Re: Doggie Business in Delaware

[Guest guest]

I am interested in looking into starting this as a business. I live in the

northern suburbs and would enjoy talking with anyone who might be interested in

joining me in this adventure...

Kathy

Doggie Business in Delaware

Great story shared by a speech path friend -- not sure of the original source,

but there's a website at the bottom of the article for anyone who wants more

information about this. This one will make you smile. And Margie, if you're

out there reading this, this idea has your name written all over it....because

you love dogs and you also love to bake!!

Meaningful Employment Opportunities

Anyone who has ever searched for a job or who is currently looking for work

knows it can be a challenging process. But two moms from Delaware took on the

challenge of finding meaningful employment for their daughters. When

opportunities weren't readily available, they decided to create a business

themselves! The result has been a real treat -- benefiting both the workers and

the four-legged friends they serve.

" We love dogs and we just thought it was something our bakers would really like

making, " said Leigh.

Ann Nolan and Leigh Corrigan are in the dog-bone business. And, how they

got there is a real labor of love.

" Actually the idea started with a problem of unemployment among people with

intellectual disabilities, " said Ann Nolan, co-founder.

" We both have children with disabilities. And way back when, Ann said,

maybe someday when the girls are old enough we can start a business together, "

said Leigh Corrigan, co-founder.

The team chose dog-biscuits -- primarily, they say, because people with dogs

tend to be nice people. They named the company " Waggies by Maggie and Friends "

after Leigh's daughter.

" Waggie rhymes with Maggie, so that's how we came up with the name, " said Leigh.

Although Maggie is non-verbal, her excitement about working here and being the

namesake speaks volumes.

In addition to helping their own children, they also wanted to provide job

opportunities to other adults with intellectual disabilities.

" It's an untapped pool of talent. It truly is. And what we discovered is yes

there is a need, " said Ann.

Specially designed cutting boards and cooking utensils allow each baker to excel

and find his or her individual specialty.

" We kind of have experts in different fields. You'll see Matt coming in today

and he's our mixer, " said Ann.

" What I'm doing here is mixing the peanut butter, milk and flour to make our

dough, " said Matt, baker.

" My favorite part is cutting the dough, " said , baker.

" Becky who is coming in is our energizer bunny. She can just cut like nobody's

business. is very, very good at doing the bits, she just loves that, "

said Ann.

This non-profit employs 10 bakers who help to crank out about 2,000 dog treats a

day.

" I like working, it keeps me busy. I mean I like the paycheck too -- I need the

money, " said , baker.

" We're an actual business. And we reward with a paycheck, " said Ann.

While the bakers make a salary, the rest of the staff -- 40 strong -- are

volunteers.

From humble beginnings three years ago in the ladies' own kitchens, the business

now relies on the kindness of area churches who loan them their larger cooking

spaces.

" It is a real viable company. We're looking for contracts, we're looking for

customers and there are lots of dogs out there -- that are just dying to have a

Waggie, " said Ann.

And, so far, it is the local community who is stepping up to support their

sales.

" You're putting kids with special challenges to work and that's a great thing, "

said Coogan, veterinarian. " It's a great illustration of how we all need

to work and these kids love doing what they are doing. And they are proud of

their product and rightfully so. "

From the local vet to the neighbor grocer, people are fetching the doggie

treats.

There is a waiting list of young adults who would like to work for Waggies. But

to hire more bakers, they need to increase sales -- which is why they hope the

program will grow beyond Delaware's borders.

" We would like to see the business go to another area, maybe Philadelphia, maybe

Chicago, somewhere like that. Where someone is doing the same thing that

Ann, Leigh and I are doing, taking a group of special needs people and doing the

same thing that we are. Because we think it's something that should be passed

on, " said Rockwell, leadership team.

" We would like to see it grow nationally. Our program can be replicated

anywhere, " said Ann.

" I would love to see somebody else in another community copy us. Or work with us

to start another Waggies somewhere else, because it's working so well for us, "

said Leigh.

But more than anything it's about self-empowerment.

" One of the bakers walked past me on the table the other day and she goes, I

just love my life! And it was just so heart-warming to hear, that she actually

likes coming here, " said Chris.

" At the end of the day, when Becky comes over and gives you a little hug and

says, 'You're the best,' that certainly is rewarding, " said Ann. " When you

see the bakers take ownership I think that's the biggest thing -- that they are

very proud and they know Waggies. And they're very happy to share what they do

with others and that's exciting. "

All the dog treats are made from healthy ingredients so humans can eat them too.

If you want to find out more on the program or buy some treats for your pup,

check out their website waggies.org.

[Guest guest]

It certainly seems like there's a growing market for this doggie treat

thing...in the town I live in, more stores than not seem to offer them to dog

owners. Drive thru lines at the banks, too. Apparently even the recession

hasn't stopped people from wanting to treat their pets well. Good luck and

keep us posted.

L.

From: klipke@...

Sent: Sunday, February 20, 2011 4:36 PM

IPADDUnite

Subject: Re: Doggie Business in Delaware

I am interested in looking into starting this as a business. I live in the

northern suburbs and would enjoy talking with anyone who might be interested in

joining me in this adventure...

Kathy

Doggie Business in Delaware

Great story shared by a speech path friend -- not sure of the original source,

but there's a website at the bottom of the article for anyone who wants more

information about this. This one will make you smile. And Margie, if you're out

there reading this, this idea has your name written all over it....because you

love dogs and you also love to bake!!

Meaningful Employment Opportunities

Anyone who has ever searched for a job or who is currently looking for work

knows it can be a challenging process. But two moms from Delaware took on the

challenge of finding meaningful employment for their daughters. When

opportunities weren't readily available, they decided to create a business

themselves! The result has been a real treat -- benefiting both the workers and

the four-legged friends they serve.

" We love dogs and we just thought it was something our bakers would really like

making, " said Leigh.

Ann Nolan and Leigh Corrigan are in the dog-bone business. And, how they

got there is a real labor of love.

" Actually the idea started with a problem of unemployment among people with

intellectual disabilities, " said Ann Nolan, co-founder.

" We both have children with disabilities. And way back when, Ann said,

maybe someday when the girls are old enough we can start a business together, "

said Leigh Corrigan, co-founder.

The team chose dog-biscuits -- primarily, they say, because people with dogs

tend to be nice people. They named the company " Waggies by Maggie and Friends "

after Leigh's daughter.

" Waggie rhymes with Maggie, so that's how we came up with the name, " said Leigh.

Although Maggie is non-verbal, her excitement about working here and being the

namesake speaks volumes.

In addition to helping their own children, they also wanted to provide job

opportunities to other adults with intellectual disabilities.

" It's an untapped pool of talent. It truly is. And what we discovered is yes

there is a need, " said Ann.

Specially designed cutting boards and cooking utensils allow each baker to excel

and find his or her individual specialty.

" We kind of have experts in different fields. You'll see Matt coming in today

and he's our mixer, " said Ann.

" What I'm doing here is mixing the peanut butter, milk and flour to make our

dough, " said Matt, baker.

" My favorite part is cutting the dough, " said , baker.

" Becky who is coming in is our energizer bunny. She can just cut like nobody's

business. is very, very good at doing the bits, she just loves that, "

said Ann.

This non-profit employs 10 bakers who help to crank out about 2,000 dog treats a

day.

" I like working, it keeps me busy. I mean I like the paycheck too -- I need the

money, " said , baker.

" We're an actual business. And we reward with a paycheck, " said Ann.

While the bakers make a salary, the rest of the staff -- 40 strong -- are

volunteers.

From humble beginnings three years ago in the ladies' own kitchens, the business

now relies on the kindness of area churches who loan them their larger cooking

spaces.

" It is a real viable company. We're looking for contracts, we're looking for

customers and there are lots of dogs out there -- that are just dying to have a

Waggie, " said Ann.

And, so far, it is the local community who is stepping up to support their

sales.

" You're putting kids with special challenges to work and that's a great thing, "

said Coogan, veterinarian. " It's a great illustration of how we all need

to work and these kids love doing what they are doing. And they are proud of

their product and rightfully so. "

From the local vet to the neighbor grocer, people are fetching the doggie

treats.

There is a waiting list of young adults who would like to work for Waggies. But

to hire more bakers, they need to increase sales -- which is why they hope the

program will grow beyond Delaware's borders.

" We would like to see the business go to another area, maybe Philadelphia, maybe

Chicago, somewhere like that. Where someone is doing the same thing that

Ann, Leigh and I are doing, taking a group of special needs people and doing the

same thing that we are. Because we think it's something that should be passed

on, " said Rockwell, leadership team.

" We would like to see it grow nationally. Our program can be replicated

anywhere, " said Ann.

" I would love to see somebody else in another community copy us. Or work with us

to start another Waggies somewhere else, because it's working so well for us, "

said Leigh.

But more than anything it's about self-empowerment.

" One of the bakers walked past me on the table the other day and she goes, I

just love my life! And it was just so heart-warming to hear, that she actually

likes coming here, " said Chris.

" At the end of the day, when Becky comes over and gives you a little hug and

says, 'You're the best,' that certainly is rewarding, " said Ann. " When you

see the bakers take ownership I think that's the biggest thing -- that they are

very proud and they know Waggies. And they're very happy to share what they do

with others and that's exciting. "

All the dog treats are made from healthy ingredients so humans can eat them too.

If you want to find out more on the program or buy some treats for your pup,

check out their website waggies.org.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the suggestion Laurie.  I do love to bake and I do love dogs.  I

just don't want to start my own business.!  I applaud all of you who have taken

this worthwhile path though.

 

Margie

From: Jerue Family <jeruefamily@...>

Subject: Doggie Business in Delaware

IPADDUnite , " Dawn Villarreal " <autismcc@...>

Date: Sunday, February 20, 2011, 5:59 PM

 

Great story shared by a speech path friend -- not sure of the original source,

but there's a website at the bottom of the article for anyone who wants more

information about this. This one will make you smile. And Margie, if you're out

there reading this, this idea has your name written all over it....because you

love dogs and you also love to bake!!

Meaningful Employment Opportunities

Anyone who has ever searched for a job or who is currently looking for work

knows it can be a challenging process. But two moms from Delaware took on the

challenge of finding meaningful employment for their daughters. When

opportunities weren't readily available, they decided to create a business

themselves! The result has been a real treat -- benefiting both the workers and

the four-legged friends they serve.

" We love dogs and we just thought it was something our bakers would really like

making, " said Leigh.

Ann Nolan and Leigh Corrigan are in the dog-bone business. And, how they

got there is a real labor of love.

" Actually the idea started with a problem of unemployment among people with

intellectual disabilities, " said Ann Nolan, co-founder.

" We both have children with disabilities. And way back when, Ann said,

maybe someday when the girls are old enough we can start a business together, "

said Leigh Corrigan, co-founder.

The team chose dog-biscuits -- primarily, they say, because people with dogs

tend to be nice people. They named the company " Waggies by Maggie and Friends "

after Leigh's daughter.

" Waggie rhymes with Maggie, so that's how we came up with the name, " said Leigh.

Although Maggie is non-verbal, her excitement about working here and being the

namesake speaks volumes.

In addition to helping their own children, they also wanted to provide job

opportunities to other adults with intellectual disabilities.

" It's an untapped pool of talent. It truly is. And what we discovered is yes

there is a need, " said Ann.

Specially designed cutting boards and cooking utensils allow each baker to excel

and find his or her individual specialty.

" We kind of have experts in different fields. You'll see Matt coming in today

and he's our mixer, " said Ann.

" What I'm doing here is mixing the peanut butter, milk and flour to make our

dough, " said Matt, baker.

" My favorite part is cutting the dough, " said , baker.

" Becky who is coming in is our energizer bunny. She can just cut like nobody's

business. is very, very good at doing the bits, she just loves that, "

said Ann.

This non-profit employs 10 bakers who help to crank out about 2,000 dog treats a

day.

" I like working, it keeps me busy. I mean I like the paycheck too -- I need the

money, " said , baker.

" We're an actual business. And we reward with a paycheck, " said Ann.

While the bakers make a salary, the rest of the staff -- 40 strong -- are

volunteers.

From humble beginnings three years ago in the ladies' own kitchens, the business

now relies on the kindness of area churches who loan them their larger cooking

spaces.

" It is a real viable company. We're looking for contracts, we're looking for

customers and there are lots of dogs out there -- that are just dying to have a

Waggie, " said Ann.

And, so far, it is the local community who is stepping up to support their

sales.

" You're putting kids with special challenges to work and that's a great thing, "

said Coogan, veterinarian. " It's a great illustration of how we all need

to work and these kids love doing what they are doing. And they are proud of

their product and rightfully so. "

From the local vet to the neighbor grocer, people are fetching the doggie

treats.

There is a waiting list of young adults who would like to work for Waggies. But

to hire more bakers, they need to increase sales -- which is why they hope the

program will grow beyond Delaware's borders.

" We would like to see the business go to another area, maybe Philadelphia, maybe

Chicago, somewhere like that. Where someone is doing the same thing that

Ann, Leigh and I are doing, taking a group of special needs people and doing the

same thing that we are. Because we think it's something that should be passed

on, " said Rockwell, leadership team.

" We would like to see it grow nationally. Our program can be replicated

anywhere, " said Ann.

" I would love to see somebody else in another community copy us. Or work with us

to start another Waggies somewhere else, because it's working so well for us, "

said Leigh.

But more than anything it's about self-empowerment.

" One of the bakers walked past me on the table the other day and she goes, I

just love my life! And it was just so heart-warming to hear, that she actually

likes coming here, " said Chris.

" At the end of the day, when Becky comes over and gives you a little hug and

says, 'You're the best,' that certainly is rewarding, " said Ann. " When you

see the bakers take ownership I think that's the biggest thing -- that they are

very proud and they know Waggies. And they're very happy to share what they do

with others and that's exciting. "

All the dog treats are made from healthy ingredients so humans can eat them too.

If you want to find out more on the program or buy some treats for your pup,

check out their website waggies.org.