MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — As Suicide Awareness Month continues, one Manatee County resident swims to raise money for Bay area organizations that help people who are struggling.

What You Need To Know

  • Manatee County resident and Top Tier K9 Bradenton owner Julie Madison said she struggled with her own mental health before meeting her dog, Layla

  • Now she swims to raise money for organizations like Canines for Heroes, a nonprofit that partners service dogs with veterans and first responders with PTSD

  •  According to the CDC more than 49,000 people died by suicide in 2022 and shows a similar number for 2023

  • In honor of Suicide Prevention Month, Canines for Heroes and Top Tier K9 are partnering to provide seven service dogs for veterans in the Tampa Bay area

With each stroke moving her forward, Julie Madison said that's what swimming has done for her life.

"It makes me feel strong. It makes me feel like where I'm supposed to be," she said.

She swims at the Manatee Public Beach about once a week.

"Sometimes when I'm on land, I feel claustrophobic, and once I get into the water, I just feel this huge sense of freedom and relief. Perfect," she said.

In 2005, Madison said she started to struggle mentally.

"I was so lost. I couldn't get up out of bed comfortably. It was really painful. I felt super lethargic. Making myself breakfast was like, 'I can't do that 'til noon,' because I just couldn't pull myself out of bed," she said.

After five years of feeling that way, Madison discovered swimming provided her peace.

"Swimming has really allowed me the opportunity to take situations that may not be the best-case scenario and transform them into something magical and inspirational," she said.

Now she swims to raise money for organizations like Canines for Heroes, a nonprofit that partners service dogs with veterans and first responders with PTSD. The organization hopes to raise $250,000 this year.

They receive donations from people like Madison, who once fundraised by swimming for 18 straight hours in the waters off Siesta Key.

"It's about making that impact continually, to allow people the opportunity to see there's more to life than what they might actually be seeing," she said. "And I just love opening that door for myself, but I love opening that door for other people too, and watching the transformations in people's lives."

Madison’s transformation started small.

It was inspired by her dog, Layla, who helped Madison overcome her mental struggles. She says Layla saved her life.

"I just looked at her and I was like, 'You deserve so much better than this.' I couldn't do it for myself, but I could do it for her. And so, I just started one day at a time, trying to do a little bit more with her, getting to walk to the mailbox," Madison said.

When Layla passed away in 2019, Madison had the idea of helping others.

A year-and-a-half ago, she opened her own business: a franchise for Top Tier K9 in Bradenton. There, she provides basic training to dogs and can also prepare them to be service or emotional support animals. So far, Julie has helped place dogs with 10 people.

"I love what I do, because it really does save lives," she said. "I personally know how much a dog can drive someone to be better and want to participate in life."

Madison has made strides in her life, and now she's helping others find their way too.

In honor of Suicide Prevention Month, Canines for Heroes and Top Tier K9 are partnering to provide seven service dogs for veterans in the Tampa Bay area.

If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. It's free, confidential and available 24/7 in multiple languages.