Story and Photos by Larry H. Oskin
Doggy Delights By Allison Fogarty of Clermont has proudly achieved plenty of National media attention. Allison recently appeared again on a special new episode with the Rachael Ray Show. She was featured this past week with a large feature story in Woman’s World Magazine. The really good news is that her small Clermont start-up business is successfully receiving well-deserved national media exposure and she is inundated with an avalanche of orders for her healthy dog treat company.
New Rachael Ray Appearance: Allison was invited back for a second appearance on this popular TV show. She and her family flew up to New York City to personally partner with Rachael Ray and her team. Allison notes, “Rachael Ray is truly very sweet. She and her production team were so extraordinarily nice to us. I sent my recipes with my needed ingredients to her ahead of time, so together we could show how to make sweet potato doggy treats. We were thrilled that we were treated like celebrities. We had our own Green Room door with my name on it. We were given complimentary foods, fruit and flowers as well as studio tour plus professional hair and makeup services before appearing on camera.”
Rachael kept eating Allison’s sweet potato doggy treats throughout the show, saying “These are really very good!” After the show, Rachael Ray personally invited Allison to come back again for another show to cook pasta recipes with their moms. Rachael’s mother’s name is Allison. Allison and her family came home to be swamped with hundreds of new orders. The highest complement came when Rachael Ray exclaimed, “Chef Allison, I have to say, you are my new hero!” See the full show at: https://www.rachaelrayshow.com/recipes/sweet-potato-dog-treats-recipe
Woman’s World Magazine: A writer heard about Doggy Treats by Allison and contacted her. As a result, the August 31 issue of Women’s World featured Allison and her Doggy Treats with a big two-page photo feature story.
Help Us Gather: The H.U.G. organization did another big feature story on Doggy Treats by Allison. H.U.G. is passionate about helping talented entrepreneurs with disabilities succeed. They actively help support their brave and inspiring pursuits of happiness from people who are breaking barriers for social inclusion. See: https://weinclude.org/. Allison’s interview is noted under Influencers.
Hey, Boss Lady! Allison was recently featured with a national podcast on the Hey, Boss Lady Facebook page. Hey, Boss Lady! is a offers a podcast series about women in leadership who are changing our workplace and our world. Each episode features stories and interviews with women whose leadership is making a difference. See: https://www.facebook.com/heybosslady/
Awesome Community Involvement: Allison has graciously supported local charities, dog rescues and organizations. She recently donated 20 gift baskets for the South Lake Chamber of Commerce Teacher Appreciation Week, so a basket could be awarded to one recipient at each local school. She also made a big donation to support the Girl Scouts program for parents with Down Syndrome babies. They have donated gift baskets of her Doggy Treats to support the National Downs Syndrome Society. They are starting to work with other vendors with special causes like John’s Crazy Socks.
Covid-19 and Local South Lake Business: Unfortunately, with the Coronavirus pandemic, Allison notes, “It’s not worth the risks!” While she does have her loyal regulars with phone and email orders, she has not been comfortable participating in local Farmer’s Markets, so her business here has slowed down. Kim’s Cabbage Patch has started to carry her Doggy Treats.
Endless Challenges and Positive Opportunities: Now 29, Allison’s amazing journey began with the difficult challenges from Downs Syndrome as well as the addition of Tracheo-Esophageal Fistula – TEF and Laryngeal Cleft. These medical conditions were not easy. After many surgeries, she could not eat or drink for two years. Dr. Hotaling sent her to the Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati where they helped to save her. Allison kept going there for two years for different surgeries and tests. Even though she could not eat while recovering; she started watching Rachael Ray on the Food Channel. This is when she first got her dream to become a successful chef like Rachael Ray.
As CEO and Chef, Allison Fogarty notes, “I started my own business back in 2017, because I really do love to cook! I always wanted a cooking career. After she graduated from Hoffman Estates High School in Illinois, she joined the Entrepreneur Academy that the Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida. DSACF was just starting up after they moved here to Florida from Illinois. She notes, “DSACF taught me how to start a business. They gave me the guidance and opportunities to sell my specialty dog treats. Allison is CEO and Chef, while she and her mom Patricia are co-owners of this home-based business. John and Patricia Fogarty are her staff parents as “sidekicks” Her 6-year-old brother Ace and her 3-year-old sister Kiara have started to help.
Specialty Treats & New Recipes: Allison shares, “My dog treats are special, because I make them with fine quality ingredients that are all researched as very healthy for dogs. I do not put any salt or sugar in them. There are no preservatives in my dog treats. I sell them either frozen or freeze-dried. And dogs always LOVE my treats!” She adds, “I just introduced a raspberry yogurt and salmon treat, a new peanut butter recipe and my sweet potato doggy treats. The most popular product is my Combo Doggy Treats with 4 flavors including chicken & rice, grain-free sweet potato, pumpkin and peanut butter.” Her Doggy Treat products are only sold freeze-dried. They are very healthy for dogs because they just have yogurt, oats, blueberries and applesauce. She adds, “My recipes are all my own and they are very healthy for dogs. They are also made with lots of love by ME!”
Doggy Treat Orders & Delivery Options: They have loyal customers from all across the USA. With help from her driver, sidekick and dad; John Fogarty offers free delivery for all local Clermont and South Lake area shoppers. “We always tell customers – if you have a dog treat emergency, we will deliver!” Clermont area and Farmer’s Market customers can ask to get a Rewards Card that says Buy 4, Get 1 FREE!
Happiness Abound! Allison feels very happy and proud of her company. Allison reminds us of her business philosophy noting, “You have to Dream BIG to Be BIG! Make the dogs and their owners happy and then they will keep me busy cooking!” People with disabilities can be great entrepreneurs. The Downs Syndrome Association of Central Florida runs the Entrepreneur Academy every year and they are working to expand their program. Business people who can help should contact them and become a mentor.” See: https://www.dsacf.org/
Doggy Delights: For more information or to place an order, call 407-205-8893 or visit: www.DoggyDelightsByAllison.com. Like them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=doggy%20delights%20by%20allison&epa=SEARCH_BOX
