Denton County Spotlight: Baked with Love

After learning his first dog had developed a sensitive stomach when he got older, Kasen Hernandez decided he wanted to find a way to personally help his furry friend. So, the then 8-year-old researched organic, all-natural, and human-grade ingredients and came up with recipes to bake treats that his pal Emmitt could safely eat. 

“Whenever it was my doggie’s birthday, my mom (Yadira) made a cake, and it was always made out of organic ingredients,” he said. “That’s where I got the idea.”

That was in 2022, and when the now 10-year-old Roanoke homeschooler’s family and friends learned of his talents, he decided to turn his passion into a small business. Not only would he be helping his furry friends, but he also could begin learning valuable life skills. 

“When I realized my dog Emmitt wasn’t the only one with a sensitive stomach, I got the idea to start a business,” Kasen said. 

Originally called Barktastic Bites, he and his mother, owner and lead chiropractor at AlignForm Chiropractic and Wellness Studio in Roanoke, had to change the name when they learned someone else had previously registered it. So in late January, they went with Organic Bartastic Bites.

Yadira, an April 2020 Palmer Chiropractic College graduate, opened Align Firm Chiropractic several months ago. She, Kasen, and her wife Alicia moved to Roanoke from Garland about seven years ago for a better school district and community.

Kasen sells his biscuits, donuts, “pupcakes” and specialty cakes on the organicbarktasticbites.mydurable.com/ website and also through social media like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, his mom’s patients are happy customers. 

Yadira’s medical background has been helpful when it comes to nutrition. Kasen creates his delicious and healthy treats in part by avoiding all-purpose flour in favor of oat and whole wheat products. He often adds honey, turmeric, and coconut oil for canine health benefits and makes personalized items in different colors and for special occasions. He also makes sure Emmitt gets his fill of his favorite ingredient — peanut butter.

Emmitt is now 8 years old and has since been joined in the household by three other dogs – 2-year-old Daisy; Blue, who turns 1 on March 20; and Minnie, who will reach the same age April 1. 

Kasen began making a couple of treats each week for Emmitt. It takes about 30 minutes to prepare the batter and another 30 minutes to bake them. 

“I’ve told him as he grows his business and we get everything we need, maybe we can go to the Roanoke Farmers Market in the future,” Yadira said. 

Kasen likes to experiment with different formulas including icings. 

“Something that would speak to the people that they know what their dogs would like,” he said. 

So far, Kasen has secured more than a half-dozen customers outside his family. His ultimate goal is to sell enough treats to be able to donate $500 to local animal shelters. He also wants to save for college at Texas Tech University. 

Kasen is in the first year of the Texas Tech online program after attending Hughes Elementary School through fourth grade. He ultimately wants to be a veterinarian and says math and reading are his current favorite subjects. 

Besides baking, Kasen plays soccer, and he’d like to learn how to play an instrument like piano, guitar, or violin.