On December 10 at 2.00pm, Collected Works proudly hosts a Benefit for Assistance Dogs of the West.  Since 1995, Assistance Dogs of the West has taught elementary, middle and high school students, juvenile detention center students and developmentally and physically disabled students to train assistance dogs. All student trainers learn from professional Assistance Dogs of the West instructor/trainers through structured classes, using a continually improving curriculum, and emerge from the program with increased leadership skills, compassion and self-esteem.

Assistance Dogs of the West service dogs learn a minimum of 90 commands and successful graduates are placed with clients to help overcome physical mobility, emotional and psychiatric challenges caused by disease, trauma or environment. Seizure dogs alert and respond to the needs of clients with seizure disorders, and psychiatric support and social therapy dogs work with individuals or groups, offering avenues for increased socialization to lives with challenges. Assistance Dogs of the West client/recipients have diverse ethnic backgrounds, financial means and ages, from 5 to 95.

The event will feature actress Ali MacGraw reading Nito and Chloe Love Carrots: A Continuing Tale of an Assistance Dog of the West, a book by Assistance Dogs of the West Advisory Council member Judith Newton.  A veteran film actress and dedicated animal rights activist, Ali MacGraw is best known for her role in the 1970 film Love Story.  A long-time owner of Scottish Terriers, she was honored with the Humane Education Award by Animal Protection of New Mexico for her role as an animal rights spokesperson.  

Judith Newton is the author of four children's books about assistance dogs: Nito's Tale, Nito Meets Chloe, Nito and Chloe Get an Invitation, and Nito and Chloe Love Carrots.