The Nest Hosts Benefit for Canine Assistants

The Nest is hosting A Time Fur Love this Saturday, March 31, to benefit service dogs for the disabled.

Guests can sip on wine and nibble on cheese while taking in pieces of doggy and pet art, created by local animal portrait artists in a number of different mediums.

"I love the idea of surrounding party goers with artwork that they somehow connect with," said Lori Sturgess, director of The Nest.

The proceeds from the event, including a percentage of custom work sold, will benefit Canine Assistants, a non-profit that assists in service dogs.

The Alpharetta organization helps train dogs for individuals with physical disabilities, seizure disorders and other special needs, according to a press release about the event.

Trainers teach the dogs how to assist children and adults with day-to-day activities, such as opening and closing doors and picking up dropped items.

Donations for A Time Fur Love will specifically go to support Perelli, a Canine Assistant puppy. He has a birth defect which required amptuation of his foot, and he needs a prosthetic foot when he reaches his first birthday.

Canine Assistants plans to bring Perelli to Scottish Rite and/or Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to comfort young patients who are dealing with surgery.

A $10 donation is requested for admission to A Time Fur Love, which will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 31. The Nest is located at 17 College Street in Historic Downtown Norcross.

For more information on Canine Assistants, visit its website at www.canineassistants.org.