We love our dogs, but not the list of complicated ingredients found in most dog treats. We don't want to "reward" our canine friends with chemicals, preservatives, and other funny-sounding stuff. So we set out to make dog treats baked with real ingredients, for healthy, happy dogs.
We care about well-being for people, too. Our kitchen is part of an award-winning nonprofit called Homeward Bound of Marin, which helps homeless and low-income people gain employment skills for a more stable and happy future.
Lily leads baking at Wagster Treats with a can-do attitude, She knows every step of production, from mixing dough to baking to packing, plus caring for our kitchen machinery. Lily now teaches others in our bakery and has learned to manage large deliveries.
Like all our bakers, she built a strong foundation in the 11-week culinary program that is supported by Wagster proceeds. Working full-time for Wagster lets her save for the future with her school-age son. They recently moved to a new apartment near his school.
"I'm very proud of what I have accomplished. You have to make things happen for yourself," she says. Along with growing her income, Wagster helped Lily overcome a fear of dogs that stemmed from a childhood accident. "I've met some very nice pets at Wagster," she adds.
Austin is another member of our dog-loving team at Wagster Treats. He joined Wagster in 2023, after experiencing some rough months without housing. He signed up for training knowing it would push him outside his comfort zone.
“I absolutely didn't think I could do it at first," he says. Support from the chef instructor and staff helped him feel more relaxed, focus on the daily learning and graduate. "I'm so thankful for it. I got to learn a skill that I'll have for the rest of my life," Austin says.
Fresh Starts Culinary Academy also gave him a range of culinary techniques and ServSafe Manager certification, a national benchmark for food service and hygiene knowledge. With his adaptable skills, Austin helps keep production moving smoothly. He also has begun shipping orders and joins in preparing meals as needed for shelter and housing programs adjacent to the Wagster kitchen.
