MENTOR, Ohio — They are treats for pups that you can truly feel good about -- and they are made by a small business out of Mentor known as "Pieces of Imagination." Up and running since 2017, the business has blossomed since then.
It is housed inside Deepwood Industries, and its JCR Imagine Program provides many services and opportunities for adults on the autism spectrum.
That includes jobs allowing them to show off their skills and talent while making a product they can feel good about!
"The individuals do all aspects of making the dog treats. From making them, to baking them, to the packaging and labeling. All the steps," explained Rachael Urbanek, Deepwood Industries Program Manager.
Care extends to the ingredients used to make the treats. Pieces of Imagination prides itself on using all-natural ingredients and offering two flavors: Peanut butter banana and peanut butter pumpkin.
They come in a variety of shapes -- including puzzle pieces, which is the symbol used to spread awareness and represent the complexity of the autism spectrum.
But at Pieces of Imagination, they also represent all that is possible when opportunities exist.
"Just to see it from start to finish, and it's something to be proud of, that they were all a part of," Urbanek said.
Money raised from sales goes back into the program. You can find Pieces of Imagination Dog Treats at the following retailers:
- Barktown Willoughby
- Unique Like Me (Painesville)
- Bailey's Bark (Wickliffe)
Pieces of Imagination treats are also sold at pet vendor events during the year, at farmers markets, Shop with Your Pet (Great Lakes Mall) and Mutt Strut (Lake Humane Society).
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Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in a previous pets story on April 6, 2022.