We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Lopez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?Compassion and authenticity are what my business is built on.

I wanted my company to be different than other dog companies. My compassion and belief that all animals are sentient beings is the reason I decided to produce vegan dog treats. I am sure a few people were scared away but that’s okay. I have a growing following of pet parents that are happy with my dog treats and what my business is all about. I learned that being my authentic self, loving myself, is the only way to be and it can rub off on others!

My compassion has spilled over into making my company sustainable. Our environment and what is happening to our planet and wildlife is extremely important. All my fruit and veggie scraps are either fed to the wild animals or they end up as a part of my composting pile in my yard. Packaging and shipping materials are all upcycled.

One of the best things that happened is that I have built a community of pet parents that love their dogs and want to learn about the importance of clean eating and healthy living for their furry best friends.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I love what I do! What could be better than making dogs healthy and happy?

What I want people to know about me and my brand is that I didn’t just one day decide, “hey I want to make dog treats”. It took years of research and learning to finally create my line of dog treats. I worked for several years as a zookeeper and learned a lot about wild animals and their diets. I also worked as a veterinary technician and learned the same things about domesticated animals. This all transitioned into a dog and cat rescue where I rehabilitated, trained, and found homes for over one hundred pets. Did I mention my year as a Park Ranger in Colorado? That was a dream come true for me.

What sets me apart from others is that because of my deep connection and love for dogs and all animals really, I will not compromise my beliefs. I made the decision early on that I will not have my dog treats in stores that do not have the same values as I do. I especially will not be a part of stores that sell puppy-mill dogs. It is important to hold true to one’s beliefs.

The most important lesson I learned is to believe in myself and that is all with the help of God. He leads my life, and He leads my business.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Colorado has exciting cities and beautiful mountains and lakes! My best friend is coming to visit soon, and I am taking him to Georgetown which is the perfect mountain town. Especially in the winter when they have ice fishing and jeep races on the Georgetown Lake. Since I am a huge John Denver fan, and he filmed The Christmas Gift in Georgetown I am a regular visitor. Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are wonderful places to visit! The Elk Rut in October is a wondrous experience! We will hike around Bear Lake and Grand Lake. Of course, we’ll tour downtown Denver and the 16th street mall. As a New Yorker, and so is my bestie, we must go to Piante Pizza for a delicious vegan pizza, and the best garlic knots you will ever taste.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My dad gave me my love for animals. He made sure I learned to ride horses and we would sit for hours and watch National Geographic and talk about the animals. He also made me realize that it is okay to be myself and he believed in me always. I’ll let you in on a secret. I have a horse treat coming out soon dedicated to my dad. My brother Robert and his wife Lynn have given me strength beyond words. My sister-in-law Maria taught me a lot about health and good eating which I use in my business and personal life. I am blessed to have these amazing people in my life.

Website: www.wookeecookees.com

Instagram: wookee_cookees

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