Sassy Woof was lucky enough to chat with Anne from Pawfectly Delicious for our fourth small business highlight. We are so happy we discovered this non-profit because Anne and Bryan’s story and mission are INCREDIBLE. The team is doing so much more than making dog treats—they’re providing adults with disabilities the opportunity to work in an inclusive environment and it is truly inspiring.
1) Tell us about yourself, your small business, and how it started!
Hi! I'm Anne Tuccillo, and together with my son Bryan, we co-founded Pawfectly Delicious Dog Treats, a nonprofit based in Alexandria, Virginia. Bryan was born with a rare neurological condition, facing numerous health and learning challenges throughout his school years. As his parents, we were aware that finding a job would be difficult for him once he aged out of special education services at 22. With the underemployment rate for disabled adults at 80%, we knew we had to create a plan to give Bryan purpose and structure after high school. Bryan has been the driving force behind everything I do. Despite facing countless challenges in his 33 years, he remains unwaveringly positive, and his infectious humor and optimism touch everyone he encounters. His resilience has been my source of strength and determination, inspiring me to venture into uncharted territories and achieve what I once thought impossible.
A dear friend and colleague suggested we start a business where Bryan could work, using her gingersnap recipe to make all-natural dog treats. We began baking in our home kitchen in 2016, selling to family and friends. As demand grew, we decided to establish Pawfectly Delicious Dog Treats as an official nonprofit in October 2017. We wanted to extend this opportunity to others in similar situations, so we started with a group of four young men with various disabilities who helped bake, package, and sell our treats locally. Over the years, our team has grown from four volunteers to a paid staff of 11 disabled adults.
2) Can you talk a little about your mission and core values?
Our mission is central to everything we do: "To provide adults with disabilities the opportunity to engage in meaningful work and job training in an inclusive environment that celebrates their talents and connects them with the community." While making dog treats is what we do, providing the dignity of paid work in an inclusive environment is why we do it. Our core values reflect our mission's spirit:
Dignity and Belonging
Entrepreneurship
Collaboration
People over Profit
Diversity and Equality
Learning and Curiosity
3) What is your favorite part about owning a non-profit small business?
The most rewarding part is seeing the impact we make on the lives of an underestimated and underserved population. Our treats transform lives, and we are grateful to play a small role in improving someone's quality of life. Providing a sense of purpose, pride, and the opportunity for a disabled person to have their first paid job is truly a gift and a joy. Running a nonprofit is challenging, with constant reliance on fundraising, grants, and revenue generation, but the intrinsic impact on those we serve is immeasurable. Pawfectly Delicious Dog Treats is the hardest job I've ever loved, and I look forward to expanding more employment opportunities for disabled adults in the future.
4) How can our blog readers support your mission?
You can support us by shopping our products on our website, sharing our mission on social media, and with fellow dog lovers. You can also make a financial contribution, attend our upcoming fundraiser, or volunteer at a baking session, community event, or by passing our information along to potential retail partners.
If you’re looking for some tasty treats for your pup, while also supporting a business that’s giving back in such a meaningful way, definitely check out Pawfectly Delicious. Here is their website: www.pawfectlydelicious.org
