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Last night, Canine Companions held their fashion fundraiser Haute Dog at the Peninsula in Beverly Hills. The pooches came out in their best costumes, including sushi rolls, peacocks, lions and devils.
Canine Companions for Independence is a nonprofit that trains assistance dogs for those with special needs. At last night's event, guests heard the story of many whose lives were changed by being partnered with a dog. One such little boy named Ian had been severely injured in a car crash when he was only 5 years old. The crash killed both his parents, and he and his two young sisters were adopted by their aunt. Ian's companion dog, Nutella, was decked out like a peacock last night. His aunt said that oftentimes, Nutella can help him make new friends by taking the attention away from Ian's wheelchair or by offering emotional support when Ian explains what happened.
The dogs can also be trained to open the fridge and retrieve items and to help their owners with other tasks.