Lincoln Bark offers nutritional treats for pets

These days, consumers deliberately look for high quality, tasty treats for their furry friends. And entrepreneur Bobbye Cochran has the perfect goodies for your pet when only the best will do.

Cochran is the founder of Lincoln Bark, a natural, human-grade pet treat company based in Chicago. "It was launched in October of 2010," says Michelle Laing, director of marketing for Lincoln Bark.

When founder Cochran learned that her own beloved dog Sophie had Addison's disease, she knew she had to take a hands-on approach to coming up with something her pet could eat. "My inspiration started with a need—to help Sophie regain all the weight she lost from her illness and a determination to learn all I could about healthy canine nutrition," Cochran says. "We literally tried every treat we could to get Sophie to eat, but when that didn't work, I decided to create treats she would like one way or another."

In Cochran's line of treats are Sweet Little Butterpup dog treats, Treat Smart dog treats and Doggie and Kitty Sprinkles. "We've gotten good feedback from the treats," Laing says.

She explains the Sweet Little Butterpup line comes in salmon, oatmeal and pumpkin flavors, while Treat Smart comes in salmon, chicken liver, roasted peanut and duck and pea flavors. All the nutritional, natural ingredients used in the products are made in the U.S.

Cochran says she created and tested her products in her own kitchen. "My daughter Sara, [13], was the official taste tester and my sous chef. Yes, they truly are 'human-grade.' It's not just a buzz word we use," she says.

Laing adds, "If we can't put them in our mouth, we're not going to give them to the dog."

When Cochran's husband would walk their dog, he'd pass out treats to neighbors who later said their dogs really liked them.

As the president of Bobbye Cochran + Associates, Cochran says she wasn't looking to start another business. But, seeing the response from the treats, she started to market them in a creative package and tested them in the marketplace at a trade show. "One thing lead to another," she says.

Today, Lincoln Bark products are available online at lincolnbark.com and at nearly 20 boutique-style pet shops around the country. Visit the website for prices, shop locations and other information.