Paws and Possibility

How a UNT alumnus and his wife transformed their love for a beloved dog into a brand that’s reaching pets nationwide.

Nearly 15 years ago, Robert (’92) and Kelly Ison added a four-legged, button-nosed West Highland Terrier puppy to their family and named her Abbey Road — a nod to their shared love of The Beatles.

A fur ball of joy, Abbey’s addition to the family would ultimately change the direction of their lives.

“Like many devoted dog owners, we became curious about pet nutrition and started paying closer attention to the treats we were giving her,” Robert says. “Kelly began experimenting with healthy, homemade recipes made with chia seed — and Abbey became our enthusiastic taste tester.”

But Robert and Kelly couldn’t have imagined the journey they were about to embark on.

“The treats were an instant hit — not only with Abbey, but with the dogs of our friends and family as well,” Robert says. “At the same time, Kelly and I had been talking about starting a business and exploring different entrepreneurial ideas. What began as a fun project quickly felt like something bigger.”

That’s how Wonder Bark was born — rooted in a creative curiosity that, for Robert, was developed and nurtured decades earlier while studying sociology at the University of North Texas.

“UNT is where my mind really opened and where I gained confidence in myself,” Robert says. “I also fell in love with Denton. It had a bohemian vibe that was creative, welcoming and a little unconventional. There was an energy on campus and throughout the community that made me feel like anything was possible.”

Between his studies and the many people he met, UNT encouraged Robert to think broadly, stay curious and see opportunities where others might not.

“Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my life and career,” he says. “That foundation — and the belief that I could figure things out and embrace new opportunities — has stayed with me ever since.”

Wonder Bark is built on those same core principles: curiosity, adaptability and a willingness to keep learning.

Together, Robert, Kelly and Abbey created their product with love and care — crafting all-natural treats inspired by the moments and memories with four-legged friends that make life so special.

“Abbey wasn’t just the inspiration behind Wonder Bark — she was our co-founder,” Robert says. “Every recipe was tested with her selective approval, and every major milestone in the business feels connected to her. While she passed away in 2025 after 14 wonderful years with us, her personality and legacy remain woven into everything we do.”

Abbey’s memory lives on in Robert and Kelly’s hearts, and she remains at the core of Wonder Bark’s mission.

“I created a caricature of Abbey that captured her personality: curious, confident and just a little mischievous,” Robert says. “That original illustration is still featured on every package of Wonder Bark treats.”

Once the excitement of designing the brand was behind them, the real work began — baking, bagging, marketing and selling in an incredibly competitive retail space. It required long hours, consistency and a lot of learning along the way.

And as sales increased, so did their need to scale up.

“We had no idea how to do this, but we slowly figured it out,” he says. “At some point there is a realization that small business owners are responsible for every single decision and that can be overwhelming. Looking back, we were fairly naïve — which might have helped us — but also very determined.”

What kept them going was a strong belief in their product and a willingness to trust their instincts.

“We knew we had something special, created with love, and that conviction helped carry us through the inevitable challenges of building something from the ground up,” Robert says.

Recently, Wonder Bark was picked up by several major distributors, expanding its availability to every state in the U.S. — and they’re just getting started.

“We’re always exploring new ideas and products,” Robert says. “Kelly and I still love gathering around a dry-erase board, brainstorming concepts and seeing where our creativity takes us.”

The path from an eager sociology student to co-founding a national pet brand wasn’t one Robert could have predicted.

“North Texas taught me to stay curious, embrace opportunities and trust that learning doesn’t stop at graduation,” he says. “Those lessons have shaped every chapter of my life since.”