Search and rescue dogs attract a crowd at free Lakewood Ranch presentation

By Madison Bierl
| 3:15 p.m. January 25, 2026

Bella Grace, a 3-year-old Weimaraner, is a German hunting dog who works for Manatee County Search & Rescue. Kevin Vreeland, her owner and K-9 handler, described her as a "scent monster."

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When minutes matter, Manatee Search and Rescue members are ready to answer the call, and often, that response includes four paws and a nose leading the way.

Founded in 1999, the all-volunteer group works to find missing people and assist after floods and hurricanes.

The dogs are trained to sniff belongings of a missing person, such as a pillowcase or clothing, and then track them down.

The Manatee Search and Rescue canines were on display Jan. 24 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall in an event that was sponsored by the Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team.

Jim Curran is the director of community outreach for Lakewood Ranch CERT.

"I don't think they get the exposure," Curran said of Manatee Search and Rescue members. "Everybody knows fire, everybody knows police. It's important to get exposure for these guys."

Jared Leggett, the chief of Manatee County Search and Rescue, led the presentation. He works and lives with Kaido, an 8-year-old German shepherd.

Leggett said it is important for the public to understand how searches work to prevent an unfortunate situation from occurring. He said the community often plays a role in the outcome through early reporting.

"My favorite part of working with the K-9s and the public is the interaction," Leggett said. "The dogs naturally grab people’s attention and are great ambassadors for our team. It makes it easier to educate, build trust and connect with the community."

Lakewood National's Kathy Budrawich became a member of CERT in August so she was eager to attend the event. She said she had no idea Search and Rescue was made up of volunteers and is grateful for them.

"Being able to pet the dogs was pretty special," Budrawich said. "They are incredible animals with so much love. You feel it when your near them."

Lakewood Ranch's Marian and Randy Rippy are self-described dog people. Randy Rippy said he appreciated "seeing the genuine bond between the handlers and their dogs."

"This was wonderful," Marian Rippy said. "I absolutely loved it. I'm a veterinarian and I really support this kind of work. I'm going to look for ways that we can give and volunteer to help. They do good work and are excellent, dedicated people."

Jared Leggett, chief of Manatee County Search & Rescue, has lived and worked with Kaido, an 8-year-old German shepherd, for the last seven years.

Lakewood Ranch's Marian and Randy Rippy, self described dog lovers, said they appreciate the hard work that the volunteers of Manatee Search & Rescue put into helping the community.

Lakewood Ranch's Johanne Gordon said she was touched by how the two dogs, Kaido and Bella Grace, were rescued and became service dogs.

Jared Leggett, chief of Manatee County Search & Rescue, gave the presentation about the team that assists in locating missing people. Leggett said the group is made up of volunteers who come from law enforcement, fire, medical or military backgrounds.

Kaido, an 8-year-old German shepherd and rescue dog with Manatee Search & Rescue, gets pet by Lakewood Ranch's Wanda Schmidt while making his way around the room during the presentation.

Bella Grace, a 3-year-old Weimaraner, was taken in by Kevin Vreeland when she was abandoned at 7 months old. She is beginning to learn human remains detection.

Lakewood National's Kathy Budrawich became a member of the Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team in August. She loved hearing stories about how the dogs were rescued and the sort of impact they make.

Judy Miller listens to Jared Leggett, chief of Manatee County Search & Rescue, speak at the free community event sponsored by the Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team.

Kaido, an 8-year-old German shepherd and rescue dog, poses with Lakewood Ranch's Stephanie Saikaley. Saikaley was impressed by how docile and social both dogs were.

Bella Grace, a 3-year-old Weimaraner and rescue dog, poses with Lakewood Ranch's Daniel Saikaley. He was impressed how well trained the dogs were.

Lakewood Ranch's Patty Palmer and George Dolengowski visit with Kevin Vreeland, a K-9 handler with Manatee County Search & Rescue.

Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team members Phil Westerman, Gloria Schroek and Paulette Westerman were eager to host the search and rescue dogs for their event.

author

Madison Bierl

Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter for the East County Observer. She grew up in Iowa and studied at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University.