What started as one guy trying to get more friends for his dog has turned into one of Lakewood Ranch's most active communities. It’s free and fun for both humans and their canine companions.
Eugene Khutoryanskiy was born in Belarus and grew up in Staten Island, New York, before landing in Lakewood Ranch in 2023 with his fiancée, Yana, and their three-year-old Cavapoo, Mittens.
Mittens is friendly to a fault. He treats every stranger on the sidewalk like a long-lost friend, jumping up for kisses before anyone's said hello.
He's also vocal about what he wants, whether that's a walk, a snack, or playtime, and he usually gets his way. "He will literally come up to anyone on the street and jump on them to show his love and give them kisses," Eugene says.
Eugene and Yana knew they wanted more friends of their own in a new city, and Mittens clearly needed more playdates. So on April 7, 2026, they started a Facebook group.
A few posts, a few shares, and some early meetups later, the Lakewood Ranch Dog Social Club has grown to nearly 1,500 members.
On Instagram, Eugene and Yana post a new breed every Monday, name a Dog of the Week each Sunday, and run "Local Love" spotlights on small businesses and nonprofits in the area. A WhatsApp chat lets members trade last-minute plans and questions in real time.
It’s a fun and active online group, but most of what makes the club special happens off-screen.
Meetups for the Dogs. Socials for the Humans.
The group holds dog meetups at spots like Creekwood Park, Dog Bar Sarasota, and Nathan Benderson Park. And if your dog isn’t the life of the party, it’s totally fine.
Not every dog walks into a crowd of strangers the way Mittens does, and Eugene doesn't expect them to. Members can ask him directly for a smaller meetup, a one-on-one introduction, or a group of similar breeds instead of the full crowd.
"Give us a chance," Eugene says. "Sometimes it only takes one human or dog friend to change your life forever."
New dogs are typically introduced on-leash until everyone is comfortable. And Eugene also asks that human members keep the group a kind place, both in-person and online.
The club also hosts meetups without dogs, called “Human Social Nights,” so owners can connect with each other and actually finish a conversation. They recently met at Big Top Brewery and may plan future events like bowling or indoor golfing.
A Community That Comes Together
The Lakewood Ranch Dog Social Club isn’t always just all fun and games. It’s also a community that shows up for each other and for their furry friends.
Earlier this year, members helped rehome a Shetland sheepdog whose owner had passed away. The post pulled in more than 10,000 views, almost 300 likes, and over 100 comments from people trying to help.
The group has also helped track down a lost dog in Bradenton, with members sharing the post until he made it home.
"We were grateful to be the resource and conversation center for it all," says Eugene. "If someone in our community is ever in need, I want them to know they have a place to turn."
How to Join the Pack
If you’re a local dog owner or dog lover, the first step is to join the Lakewood Ranch Dog Social Club on Facebook and follow them on Instagram. That’s where you’ll find info about upcoming events, including meetups that are planned for every other week, starting on October 3rd.
If you have questions or want to learn more, reach out to Eugene at (917) 831-0129 or by email at LWRDogSocial@gmail.com.
