| Heidi's
Story Our
Mission Why Organic? Awards
and Recognition Resources
 Heidi's
Story
The
idea for Heidi's Homemade organic treats for dogs came to us in
1997, when our beloved dog, Heidi, began to exhibit signs of a serious
illness. A visit to the veterinarian confirmed our worst fears -
Heidi had cancer. We were devastated, but at the same time, unwilling
to subject our 10-year-old dog to a treatment program which included
chemotherapy.
We researched the benefits of raw organic
ingredients and combined them to create Heidi's food and treats.
She steadily improved and lived another two years, though she had
been expected to live only six months. We began to follow this same
regimen with our other dog, Yoshi, a four-year-old rottweiler-shepherd
mix. After following a steady organic diet, his skin problems have
disappeared, Giardia - an intestinal parasite - is gone, and Yoshi
has a much calmer spirit.
Because we love both cats and dogs,
we decided to apply the same organic feeding theory to a stray cat
that "adopted" our home later that same year. This cat
also appeared quite ill. After eating a steady diet of organic raw
food and treats, the cat began to show marked improvement he had
more energy and was downright frisky. Carni is now a happy, healthy
cat and welcome member of our family. We are also the proud parents
of Smokie, a 12-year old cat, who because of the organic regimen,
has seen her skin problems clear up, and is no longer a finicky
eater. Like the dogs, our cats now follow an organic diet.
We wanted to share what we learned
with others, and wanted to do more than just talk about it. From
this desire - and literally months of learning and work, and plenty
of trial and error - came Heidi's Homemade dog and cat treat bakery.
It has been a source of pride and joy that we are able to create
something so special from simple earth ingredients - it is pure
alchemy to us. It is our special happiness that the animals that
are such an important part of our family are all doing so well!
A portion of the profits from Heidi’s
Homemade is donated to charitable animal organizations. We support
local farmers and earth sustainable agriculture and belong to the
Organic Trade Association, as well as the Ohio Ecological Food &
Farm Association.
Our Mission
Heidi's Committment:
To provide high-quality healthy treats, made with certified organic
ingredients whenever possible, supporting a healthy diet and lifestyle
for pets.
Heidi’s products contain organic
locally obtained ingredients whenever possible. They contain no
sugar, salt, artificial preservatives, artificial colors, propylene
glycol, artificial palatability enhancers. The ingredients in our
treats have been chosen not only for their terific taste, but also
for their health benefits.
Why Organic?
A $10 billion
dollar industry in the U.S. - pet food - may be unintentionally deceiving
pet owners. A report by the Animal
Protection Institute (API) indicated that it is not uncommon for
pet food coming out of major manufacturers to contain slaughterhouse
waste and grains considered "unfit for humans." This could
include, the API report said, cancerous and diseased meats and whole
grains that have had starch and oils removed by chemical processing.
Furthermore, the amount of grain products used in the manufacture
of pet food has increased considerably over the past ten years. What
was once considered filler is now often the major component of most
pet foods sold in supermarkets.
Following are several good reasons why your pet would do better
with organic:
- Organic foods can help dogs and cats fight disease
- just as they can in humans.
We love our bodies - our pets should be allowed to
love theirs, too!
- Organic ingredients are beneficial to creating and maintaining
a strong immune system and are more easily digested by the body.
.Certified organic products are safer for the body because they
are grown and used in our baking process without any synthetic
materials or by-products, including fertilizer, pesticides, steroids,
herbicides or insecticides.
- There are no chemical antioxidants in any of our products, or
the products we use in the formulation of our pet treats, to infiltrate
your pet's bloodstream and/or organs.
Our products have no added fats or fillers, sugar
or salt - all products which could adversely affect the health of
your cat or dog.
- .Our products are made with steam-distilled water with no chlorine,
fluoride or other chemicals added.
Organic farming is good for the environment, for
the farmers and for our future.
Twelve Reasons to Buy Local & Organic
Freshness … Locally-grown organic fruits and vegetables
are usually harvested within 24 hours of purchase by the consumer.
Produce shipped from as far away as California won't be that fresh.
Taste … Produce picked and eaten at the height of freshness
tastes better.
Nutrition … Nutritional value declines, often dramatically,
as time passes after harvest. Because locally-grown produce is freshest,
it is more nutritionally complete.
Purity … Eighty percent of American adults say they
are concerned about the safety of the food they eat. They worry about
residue of pesticides and fungicides. These materials are not permitted
in an organic production system either before or after the harvest.
Regional Economic Health … Buying locally grown food
keeps money within the community. This contributes to the health of
all sectors of the local economy, increasing the local quality of
life.
Variety … Organic farmers selling locally are not limited to
the few varieties that are bred for long distance shipping, high yields
and shelf life. Often they raise and sell wonderful and unusual varieties
you will never find in supermarkets.
Environmental Protection … Soil erosion; pesticide
contamination of soil, air and water; nitrate loading of waterways
and wells; and elimination of planetary biodiversity are but some
of the problems associated with today's predominate farming methods.
Organic growers use practices that protect soil, air and water resources,
3⁄4 providing biodiversity.
Energy Conservation … Buying locally-grown organic
foods decreases dependence on petroleum, a non-renewable energy source.
One-fifth of all petroleum now used in the United States is used in
agriculture. Organic production systems do not rely upon the input
of petroleum-derived fertilizers and pesticides; this saves energy
at the farm. Buying from local producers conserves additional energy
at this distribution level.
Cost … Conventional food processes don't reflect the
hidden costs of the environmental, health and social consequences
of predominate production practices of, for example, connecting a
water supply polluted by agricultural runoff, or obtaining medical
treatment for pesticide-induced illness suffered by farmers or consumers.
When those and other hidden costs are taken into account, as they
should be, locally grown organic foods are seen clearly for the value
they are, even if they cost a few pennies more.
A Step Towards Regional Self-Reliance … Dependency
on faraway food sources leaves a region vulnerable to supply disruptions,
and removes any real accountability of producer to consumer. It also
tends to promote larger, less diversified farms that hurt both the
environment and local economics/communities. Regional food production
systems, on the other hand, keep food supplies in the hands of many,
providing jobs and self-employment opportunities, and enabling people
to influence how their food is grown.
Passing on the Stewardship Ethic … When you buy locally-produced
organic food, you cannot help but raise the consciousness of your
friends and family about how buying decisions can make a difference
in your life and the life of your community, and how this basic act
is connected to planetary issues.
Awards
and Recognition
The Whole Dog Journal
(June, 2004):
Heidi's was listed as an approved treat by their standards
Resources
Heidi's Homemade provides a range of
helpful materials, publications and local resources to help our animal
companions and their owners. These include, but may not be limited
to information on:
- Jacquelin Smith, Animal Communicator Columbus,
Ohio
Phone: (614) 436-8831
Website: www.jacquelinsmith.com
- Alternative pet therapies
- Referral services
- Pet sitters
- Veterinarians
- Books:
The New Natural Cat
by Anitra Frazier with Norm Eckroate
Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog
by Wendy Volhard and Kerry Brown, DVM
Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul
Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care
by CJ Puotinen
Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs &
Cats
by Richard H. Pitcairn, DVM & Susan Hubble Pitcairn
Our goal is to assist and broaden the education on pet care
for all our futures.
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