25 years of wagging tails, smiling faces and happy tummies at the Barkery

The Barkery is celebrating 25 years of providing homemade dog treats made with natural ingredients.

"I think it's a great accomplishment for a small business anywhere but especially Stratford. I think it feels great to offer the healthiest treats around for dogs in our area,” said Heidi Rolleman, owner of the Barkery, of the anniversary.

Rolleman said that one of her favourite parts of running her business is meeting lots of happy and fluffy customers, including visiting dogs who pull their owners to the store to indulge in the smell of treats. The Barkery’s social media is filled with pictures of dogs who stop by to have a treat, whether that’s for their birthday or just because.

The Barkery’s snaps come in a large variety of flavours such as apple carrot zucchini, pumpkin, blueberry barley and cheese and bacon. There are also seasonally decorated cookies and even birthday cakes. The treats found at the Barkery have no colours or additives that are unsafe for dogs.

“You can read and understand our ingredients and even try them yourself,” Rolleman said to the Times. “It's not always easy being a small business owner, but it is very rewarding when you see those happy tails wagging in our store and the happy pet parents that know we are providing the best treats.”

The Barkery is situated on 130 Downie St., right downtown. The Downtown Stratford Business Improvement Area (BIA) held four Dog Days of Summer events over the past few years promoting the area as a pet-friendly place.

“We love that the BIA took the initiative to create a more dog-friendly downtown,” Rolleman said. “Tourists and local people love to be able to take their dogs downtown and enjoy patios and other stores without having to leave their furry companions at home.”

Rolleman is immensely grateful for the support from her customers.

“We wouldn't be here this long if it wasn't for their support,” she said. “We also thank our wholesale customers that order from us from coast to coast. They are an important cog in this running wheel.”

The Barkery will have a 25th birthday bash on July 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature cupcakes for humans from Cakes by Julie, cupcakes for dogs made by the Barkery, a prize wheel, a raffle, music and free samples of beer for dogs. The Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo and Stratford Perth (HSKWSP) will bring some of their dogs available for adoption and accept financial donations. Other Downtown Stratford businesses like Taylor’s Deli, Chocolate Barr’s Candies, Black Swan Brewing Co., Poppin Kettle Corn, Revel and the Livery Yard will be celebrating the anniversary with special goodies for the occasion.

More information and updates about the Barkery can be found online by visiting thebarkery.ca, Facebook, or Instagram.