Pooches & Smooches Show Love, Money For Cancer Charity

ASHBURN, VA — The Pooches & Smooches charity event on Saturday raised nearly $2,000 for the Canines-N-Kids Foundation, a South Riding-based nonprofit group working to put an end to cancer in kids and pet dogs. The Valentine's weekend charity event was sponsored by Ashburn-based pet services franchise Woofie's and Ellen Zangla Photography.

Pets were photographed by Ellen Zangla at the Woofie’s office in Ashburn on a Valentine’s Day-themed set. Attendees donated $25 or more for each professional photo taken of their pet.

The event included vendors such as Mikey J Caricatures, Woofbowl’s dog treat truck, a Valentine’s Day card-making station with Canines-N-Kids, Furr-bulous Dog Apparel and Accessories, and Pet Wants Chantilly. The Woofie's Mobile Pet Spa was also on site to give nail trims and brush outs for dogs waiting to get their pictures taken.

“Pooches & Smooches was about coming together as a community and the love shown for our mission was incredible," Ulrike Szalay, founder and executive director of Canines-N-Kids, said in a statement. "The funds raised will further our mission to advance research to solve cancers that both dogs and kids develop.”

Canines-N-Kids' work promotes the science of comparative oncology — studying and treating spontaneously developing cancer in canine patients when they get sick. The research can help doctors better understand and accelerate the development of better medicines and a cure for children with the same cancers.

Last November, Woofie's held its 6th Annual Paws & Claus event where pets had their pictures taken with Santa Claus. The event, also co-hosted by Ellen Zangla Photography, raised $4,000 for Loudoun County Animal Services and Loudoun County Cat Coalition.

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