There’s nothing more rewarding than spoiling the people you love with the very best. But when those loved ones possess four legs and a waggable tail, it’s much more difficult to find something of quality to gift this holiday season.

Unlike heavily-processed options, Saint Rocco’s Treats offers something better for your best friend. With a variety of meat-based products prepared fresh in-house daily, the brand strives to be a different experience for people and their pets, celebrating the love of loyal companionship.

“We are hoping to be a brand that truly prioritizes our furry friend’s long-term health and happiness,” Penn State alum Kolby Rush said. “We’re doing this by staying committed to freshness of product, quality of ingredients, and transparency.”

Created by Rush and his brother, Kaleb, Saint Rocco’s Treats seeks to change the pet food market. As a local business in Pipersville, Pennsylvania, Saint Rocco’s uses just five human-grade ingredients in its products, living its mission each day in more ways than one.

“We are freshly preparing orders as they come in… They are not sitting in inventory for weeks at a time,” Rush said. “And for every pound of treats sold on our website, we donate $1 to local rescues.”

Crafted in artisan style, the process of food preparation matches the intention of the branding itself. Modeled in name and mission after Saint Rocco, the patron saint of dogs, the company represents the symbol’s virtue in taking care of precious pups.

“He was a doctor and lived his life bringing people back to good health,” Rush said. “He, unfortunately, fell ill and no one could come to his rescue, except for a dog.”

As the creator of the family brand, Rush explained how the values of this story are the driving force for the fast-growing business.

“They were friends for life, and we just think he’s a great example of the love and loyalty dogs have always shown humans,” Rush said. “Saint Rocco’s is a way for people to pay their dog back for that love and loyalty.” 

Gaining the trust of pet parents, Saint Rocco’s Treats offers foods for Fido including pet entrees, jerky-style treats, and even sprinkles, a topping-style delight for picky eaters. 

“They would be fasting, essentially. They wouldn’t eat for days at a time,” Rush said. “Now, you sprinkle a little bit of Saint Rocco’s sprinkles on there, and it’s not a problem.” 

A safe way to feed pets without chemical preservatives, the product line is a game-changer. From breakable-without-crumble jerky treats to fresh-frozen entree meals, options serve different purposes for every type of dog.

The experience in-shop is also designed for the full family experience, favorited by Penn State dog-fluencers, Lincoln and Lewey. Patrons can enjoy a free sample bar, photo opportunity, and open concept design, a first in the field of pet products.

“You can come in and watch our process from raw materials to finished product,” Rush said. “You can see it all live…. It’s a pretty cool concept, and we are really passionate about that.” 

Motivated by friendly, furry faces, the founders are energized and excited to expand Saint Rocco’s Treats. Yet, the idea for the brand came from the darkest of times: lockdown at home after both brothers lost internships to the pandemic in 2020.

“Just like everybody else, our world was flipped upside down,” Rush said. “We were fortunate that the product quality was enough to gain some traction.”

In a grassroots start offering samples door-to-door, the brothers pioneered recipes in their own home kitchen. Here, they first taste-tested with their own Cavalier-Poodle mix pup, Cooper, who has since been promoted to a chief tasting officer for Saint Rocco’s Treats.

“Cooper’s original reaction to those treats was incredible,” Rush said. “It definitely gave us some confidence to say, ‘Okay, we can do this.'” 

With the support of every member of the family, Saint Rocco’s Treats grew exponentially, shipping nationwide and being available in over 130 retail locations today. Looking back at the noteworthy growth, creator Kolby Rush reflected on the journey with his brother and all that lies ahead for the two young entrepreneurs.

“We were always best friends, but we’re just so much closer now,” Rush said. “We just care about each other so much. The work I’m doing is enabling him to pursue his dreams, and the work he’s doing is enabling me to pursue mine.” 

Passionate as ever, the duo have no plans of slowing down, working together to provide transparency, quality, and joy for man and his beloved best friend. 

“We wouldn’t want it any other way,” Rush said.