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does a lot of research. They found us on
social media platforms and asked us if we
wanted to be considered for involvement.
It was a long selection process after they
contacted us. They didn’t just choose us
and throw us on the list. We had to prove
that our inclusion would be beneficial to
the viewers and readers that had grown to
trust Oprah. It was an incredible platform
for growth. In my experience as a business
owner, that’s the kind of recognition that
you just can’t buy. It’s not like buying an
ad. It’s getting the stamp of approval of a
trusted celebrity choosing your product
and saying, ‘we tried this, and we think you
will like it!’ Sales went up immediately. We
reached new markets in parts of the U.S.
that we’ve never been able to reach.”
Mark believes Spot the Dog wouldn’t have
been chosen for Oprah’s list, if he hadn’t
gotten assistance from other Vermonters.
“Early on in the process, I didn’t know
anything about how to navigate the
selection process. Dave Bradbury at the
Vermont Center for Emerging Techno
ogy was very helpful. He opened up
connections in Vermont for us with other
businesses who had also been chosen
before by Oprah. Having access to people
who genuinely want you to succeed is
just fantastic. We got the most incredible
input and advice from the Runamok Maple
Syrup team - especially their President,
Curt Alpeter. They supported us through
the whole thing. That’s another thing that’s
great about Vermont: the business community
is so helpful and gracious. Working
with Oprah was a wonderful ride. We had a
great time with it.”
Spot the Dog has also made an adventurous
foray into the emerging market of
inter-species snacks with their “Yaff Bar”
product line. Made with all-natural ingredients,
the bars are safe for both canine
and human consumption. Bringing people
together through a novel bonding experience,
Yaff Bars allow dog owners to share a
healthy and tasty treat with their pets.
Mark says that “the idea for the Yaff Bar
came into being when Mary suggested to
me that I should make an edible treat that
we could share with our dogs. It was one
of those small conversations that turned
into something big. When you’re training
a dog, the dog is going to listen and learn
a lot faster if you have a treat for them. I
wanted to develop something that people
could share with their dog, but it had to be
delicious. With that idea in mind, I used my
skills from my other career as a classically-trained,
French chef to develop recipes
for the Yaff Bars. I wanted to make an
energy bar that could hold its own against
the top selling energy bars on the market
that were marketed purely for human
consumption. It couldn’t just be good. It
had to be great.”
Available in “Honey-Cran-Nutty”, “Blueberry
Crisp”, and “P-Nutty Buddy” flavors,
the bars are the official snack of Mark and
Mary’s dynamically diverse group of dogs.
Known collectively as the “Yaff Crew”, their
adorable outdoor adventures are
chronicled on the official Spot the Dog
Instagram page. Mark says that although
there are too many beautiful spots in
Vermont to pick a favorite place to take the
dogs, he and Mary love to “take them up
to Mansfield and to Camel’s Hump. They
love the lake as well, so we’ll find beaches
where you can take dogs and hikes that
will lead you to the lake and take them
there. I think Vermont is a great place to
both raise a dog and bring a dog to visit.
The natural beauty of the state is
awe-inspiring.”
Mark says that one of the other primary
reasons that Vermont is a great state
to raise a dog stems from the fact that
“there are a lot of groups in Vermont that
help to match rescue dogs in desperate
need of permanent homes with prospective
adopters.” Through a philanthropic
partnership with Golden Huggs Rescue,
Spot the Dog donates 10% of their sales
to the Waitsfield, Vermont-based nonprofit
rescue organization. Mark and Mary share
a personal connection with Golden Huggs,
as several of the dogs they have brought
into their home have been adopted from
there. Mark describes Golden Huggs as a
“marvelous organization. It’s been
incredible to partner with Brigitte Ritchie
and everyone else who works there. Being
able to help them provide homes to dogs
in need has been so fulfilling. What I love
about Vermont is that it’s small enough
that you can connect with people who
really care. You can connect with people
that want to make a change.”
Mark and Mary are firm believers in the
healing power that many people experience
through connection with their dogs.
They believe that the time an owner
spends with their dog helps to stimulate
emotional growth and also helps people
open themselves up to other meaningful
social connections.
According to Mark, “having a dog in your
life forces you to take care of something
other than yourself. When a dog needs to
eat or drink, they need you. When a dog
42 VERMONT MAGAZINE