On a Tuesday morning, the rich scent of peanut butter fills Eli Duncan’s classroom as students move through an assembly line, crafting their well-known Barkin’ Buddies Biscuits—a project that blends hands-on learning with a labor of love.
The initiative is part of Warriors On-The-Job, a training program at Westwood High School that connects students of all abilities with meaningful employment experiences. With the support of teachers and staff, students gain job skills, build confidence and independence, and develop valuable career readiness—all while making a lasting impact on the community.
“We have a variety of students with different disabilities and a range of abilities to work,” Duncan said. “We believe they can all contribute at some level.”
Barkin’ Buddies Biscuits was created as a student-run enterprise designed to teach workplace fundamentals through real-world experience.
Among the team members is Marah, a senior and the program’s go-to pitch person. Using a tablet with a stylus, she selects responses that her device vocalizes for customers. Marah has cerebral palsy, a neurological condition that affects body movement, muscle coordination and speech.
She carefully selects tiles on her device to ask, “What kind of dog do you have—small, medium or large? How many bags would you like to purchase? Thank you for your purchase.”
Problem-solving is an essential part of the program. When Marah struggled to hold her stylus, students from Westwood’s manufacturing career and technical education program designed and produced a custom stylus holder to support her work. They also created paw print-shaped cookie cutters for the biscuit-making process.
Angela Edelbrock, district occupational therapist and former chef, shared industry tips with students, such as using a fondant roller to scrape every bit of peanut butter from the jar and an ice cream scoop to ensure consistent portions while making handling easier.
Beyond the classroom, Warriors On-The-Job partners with businesses such as Marriott Hotels in downtown Mesa, where students gain real-world experience in a professional setting. Marriott employees help students develop job skills while fostering a more inclusive workforce. The partnership also allows students to sell their homemade dog treats at the pet-friendly hotel.
“One of the great things about our students is their outstanding work ethic,” Duncan said. “They work hard, arrive on time and rarely call out sick. Their attention to detail is unmatched.”
Looking ahead to the 2025-26 school year, Duncan hopes to expand Barkin’ Buddies’ reach by developing a robust social media presence. His goal is to make it easier for the community to connect with students, follow their progress, learn where Barkin’ Buddies will appear, and ask questions.