Fashion luncheon supports Myakka City animal sanctuary

By Lesley Dwyer
| 2:45 p.m. October 11, 2025

A private dining room is transformed into a pop-up shop.

East County
Neighbors

When Retired Air Force Master Sgt. Lisa Christy was hospitalized because of kidney issues, one thing she didn’t have to worry about was the care for her two special needs dogs.

“Donte’s Den (Animal Sanctuary and Hospital) boarded them for two weeks, no questions asked,” Christy said. “I just gave them my dog food, and they just made sure my dogs were fine. They ran them every day and let them play in the pool. (The dogs) get personalized attention there.”

Christy shared her story at Pascone’s Ristorante off University Parkway on Oct. 7 during a luncheon to benefit Donte’s Den in Myakka City.

Scout & Molly’s Boutique set up a pop-up shop in the private dining room. During lunch, regular customers like Palmetto's Debbie Reynolds, modeled some of the clothes and accessories the shop offers.

Boutique owner Nikki Pelier-Simon said she met Donte’s founder Marsha Panuce when she started shopping at Scout & Molly’s, which coincidentally was named after two Labrador retrievers.

“We just hit it off,” Pelier-Simon said. “I love what (Panuce) does. I love that she takes care of the military and first responders and that she offers a safe haven.”

The Semper Paw Military Program offers discounted boarding for deployed military members and first responders.

While Donte’s Den places dogs up for adoption, it’s also a sanctuary for dogs that would otherwise be euthanized because of health and behavioral issues.

Visit DontesDen.org for more information.

Nikki Pelier-Simon is the owner of Scout & Molly's Boutique, and Marsha Panuce is the founder of Donte's Den.

Palmetto's Debbie Reynolds models some of the fashions from Scout & Molly's Boutique.

Lisa Christy tells her story of how Donte's Den took her animals in when she was hospitalized.

East County's Christine Levine and Kathy Link celebrate Levine's birthday.

Sarasota's Tammy McDermott and Alison Kanter support animals in any way they can. Both are members of the Diamond Collar Society, the fundraising arm of the Humane Society of Sarasota County.

Country Club East's Oksana Prochorenko and Pat Sarbadhikari attend the luncheon because they're dog lovers.

Country Club East's Carol McNeilage purchases a purse from Nikki Pelier-Simon, owner of Scout & Molly's Boutique.

Hans Wohlgefahrt, director of outreach and communications for Donte's Den, and shop owner Nikki Pelier-Simon celebrate a successful event.

Scout & Molly's Boutique is donating 15% of the luncheon's sales to Donte's Den.

Judith Stanley is the owner of Pascone's Ristorante, and William Sellner, Jr. is the chef.

East County's Helen MacDonald and Jean Elliott are regulars at Pascone's Ristorante.

author

Lesley Dwyer

Lesley Dwyer is a staff writer for East County and a graduate of the University of South Florida. After earning a bachelor’s degree in professional and technical writing, she freelanced for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Lesley has lived in the Sarasota area for over 25 years.