Dogs Inc Opens New Visitor Center in Lakewood Ranch

Dogs Inc welcomed guests for the first time to its new Visitor Center in Lakewood Ranch, a 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 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.”