A Harrison-based, dog-cookie company that raises money for guide dogs has been able to increase its productivity thanks to a team of dedicated bakers in Chilliwack.
Four people with Chilliwack Society for Community Living (CSCL) 91裸聊视频� a non-profit organization that supports adults with developmental disabilities 91裸聊视频� were recently hired to help make Tommy91裸聊视频檚 Choice Dog Cookies.
Back in October 2023, they met 16-year-old Ryder Newhouse, the young entrepreneur who started the dog-treat business in January 2022.
Ryder, who has autism spectrum disorder, and his grandmother Lillian Newhouse said Tommy91裸聊视频檚 Choice has been so successful over the past two years that they couldn91裸聊视频檛 keep up with demand.
Ryder and Lillian were guest speakers at a workshop in Langley hosted by Community Futures B.C. as part of its Entrepreneurs with Disabilities program. While there, they connected with vocational councillor Jodie Dessau from CSCL, and she suggested that the adults in CSCL91裸聊视频檚 Life program would be the perfect fit for Ryder91裸聊视频檚 business.
91裸聊视频淚n the Life program, you have to want to work,91裸聊视频� Dessau said.
91裸聊视频楲ife91裸聊视频� stands for 91裸聊视频榣earning, inclusion, friendship and employment.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淓very person who joins us has jobs besides this dog-cookie business,91裸聊视频� Dessau said.
Life program client Alec Chelczynski stocks shelves at FreshCo, and also helps clean kennels and feed animals at a pet hotel in Rosedale. Kyle McMillan works at the Mission Thrift Store. And Kara-Lyn Loewen and Michelle Phillips deliver the Coffee News throughout Chilliwack.
They all get paid for those jobs, and now they91裸聊视频檙e getting even more income by making Tommy91裸聊视频檚 Choice Dog Cookies every week.
91裸聊视频淚 think the best part of the whole thing is they91裸聊视频檙e enjoying it,91裸聊视频� Lillian said. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 just so gratifying for them.91裸聊视频�
The extra hands have been 91裸聊视频渞eally helpful,91裸聊视频� she added.
Ryder and the four adults in the Life program are known as Team Ryder. They were at the Christmas Craft Market in November where Chelczynski, also known as the team91裸聊视频檚 salesperson, had customers coming to the booth by shouting out 91裸聊视频淓xtra! Extra! Tommy91裸聊视频檚 Choice Dog Cookies!91裸聊视频�
Once a week, the Life members make 24 packages of cookies with help from Ryder. In addition, Ryder also bakes dog treats twice a week at a commercial kitchen in Agassiz.
Thanks to the team from CSCL, Ryder has been able to raise even more donations for BC and Alberta Guide Dogs.
Animal-lover Loewen has already put some of her income from making cookies back into the community.
After a recent pay cheque, instead of holding onto the money for herself, she bought two packages of Tommy91裸聊视频檚 Choice Dog Cookies and donated them to the Community Animal Response and Education (CARE) Centre.
91裸聊视频淚 don91裸聊视频檛 care about money, I care about animals,91裸聊视频� Loewen said. 91裸聊视频淓verybody91裸聊视频檚 so focused on money. For me, I care about what91裸聊视频檚 more important in life 91裸聊视频� animals. That91裸聊视频檚 who I am.91裸聊视频�
Tommy91裸聊视频檚 Choice Dog Cookies are available in 18 stores in B.C., including seven in the Chilliwack/Rosedale area, and five in Agassiz/Harrison. For more, go to tommyschoicedogcookies.ca.
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