Year Anniversary!

It’s a lengthy post but if you make it through this - well done! It has been a year since we decided to make some dog biscuits with Landen’s help to teach him some job skills and maybe we’d sell a few bags at a local gift shop. A year of learning, trying new things (not only for Landen but also for Jason and I with this endeavor) and most importantly, growing! It wasn’t always easy. Somedays were hard, some days we had regressions, some days we were just trying to get through the day. It wasn’t always rainbows and butterflies. But that isn’t what I want this post to be about. This is about the new skills Landen has learned. From using cookie cutters to placing stickers appropriately on packaging. From counting our K9 Kookies to helping to measure ingredients and getting his hands dirty (not one of his favorite things). This is about making deliveries and interacting with the public. This is about handling money and thanking our customers for their support. This is about observing Mom & Dad shake hands with a business wanting to support our new business and independently reaching his hand out to shake hands too (such a proud moment for us!). We started this business for Landen to learn job skills and he has learned far more than we could have imagined. In this process, Jason and I have also learned a lot. From all the requirements for starting a business (it is not for the faint at heart!) to time management as a family/business. We learned that people are awesome!! The support for Landen and what we are trying to accomplish for him has been met with so much love, kindness and support. We quickly realized this endeavor was about so much more than teaching job skills for Landen. It is also about spreading awareness about Autism and Fragile X. Awareness about building and fostering an environment for Landen to do meaningful work, gain independence and give him a sense of purpose - something EVERYONE deserves the ability to have. When you support Landen and buy his kookies, you encourage inclusion (and your pups get to enjoy a yummy, delicious treat!).

Thank you! Thank you from Landen and the rest of our K9 Kookie Crew! We couldn’t do it without you!