Dog treat maker creates supported jobs for people with disability

Lily’s Dog Treats, owned by charity The Supported Kitchen, now has more than 80 stockists and is seeking more retail and hospitality partners.

The Supported Kitchen Inc. is a registered not-for-profit organisation and charity based in Somerville on the Mornington Peninsula. Its pet treat business has grown beyond its first local retailers to stockists across the peninsula, South Gippsland and wider Melbourne, plus one in Tasmania.

Monique Hoff from The Supported Kitchen said price, quality and a recognisable ingredient list were driving new retail interest, with the founding story a secondary factor.

“I believe the product stands on its own. The story is an added bonus,” Hoff said.

That story begins with Lily, the Golden Retriever who inspired the business. Hoff said the team were lucky to have her in their lives for 11 years.

“She was able to quell anyone’s fear of dogs.”

Behind the treats is a workforce that includes people living with disability. Staff bake and pack treats, fulfil stockist and online orders, and prepare for markets. The business attends up to six markets a week, giving employees the option of customer-facing work.

Roles are discussed during the interview process, with regular check-ins to see whether people want to try something new or stay where they are.

“We often see an immediate increase in confidence as they start learning about how to make the dog treats,” Hoff said. Each employee works with a support worker who provides ongoing, on-the-job assistance.

Hoff shared a testimonial from the parent of one young adult employee.

“When he started work he was depressed, now he is generally upbeat and loves going to work and telling me all about it when he finishes.”

The parent said his anxiety had spiked during Covid, to the point where he could not walk to the end of the street without becoming overwhelmed and nauseous.

“Now he can travel for hours – his world has become so much larger.”

Some employees have since moved into jobs at other workplaces.

Hoff said many people in the community wanted to work but assumed most workplaces would be inaccessible to them, and that accessibility went beyond physical features such as ramps and bathrooms.

“Requiring a support worker while at work shouldn’t be a barrier of entry for employment.”

On the commercial side, the business positions itself at the premium end of the category. Wholesale pricing is set to give it a sustainable margin while remaining attractive to stockists.

“Our product will never be the cheapest dog treats on the market, but we do strive to be the highest quality and it’s important that our prices reflect that.”

Production rises with demand, including ahead of school holidays when stockist orders increase. The business takes on large orders rather than turning them down.

“In terms of growth, we don’t believe in saying ‘no’ to an opportunity.”

Hoff acknowledged that the supported employment model carries trade-offs.

“Working within the Supported Employment Model comes with its own challenges as it is certainly not the most profitable model to work under.”

Looking ahead, the organisation aims to build a commercially sustainable not-for-profit where rising demand directly creates more jobs. Its goals include a stronger online store, thriving farmers’ market stands, and stockists in shops and cafes across Australia and beyond.

For now, Hoff is asking businesses to get in touch.

“If there is a business out there interested in stocking Lily’s Dog Treats in their Hospitality and/or Retail Space, please reach out! We are here and ready to grow!”

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