We all have a hard time coming up with the right words occasionally. And that’s no different for Cailyn Wheaton. Together with her mom, Sandi, Cailyn is the owner/partner of Little Big Dog Treats—handmade, all natural dog biscuits. But Cailyn is not your typical business owner. She was born with Down Syndrome.
As people with Down syndrome are better at understanding than expressing themselves, they are often underestimated. But mom Sandi wanted Cailyn to find a purposeful, gratifying job. Nothing really stuck until Christmas 2015, when Cailyn and Sandi were baking treats for their dogs, a skill Cailyn learned in her transitional training. It was then that Cailyn realized this was what she wanted to do. Little Big Dog Treats launched in January of 2016, providing Cailyn with a meaningful career and allowing her to work with her mom, as she always wanted. Sandi says, “I’m very sincere when I say she is the best boss that I’ve ever had.”
Today, Cailyn is thoroughly involved with every aspect of the business, from the mixing of the dough to selling the product at Nashville area farmers markets. She clearly takes pride in the work she does; her smile speaks claim to that. All of their recipes are made with “real people-food” ingredients, usually sourced from neighboring vendors at the farmers markets. They’re also made with good-smelling ingredients, because as Cailyn and Sandi know first-hand, no one wants doggy kisses from a pup that’s eaten a treat that, well, smells like dog food. Their Peanut Butter, Sweet Potato, Cheddar Cheese, and Organic Apple dog biscuits all smell good enough to eat.
Besides hand-making all of the products, Cailyn’s favorite part of the business is interacting with both two-legged and four-legged customers. While Cailyn sometimes struggles for words, her smile and enthusiasm speak for her. “She finds it really rewarding to sell something that is simple,” says Sandi, “with real people-food ingredients, not to mention experiencing the happy responses of her regular four-legged customers when they see her!” Trisha Yearwood has purchased treats for her pets from Little Big Dog Treats––a thrilling moment for Sandi, who is a fan. (Although Cailyn is waiting on her own favorite, Reba McEntire, to show up.)
Sandi expressed gratitude for their Nashville community: “both of us are so grateful for the wonderful support the Nashville area has given to our little business. This is the best, most accepting (of our special needs community) place we’ve ever lived and worked!”
Little Big Dog Treats is currently working to expand beyond the local farmers markets and into wholesale as well, meeting a longtime request of local boutiques in town. As the business continues to grow, the hope is to be able to provide jobs for individuals of all abilities.
Follow them on Instagram @littlebigdogtreats. More information at littlebigdogtreats.com
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