Retired Hershey’s chocolatier makes sweet treats for Southeastern Guide Dogs students and staff

TAMPA, Fla. - A retired researcher for the Hershey Company is using his love of chocolate to help a Bay Area non-profit.

There's something very sweet about Doug Lehrian.

"As a volunteer, I come in once a week and make desserts for the students who are being paired with their dogs. So these folks are away from home," he said.

Once a week, the former Hershey chocolatier makes sweet treats for Southeastern Guide Dogs students and staff.

Doug Lehrian mixing up chocolate treats. 

"I really enjoyed the mission of the organization," said Lehrian explained.

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"I think the fact that they can provide seeing eye dogs and therapy dogs for free is terrific," he shared. 

Doug Lehrian passes out homemade sweet treats to students and staff. 

Lehrian spent 31 years at Hershey's, dedicating his life to his love of chocolate.

"I spent a year and a half studying cocoa from the tree through the on-farm processing to shipping seeds and beans back to the chocolate manufacturers," Lehrian stated. 

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He now spends time bringing sweet joy to others.

German chocolate cake made by Doug Lehrian.

Lehrian's favorite dessert is his famous German Chocolate Cake.

"I use Hershey's ‘perfectly chocolate cake’ as the base, and then I make a German chocolate icing that I put in the middle layer and on top," he shared.

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It is a delicious treat that puts smiles on the face of his peers.

Southeastern Guide Dogs staff trying Doug's cake 

"I found that this was a way that I could use my skills and enhance the experience here at Southeast Guide Dogs just by providing something sweet and hopefully delicious," Lehrian said.

It's a delicious experience that the students and staff enjoy.