanch.
“For nearly 45 years, we’ve seen firsthand how the extraordinary bond between people and dogs can transform lives,” said Veronica Thames, Chief Executive Officer of Dogs Inc. “Now, with this new Visitor Center, we have an opportunity to share more of that magic with our community. As a Lakewood Ranch resident, I'm especially excited to welcome my neighbors to this Center and introduce them to our mission while helping even more people become part of what we do.”
Following the Grand Opening, the Visitor Center will be open Monday through Saturday, offering a rotating schedule of activities, including immersive experiences and one-on-one conversations with instructors, designed to give visitors a deeper understanding of Dogs Inc’s work and impact on the community. The Center will also serve as a regular meeting place for local Dogs Inc puppy raising clubs and provide instructors—as well as students—with a central hub when working with dogs in training throughout Lakewood Ranch.
DETAILS
The Stephen & Lisa Hyde Dogs Inc Visitor Center
5815 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Bradenton, FL, 34202
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Rotating Events:
Discovery Zone, Meet the Instructor, Service Dog, Guide Dog, and Scent Detection Demonstrations, Conversations with a Graduate, Puppy Raising Info Sessions, and Sit, Stay & Read!
For more information, visit DogsInc.org/LakewoodRanch.
ABOUT DOGS INC
Our dogs transform lives across the United States—at no cost to the recipients—thanks to the generosity of our supporters. EXTRAORDINARY DOGS | Top-tier pedigrees, decades of research, and thousands of hours of training, care, and love prepare our dogs for life-changing destinies. TRANSFORMING LIVES | Guide dogs light the way. Service dogs heal. Skilled companion dogs comfort. And facility therapy dogs uplift. AT NO COST TO RECIPIENTS | We provide our clients with their loyal companions, expert training, and alumni support, completely free of charge.
Sparky, Dogs Inc Ambassdor
Tim Griffy, Board Member
Stephen and Lisa Hyde
Dogs Inc CEO Veronica Thames
Zane and Surfer