GALVESTON — It’s pretty easy to track down the life skills students at Ball High, especially with the assistance of a canine friend with a taste for treats.
The students mixed whole-wheat flour with milk, eggs and a special ingredient that every dog loves, then kneaded and rolled the dough in the half-hour process.
But that’s not all it takes — one student said it would be a good idea to sell the doggie treats to pet adoption centers or pet shops.
Special education teacher Jessie Taylor said that the doggie treat venture was the brainchild of one of his colleagues, Paige Terry, a former Ball High School special education teacher.
“She had this idea for a fund-raiser,” said Taylor, a special education teacher for the past 11 years.
Life skills teacher Sean McCutchen said the process involves math skills for measurements, shopping, sales, baking, manufacturing, distributing and, what every entrepreneur loves, money management.
So far, in their three-week project, the students have sold 70 mason jars packed with doggie or kitty treats and have raised about $350, which finances student field trips.
“In one day we make about 24 jars,” McCutchen said. “The kids enjoy being in the kitchen where they can listen to music — it’s enjoyable as well as educating.”
Making their deliveries throughout the school and other places on the island gives the students a high profile. The treats make a great gift idea for any furry creature, and McCutchen said they would make deliveries through the holidays.
Freshman student David Kirst rolled out the dough and cut out stars, Christmas trees, hearts and angels, as McCutchen said, “Dogs apparently love them. They’re a ‘basty-beef’ or ‘loco-pollo’ flavor.”
Students use handheld molds and everything is hand-cut. The all-natural products that go into the doggie treats are purchased at Kroger and the students experimented with the recipe to develop a treat that dogs and cats cannot resist. At least McCutchen’s taste-testers Nikki, a Labrador-spaniel mix, and Shelby, a German shepherd, both come running.
“They’re like dog cookies,” said student Adriana Monero, noting that her dog Gecko liked them.
Sergio Aguillan agreed, saying his Chihuahua, Cupcake, loves the treats that come 15 to 20 in a jar decorated for the season.
The students are at home with their small business venture and in what soon becomes an assembly line.
Senior Stephen Mendoza helped sophomore Mirna Duran mix milk and beef bouillon, the special ingredient, for the treats.
McCutchen said that when special education students are learning — “they always help each other.”
“They have patience and compassion,” he said. “They are our shining stars.”
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How to help
The pet treats are $5 a jar and orders are being taken through Friday via e-mail at: sean_mccutchen(at)gisd.org.
