PALMETTO, Fla. — Marge Vita has a picture of the moment she knew she wanted to be a part of Southeastern Guide Dogs, now called Dogs Inc.
That was more than 25 years ago.
"I was director of volunteer services at Blake Hospital and Southeastern came in and did a demonstration with one of their dogs at our volunteer meeting," Vita said. "And I fell in love with them and just kind of followed them."
Marge is 92 years young and she spends two days a week at the Dogs Inc. campus, running the gift shop.
"I am so grateful that they have allowed me to continue this way. They have never told me how, when, what or why to do anything in here," Vita said. "They've just let me have at it so to speak. And I enjoy it. It's fun."
Her reward for more than 10,000 hours of work, getting to watch puppies grow into guide dogs.
"They never cease to amaze me. They are magnificent animals, they really are. What they anticipate and what they show that they can do is amazing," Vita said.
She's even helped raise several dogs. There's one named Smooch, that she now has to guide.
"Unfortunately, Smooch is blind herself, but she shows me how they can adapt and get along as well as a human can. You know, it's amazing," Vita said
Vita says she will keep volunteering as long as she's able: "It gives me a purpose. You go home lighthearted."