By Mark Ambrogi
There was some unique art at Zionsville’s Avalon Jewelers/Gallery last month.
The paintings, hanging on the walls of the shop at 275 S. Main St., are created by Indiana Canine Assistant Network dogs, using their noses, paws, ears and tails to paint. All the money raised goes to ICAN, which are dogs trained by carefully screened incarcerated adults. Each painting is accompanied by a photo of the prison handler with the dog. The service dogs primarily help adults and children with disabilities.
Susan Schube, the store owner, got interested in service dogs when she saw the impact one had on a friend’s son, who has autism.
“The woman is a widow and they got a service dog for him,” Schube said. “Not only has it made a difference for the boy but made a difference for the mom too because it’s taken some of the weight off her shoulders. It’s been an amazing process.”
The ICAN has had the paintings hanging in the shop in the month of July.
“No one has offered them that (space), but a gallery is in business to make money,” Schube said. “Since for me, art on the wall is kind of a bonus. We had the month open and I saw a need.”
Schube said the opening with paintings was wall-to-wall customers on the First Friday event on July 3.
“We thought it was going to pour rain and at 4:55 (p.m.), we thought no one is coming,” Schube said. “But at 5:05, they came, they saw. They bought, they donated. They petted dogs. They got photos galore. It was magic. It’s been a terrific experience. These volunteers and trainers put their hearts into it.”
It cost $1,600 to sponsor and place a dog. Schube said they more than made that on the First Friday. The sale of paintings in the store has raised enough to sponsor three dogs plus purchase food and supplies.
The trainers have made return visits with the dogs on three Saturdays.
“We get a lot of (foot) traffic with our Farmers’ Market and it’s worked,” Schube said.
For more information, visit icandog.org.
