b"realitysoundbites.Swimming to Help More Veterans Connect With Service DogsJulie Madison, a renowned swimmer and trainer with Top community to support its veterans. The funds raised throughTierK9-Bradenton, setarecordforthedistancearound hereffortwillprovideessentialservicedogsforveteransSiesta Key with a historic marathon swim on June 4, 2024. It attending SOF Missions Be Resilient Clinics. Uwas all part of an inspiring campaign by SOF Missions, inpartnership with Top Tier K9-Bradenton, to raise $250,000 tosupport veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD) by providing them with specially trained service dogs.Top Tier K9-Bradenton, owned by Madison, is known foritsexpertiseintrainingfoundationandservicedogs.SOFMissions is a nonprofit based in Tampa dedicated to combat-ing the veteran suicide crisis by supporting veterans and theirfamilies.AccordingtotheNationalLibraryofMedicine,servicedogscanreducePTSDsymptomsbyupto82%,improve overall mental health, and enhance social interactionsfor veterans.Madisonsmarathonswimcoveredapproximately36miles in 18 hours, 12 minutes, and 53 seconds. She began herjourney at 4:20 a.m and ended at about 11 pm, navigating thewatersofFloridawithdetermination.Supportedbyeightkayak teams, Madison overcame numerous challenges, includ-ing a flipped kayak, lost electronics, and rough waters, to com- Swimmer and dog trainer Julie Madison was in the Gulf watersplete her swim. Our mission was to stay the course, no mat- for more than 18 hours.ter the challenges, she said. We faced a five-mile detour due For more information on SOF Missions, visit www.SOFMissions.org to shallow waters and rough seas, but I was determined to For more information on Top Tier K9/Bradenton, visitcomplete what I started. www.toptierk9.com/bradenton-florida or call Julie Madison directWhilehighlightingherenduranceandcommitment, at 203.733.7183 to discuss your dog training needs.Madisons swim primarily served as a call to action for theAnimal Welfare Grant Awarded to Satchels Last ResortSatchel's Last Resort is a true no-kill rescue based in Sarasota, rehab animals from Sarasota County. Florida. Many animals taken in are days, or sometimes hours, Ourgreatestneedisformedicalcare,whichexceedsawayfrombeingeuthanized. $100,000annually.WerethankfulSatchels is committed to providing thatthisgrantwillprovidequalityqualitymedicalcare,behavioral care focused on health and comfort.training, and a safe place for these Everypriorityistofindaanimals to heal as they wait for their foreverhome,saysMichalAnneforever home. The shelters mission Vanderwoude, Executive Director. is to rescue, rehab, and rehome dogs 90%ofallemergencyveterinaryandcatswithnowhereelsetogo casesfindsuccessfuladopters.Thebecause of age, breed, behavior, or teamatSatchelsisuniqueinthatmedical issues. Housing more than they are committed to giving animals100 animals at any given time at the the invaluable gift of time, allowing12-acreshelter,mostcomefrom themtostayattheshelterandother shelters that could not commit Kelly, a Satchels Last Resort adoptable. sanctuaryforaslongasneededtoto their long-term care or owners who had no other alterna- receive the proper care that brings out their best selves for theirtive.new families.UIn March 2024, the shelter was the recipient of a $12,500 Satchels Last Resort Animal Shelter/Sanctuarygrant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County 8101 Coash Road, Sarasotathrough its annual Animal Welfare grant cycle. The grant will 941.924.5070MichalAnne@SatchelsLastResort.orghelp Satchels continue providing emergency veterinary care to16THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com"