Eight years ago, Lakewood Ranch's McKenzie Hanlon suffered two strokes that caused a massive aneurysm, and as a result, she lost her vision.Â
When Hanlon received a dog, C.J., from Southeastern Guide Dogs, she said it was life changing. She gained independence that allowed her to go out without her mother, Misti Garrison. She's able to go to work, the grocery store and college.Â
Garrison said C.J. and Southeastern Guide Dogs has meant everything to her and her daughter, so they wanted to support the nonprofit during its annual Suncoast Walkathon March 2 at Nathan Benderson Park.Â
More than 100 people and their dogs gathered for the 3K walk, including Country Club's Marty and Mollie Saia.Â
The Saias are first-time puppy raisers, preparing Allie for training at Southeastern Guide Dogs.Â
Mollie Saia said her husband wanted a dog, but she didn't, so volunteering as puppy raisers for the nonprofit was a good compromise. It also gave them an opportunity to help people.Â
Marty Saia said it'll be sad to say goodbye to Allie after raising her for more than 15 months, but knowing Allie is going to help someone will make the goodbye a little easier.Â
Bella, a 14-week-old puppy, seems excited about making new friends at the Suncoast Walkathon. "She's having a great time," says her owner, Palmetto's Robert Wildt."
Photo by Liz Ramos
Parrish's Laurel McDevitt, a puppy raiser, is raising her eighth dog, Eddie, for Southeastern Guide Dogs.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Palmetto's Monique Marlow and Scout, the mascot for Southeastern Guide Dogs, are ready to walk around Nathan Benderson Park for the nonprofit's annual walk-a-thon. "It's so nice to see all these dogs," Marlow says. "Southeastern Guide Dogs has fabulous programs that do so much."
Photo by Liz Ramos
Lakewood Ranch's Nichole and Kara Danzig-Work participate in the Southeastern Guide Dogs Suncoast Walkathon for the first time. "It's for a good cause, and we wanted to socialize with the community and other dogs," Nichole Danzig-Work says.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Lakewood Ranch's McKenzie Hanlon says receiving her dog, CJ, from Southeastern Guide Dogs was life changing after she suffered from two strokes eight years ago that caused a an aneurysm that took her vision.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Country Club's Mollie and Marty Saia are first-time puppy raisers preparing Allie to start her training with Southeastern Guide Dogs.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Braden River VFW Post 12055 members Chuck Slenker, Ken Green, Graham Ellis and Dave Daily present the colors during the National Anthem.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Palmetto's Kirsi Hiebert, Sara McKinney, Deb Frost and Rej Wilson join 12 others in their neighborhood to support Southeastern Guide Dogs.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Sun City's Jamie Fuller says Carter was with Southeastern Guide Dogs before she underwent a career change. Now 5-year-old Carter visits a hospital once per week to meet with patients and staff.
Photo by Liz Ramos
St. Petersburg's Milagros Raheb and her dog, Zamboni, are ready for a good time at the Southeastern Guide Dogs' Suncoast Walkathon.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Baxter is excited to be at the Southeastern Guide Dog Suncoast Walkathon with his owner, Palmetto's Amy Elsbury. Elsbury hopes to volunteer for the nonprofit.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Parrish's Vicky Cox, Joe Cox and Betsy Walters and their dogs, Bubba, Sierra and Keni represent the different life stages of Southeastern Guide Dogs. Vicky Cox is with Bubba, who changed careers after serving with the nonprofit. Joe Cox is with Sierra, who is in training, and Walters is with Keni, an ambassador for the nonprofit.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Puppy raisers Maria Abelleira and Colleen Flaherty, of Parrish, love taking care of Blue, a 4-month-old dog, and Dispatch, a 15-month-old dog, before they go for training at Southeastern Guide Dogs.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Dispatch, a 15-month-old dog, is getting ready to go off for training at Southeastern Guide Dogs. His puppy raiser, Parrish's Colleen Flaherty, says it'll be a tear jerker to say goodbye, but "he is destined to do something great."
Photo by Liz Ramos
Alice chases after a remote controlled toy.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Dozens and their four-legged friends are at Nathan Benderson Park bright and early to support Southeastern Guide Dogs during the nonprofit's annual Suncoast Walkathon.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Palmetto neighbors come together to support Southeastern Guide Dogs. The nonprofit has its main campus in Palmetto.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Dozens of people and their four-legged friends begin the 3K walk.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Sarasota 5-year-old Mia Slates has fun with Scout, the Southeastern Guide Dogs' mascot, Sarasota 8-year-old Harper Krull and Sarasota 9-year-old Cali Slates before the Suncoast Walkathon begins.
Managing Editor Liz Ramos previously covered education and community for the East County Observer. Before moving to Florida, Liz was an education reporter for the Lynchburg News & Advance in Virginia for two years after graduating from the Missouri School of Journalism.
