In-home business takes off for pair of Bossier City dog lovers
A local dog loving duo has concocted recipes for all-natural treats that will have your four-legged friend begging for more.
Totally Barkin’ Treats is an in-home business created by Bossier residents Amy Zsimovan and Cori Baril. Their menu of cookies, biscuits and treats has kept tails wagging since opening in February.
The business venture began with Baril making treats at home for her dog, Lucy.
“She can’t eat store bought treats because they were making her sick,” Baril said. “I posted a photo on Valentine’s Day of ones I made and sold the ones I had made in three days.”
Through word of mouth, news of Totally Barkin’ Treats spread and business took off. Their ultimate goal is to have a ‘80s themed café for owners to bring their dogs and a place to bring shelter animals that are available for adoption.
For now, they are keeping it simple by setting up at the Benton Farmers Market this summer and the Bossier City Farmers Market in the fall.
“We love the atmosphere of the farmers market,” Zsimovan said. “We like talking to people and getting input from them to see what they like or would like to see us make.”
Current menu items include Totally Barkin’ Biscuits, whole wheat baked biscuits available in chicken or beef; Totally Barkin’ Bites, bite sized whole wheat snacks for small paws, great training treats; Mad Cool Cookies, whole wheat and oatmeal cookies available in chicken or beef; Homefries, dipped rawhide sticks available for small paws or large paws; Bad 2 the Bones, small or medium dipped rawhide bones.
Newly added to the menu are paw print cookies, flavored with raspberry and almond or dwarf mondo grass and coconut oil. These treats have no pesticides and are all organic. Another popular treat is truffles made with peanut butter, pumpkin and rice flour rolled in oats. Baril said they are “Da-bomb” and smell just like Thanksgiving Day.
Believe it or not, Totally Barkin’ Treats are safe for pets and humans to eat.
“We’re not going to give you a treat that our dogs wouldn’t eat,” Zsimovan said. “Our treats are a healthy option made with local, organic ingredients.”
The dog treats have a six month life span if stored properly in the freezer, but Baril and Zsimovan say theirs never make it that long because they always end up giving them to their dogs.
The duo looks forward to the day they open their own shop, complete with an entire ‘80s line of treats – Pac Man, Rainbow Brite and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle to be included.
Coincidentally, the two listen to ‘80s music while they bake in Zsimovan south Bossier home.
“We’re just going to take it day by day and see what comes from it,” Zsimovan said. “It has just been so much fun. People really do love their dogs.”
For more information and updates on new products, visit the Totally Barkin’ Treats Facebook page.
