When the Scardino family switched over to a healthier diet 10 years ago, it only made sense that the four-legged members of their family would do the same.
“My dogs are family, I want them to eat the good stuff,” said Doreen, the Scardino matriarch. “The FDA checks and regulates human food but there’s nothing when it comes to animals. No one’s watching what they’re putting into dog food.”
Doreen makes her four dogs special food, but it was a challenge finding healthy treats. Four years ago, she and her husband started making Doggie-olis, ravioli-shaped dog treats free of preservatives, out of their Carle Place home.
The inspiration for Doggie-olis began 15 years ago with Doreen’s husband Tom, a professional chef who used to own a ravioli company. He used to feed dry raviolis to their dog and once drew a funny picture of a dog with a chef hat, saying one day he would make raviolis for dogs.
Fifteen years later, Doreen, with the help of her family, is heading up that dream.
“We started messing around with recipes five years ago,” Doreen said. “We tried to find something natural, without any additives. We finally found a recipe we liked and we got the ball rolling.”
It took them about two years to lock-down packaging and a recipe that would keep well without using preservatives. They finally found a recipe that consists of six ingredients—flour, peanut butter, oatmeal, molasses, cinnamon and water. It’s an ingredient list that both dogs and their humans can enjoy.
“For human consumption it might be a little bland, but for dog consumption it has so much flavor, with the cinnamon and peanut butter,” Doreen said. “You’re overwhelmed with the smell as soon as you open the container.”
Right now, Doggie-olis are sold primarily online and the ravioli-shaped treats have attracted regular customers from all over America, as well as England and Scotland. A 20 ounce jar sells for $12.50, a 32 ounce jar for $17.50. Tom and Doreen also often go to dog shows and fundraising events, where they donate proceeds to various animal organizations such as Ruff House Rescue and Rock and Rawhide.
They’re currently focusing on increasing brand awareness and Doreen said that one day she would love to see Doggie-olis in Whole Foods stores. But more than making tons of money, selling Doggie-olis is about the experience.
“I try to show my kids it’s okay to go after your dreams. You have to pursue where your passion lies,” Doreen said. “It’s a great job for me because I deal with people who have dogs, and those people are happy. I can sit down at the end of the day, whether it was going to a fundraiser or a dog park to hand out samples, and no matter what I’ve had a good day.”
Find out more about Doggie-olis at www.doggieolis.com.
