Ädelbrook dog bone business Barkery to celebrate expansion

MIDDLETOWN — The Cromwellbased Ädelbrook Transitional Academy, a communitybased vocational program for young adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, will be celebrating its larger location with a ribbon cutting Tuesday.

The event will be held at 10 a.m. at 125 Riverview Center, Suite 102. The retail store will also be celebrating the third anniversary of its Barkery, according to a press release.

The public is welcome to celebrate the ribbon cutting “barkaversary” with a tour, meet some of the staff and students, and enjoy refreshments, according to the agency. People will have an opportunity to learn about what Ädelbrook is doing in the community and how it can help other local businesses, the release said.

The Ädelbrook Transitional Academy serves students 1821 who have finished their high school education, but would benefit from additional functional academics as well as vocational training. The Transitional Academy works with many local businesses who provide valuable work experience to the students, the release said.

Additionally, the Barkery is a storefront business, where students in the academy make dog biscuits and other special dog treats using allnatural ingredients. In addition to specially made treats, the Barkery maintains other items from local craft vendors. The students manage every aspect of the storefront “from baking to banking,” the release said.

Ädelbrook is a multiservice agency specializing in behavioral and developmental services dedicated to meeting the unique needs of families and individuals of all ages, as they relate to intellectual/ developmental disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

It provides shortterm, longterm and respite residential programming for children and young adults. Inhome and communitybased services take place as little as two hours a week, and the agency has roundtheclock staffing. Three learning centers and two transitional academies offer an educational continuum for students 321.

To atted, contact Heidi Trautman 8607402550, Ext. 0.

Hearst Connecticut Media file photo Ädelbrook Behavioral & Developmental Services of Cromwell runs the Barkery dog bone shop in Middletown‘s Riverview Center.