A Rare Breed: Meet Owner Regine Jefferson of LeCoco Nutrition for Dogs

Tell us about yourself.

I am Régine Jefferson and I am the Owner and Founder of Lé Coco Nutrition.

I’m a native of Bergen County, New Jersey. As a science and premed major, I was on the medical school track, although many factors came into play and I began my journey into fitness and wellness. I have been everything from a personal trainer and stretch coach, to a coach for athletes and bodybuilders. I also competed in bodybuilding as a bikini competitor until I accepted the harsh reality that competing was anything but healthy!

My focus was on medicine and fitness, but not nutrition directly. Although as someone with rare severe food allergies nutrition was really a priority, but personally it just never felt that way. After reevaluating things and taking a closer look at my real passion I decided I wanted to focus on wellness and nutrition. With my science background and my extensive experience, nutrition also came quite easily for me. With that I transformed my bodybuilding coaching and training brand into more of a healthy wellness and nutrition based brand for humans which began my company, Body By Regine.

My goal was to help people learn how to be healthy, cook at home, eat and live better, and more importantly show how easy it is on any budget! I began offering an array of specialties including nutrition and wellness, but also mindfulness and enrichment education for children and professional development for corporations and businesses.

What is Lé Coco Nutrition?

Lé Coco Nutrition is a holistic organic handmade pet treat, food and wellness brand. Made and approved by a Nutritionist. It’s fresh, local, and organic holistic canine nutrition.

What is the inspiration behind Lé Coco?

My dog, Coco, a Yorkshire Terrier, had a stroke 3 years ago and that changed everything. He literally couldn’t lift his head up. I had to take him everywhere with me, because he was so helpless, let alone being a tiny 4lb pup! He couldn’t move and he wouldn’t eat. This made me reevaluate his entire diet. It made me realize if I am doing this for humans, why can’t I do this for pets. I was always aware of the terrible dog food brands, and typically used the more expensive brands, but price doesn’t mean anything when it comes to value!

I said to myself, “If our human food doesn’t last more than 5 days, why would you want to give your dog food that does?”

I started by making my dog’s food from scratch with chicken and rice. He loved it. This is when I started making my chicken and beef mix of meatballs and my dog loved it and it became Lé Coco’s Original Recipe. Ultimately, Coco made a 100 percent recovery due to the nutritional changes I made to his nutrition—all human grade fresh meats and poultry, fruit and vegetables, vitamins, wholefoods, minerals, spices, and herbs, plus alkaline water.

What products does Lé Coco Offer?

Currently, I offer a variety of meatball treats and other items on my site. Some flavors of treats are: Double B’s (beef & bison), Salmon & Sweet Potato, Original Recipe, and Coco Supreme (veggie infused).  I also sell Pedi Paws Canine Paw Balm, Sani Paws Paw Sanitizer, Vita-Minis, Mini Meal toppers, bandanas, dog mom totes, sweatshirts, dog dad tees, and other fun pawrent gear!

I also offer Canine Nutrition Consultations and Fresh Canine Organic Meals for your dog.

What makes Lé Coco Special?

All of our treats are human grade, organic, and handmade by a nutritionist! This means they’re made of ingredients approved by the FDA for human consumption an certified organic. They’re not made using odds and ends of animals that you and I wouldn’t eat as humans. I am only using organic quality ingredients approved by the FDA for human consumption.

What are your most popular products or services?

A fan favorite are the Double B’s treats – beef and bison meatballs. This is the most popular because it is literally 100 percent meat. The bison is native to the U.S. so it’s easier on the digestive system for both humans and animals. Bison is also federally protected to solely graze on grass without any antibiotics, additives or anything other than grass.

Any new products on the horizon?

I am coming out with a new frozen dessert option for dogs soon.

How do you accommodate your clients?

I work with all sorts of dog owners. Some clients have dogs that are picky eaters, some have specific disabilities or orthopedic issues such as liver or kidney issues, while some just want to focus on pet nutrition and their pet living their best life. The pet food I make is for all dogs.

How would you describe your day-to-day life?

My day is centered around my dog Coco of course. I take care of him first. I walk him and make him his breakfast. I follow up on emails, take him for a walk in his stroller ride. He’s an elder pup and can’t walk very long, he prefers to be carried. Then usually, I spend the rest of the day baking and planning for my baking and the farmers markets that I plan to attend.

What do you love most about your job?

I love that I am able to educate people who otherwise wouldn’t know what they’re doing is right or wrong. I am teaching people and their pets to live their best lives. Pets are especially only here for a short time and I want people to be able to give their pups their best life possible!

Tell us about Coco, your dog.

Coco is a 12 year old yorkie. He is my Chief Barking Officer that oversees everything. He goes on all deliveries, approves all operations and tastings. He is the reason everything started, of course. He means the world to me. He loves to eat Lé Coco Nutrition of course and his daily fruit snack is fresh blueberries and pears.

Where can we find Lé Coco Nutrition?

You can purchase Lé Coco products on my website at lecoconutrition.com or catch me at the local farmers markets. We are expanding and will be available on DoorDash soon as well as several retailers.

Follow me on instagram to see where I will be next.