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Southeastern Guide Dogs As an Air Force K-9 handler and security police first responder, Morgan Watt dealt with high-stress situations like detecting explosives and working on presidential detail with the Secret Service as a matter of course. Later as a civilian pilot, Morgan's hyper-awareness served him well. But when debilitating migraines and balance issues ended his career, anxiety and depression set in and triggered Morgan's underlying PTSD. Today, about a year after partnering with Foley, his service dog from Southeastern Guide Dogs, Morgan feels a new sense of hope. SEGD encourages visits to its campus to interact with the dogs and find out firsthand what the nonprofit is all about. Despite the fact that SEGD receives no federal, state or local funding, all of its support and services are provided free of charge to individuals in need. The organization relies solely on the generosity of its donors. Y COMMUNITY says this latest campaign promotes the dogs "as true superheroes, and so much more. They have powers that a pet doesn't have, and that a cane doesn't have. They also give us a chance to show the community that you don't need to be frightful of visually impaired people and their dogs. There's a fun side to it." Training on campus begins immediately in order to socialize the pups and make them comfortable with humans. After about two months, this interaction is continued in volunteer puppy raiser homes for the next year and a half. Over 700 core volunteers comprise the structure that allows SEGD to advance its incredible work. After that initial period in a home when the dog may have played with children, headed to the office, ridden public transportation, and navigated neighborhoods and city streets, the future hero is ready to return to campus for a more formal education that will determine the dog's eventual path. Factors like personality, temperament and trainability are assessed to find the right career for each SEGD student. Though the organization facilitates more than 100 partnerships each year, some animals are deemed more suitable for jobs other than guide dog or service dog. These talented individuals may work in law enforcement, in military medical facilities or in the outreach field to educate others about the SEGD mission. Y ou may have noticed the colorfully painted dogs that started appearing around Sarasota this past summer. These decked out canines were part of the Superheroes on Parade campaign and served as ambassadors for one of the most well- respected non-profit organizations in the country. Founded in 1982, Southeastern Guide Dogs is a unique school that makes a mission of transforming the lives of extraordinary people—those who are visually impaired or suffer from post- traumatic stress disorders. From puppyhood to working dog, SEGD has developed a program that guides its miracle animals every step of the way. All the Labrador, golden retriever and "goldador" puppies are bred and born right on the SEGD main campus in Palmetto—a sprawling 33 acres devoted to the cause. Director of Graduate Services, Suzy Wilburn, whose guide dog Carson was a model for the sculpture's design, VETERAN MORGAN WATT By Vanessa Houston 30 | GRAVITAS MAGAZINE GravitasMag.com

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