Arin’s Good Girl Dog Treats

Arin Wucherer was born with microcephaly, an intellectual disability, but that didn’t stop her from pursuing her passion – baking treats for her service dog Posie, who she always called Good Girl. That passion led to the founding of Arin’s Good Girl Dog Treats in 2020 in Charlotte. 

Talia Wucherer is Arin’s mother, and she explains how the organization came about. “I am a former special education teacher, so I was aware that students with special needs have a high unemployment rate. They can stay in the education system until they are 22, but once they move out of that structure, they struggle to find employment.” 

As she observed Arin’s talents for baking, she realized a bigger vision of offering that same opportunity to other young people in the community. “We started with Arin in our home kitchen and as people heard about what we were doing, they wanted to join us,” Talia says. “We outgrew our kitchen and three years ago we moved into the American Legion building in Belmont. We have a great relationship with them and use their facility three days a week to bake our three flavors of treats.”

Arin’s Good Girl Dog Treats is a great success story. Dogs and their people love the all-natural treats made with real peanut butter, cheese, bacon, and other dog approved ingredients. Now the organization is looking for a space to house the entire operation. “We are hoping to double the number of bakers we have over the next three years as we move into our own space with kitchen facilities as well as storage,” Talia says.

Arin and Talia Wucherer (l. to r.) are a mother-daughter team who started Arin’s Good Girl Dog Treats in 2020. They are committed to baking healthy and delicious treats for dogs. 

Popup shops and farmer’s markets are great places for Arin’s Good Girl Dog Treats staff to gain marketing skills. 

Currently 15 bakers work in the kitchen baking delicious treats for dogs and cats. That number grows to 30 throughout the year with students who are pursuing their high school diplomas through the occupational course of study. Talia explains, “It’s a regular diploma, but modified a bit where, in addition to their course work, they have to do 225 hours of volunteer work and 225 hours of employment with a business. We have several students who work with us to fulfill their hours towards their diploma.” 

Arin’s Good Girl Dog Treats are sold at a variety of farmer’s markets, popup shops, community events, and at some retail locations in the Charlotte area. “Each of our bakers is required to work at one of the events so they are forward facing and not just baking in the kitchen,” Talia says. “This helps them learn how to interact with the public and it highlights the ability and capability of our team members. They are competent individuals who can bake treats, and they are good salespeople too.” 

Talia notes that the model they have created for Arin’s can be transferred to other industries. “We are building a new paradigm – one in which people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are not excluded from the workplace. We are hoping that other organizations notice what we’re doing and see how they can adapt and modify it to fit their work environment. It’s not unique to dog treats.” 

Each year, Social Venture Partners Charlotte SEED20 picks ten nonprofits that are solving a community issue with an innovative approach. Arin’s Good Girl Dog Treats was selected, and Talia gave a presentation in front of 500 donors and philanthropists. “I did a 3-minute pitch onstage, which is where I first connected with TowneBank. Alice Joyce, senior vice president and private banker, and several others from TowneBank were there,” Talia says. “I am a regular at Alice’s Lunch & Learn events. TowneBank does a phenomenal job supporting nonprofits and I am grateful that I can call Alice anytime and get help when I need it.”  

Students can gain credit toward their high school diploma while working at Arin’s Good Girl Dog Treats.

Bakers love working at Arin’s Good Girl Dog Treats and puppies can’t get enough of the treats. 

Arin’s Good Girl Dog Treats can always use volunteers to work alongside bakers or to help at community events. Companies or individuals can also sponsor a baker – reach out to Talia directly at talia@arinsgoodgirldogtreats.com. And she notes that they can use help with marketing and sales to help grow the business.

For more information and to check out some great treats for your fur baby, visit ArinsGoodGirlDogTreats.com.