{"id":232628,"date":"2026-05-05T19:38:39","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T23:38:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/?p=232628"},"modified":"2026-05-05T19:38:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T23:38:39","slug":"pawfectly-delicious-alexandria-nonprofit-va","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/pawfectly-delicious-alexandria-nonprofit-va\/","title":{"rendered":"This Alexandria Dog Treat Business Is Creating Opportunities for Adults with Disabilities"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"custom_featured_image\" style=\"display:none;\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/pawfectly-delicious-dog-treats-800x533.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image\" alt=\"pawfectly delicious dog treats\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/pawfectly-delicious-dog-treats-800x533.png 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/pawfectly-delicious-dog-treats-768x511.png 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/pawfectly-delicious-dog-treats-585x390.png 585w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/pawfectly-delicious-dog-treats-263x175.png 263w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/pawfectly-delicious-dog-treats.png 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/div><div id=\"custom_category\" style=\"display:none;\">doing good <\/div><p>One of Northern Virginia\u2019s most popular treats is a small-batch, handmade cookie. <a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/chiboo-bakery-macarons-reston-va\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">This cookie has<\/a> been found in hotel welcome kits, party goodie bags, national wholesale orders, and other spots for a VIT (very important treat). This cookie is actually a dog treat, and it&#8217;s made by the team at Pawfectly Delicious Dog Treats, an Alexandria-based nonprofit organization created to employ young adults with disabilities. Anne Tuccillo founded the organization when her adult son, Bryan, aged out of special education services in Fairfax County. The Fairfax Girl visited the Pawfectly Delicious kitchen to learn more about the treats and the mission. <strong>Read on for more about Pawfectly Delicious Dog Treats.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-232638\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/pawfectly-delicious-dog-treats.png\" alt=\"pawfectly delicious dog treats\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/pawfectly-delicious-dog-treats.png 1000w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/pawfectly-delicious-dog-treats-800x533.png 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/pawfectly-delicious-dog-treats-768x511.png 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/pawfectly-delicious-dog-treats-585x390.png 585w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/pawfectly-delicious-dog-treats-263x175.png 263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Backstory&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<p>Like many parents of children with disabilities, Anne Tuccillo found herself at a crossroads when her son Bryan was about to age out of Fairfax County\u2019s special education services. \u201cIt turns out there are a lot of us,\u201d she said. \u201cParents who want to find meaningful work and programs for their adult children with disabilities, and there really aren\u2019t a lot of choices.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Many parents of adults with disabilities are still searching for ways to give their children structure and independence after school ends.&nbsp; At the time, Anne was working at the Department of Education\u2019s Office of Federal Student Aid. A coworker suggested that she create something for Bryan to do, such as starting a business. \u201cShe had a recipe for homemade dog treats and said we should try it out,\u201d Anne said.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-232634\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/anne-and-bryan-pawfectly-delicious.png\" alt=\"anne and bryan pawfectly delicious\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/anne-and-bryan-pawfectly-delicious.png 1080w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/anne-and-bryan-pawfectly-delicious-800x800.png 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/anne-and-bryan-pawfectly-delicious-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/anne-and-bryan-pawfectly-delicious-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/anne-and-bryan-pawfectly-delicious-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/anne-and-bryan-pawfectly-delicious-585x585.png 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Anne and Bryan used the recipe and started making dog treats in their home kitchen in 2016. Anne retired from DOE, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pawfectlydelicious.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pawfectly Delicious<\/a> became an official business in 2017. The operation moved into a dedicated space at St. Luke\u2019s Episcopal Church in Alexandria for baking and packing in 2018. \u201cWe started with four young men in 2018, and now we have 12 paid employees, with one more completing an internship,\u201d Anne said. \u201cWe have a good retention rate; employees can stay as long as they want.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Pawfectly Delicious is designed around the idea that the workplace should adapt to employees &#8211; not the other way around. The team uses tools like customized rolling pins, visual templates, step-by-step guides, and adapted packing tools to help employees complete tasks successfully and confidently. \u201cWe modify the environment to meet employees where they are,\u201d Anne said. \u201cSo that might mean special tools or templates to complete tasks.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>Read more:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/arielle-shoshanna-mosaic\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">This Alexandria Boutique is a Destination for Perfume Lovers Nationwide<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe work with the employees on skills including counting money, working the iPad, taking orders at market pop-ups,\u201d Anne said. \u201cThis helps them connect their work to the end product, and their paycheck.\u201d Employees are on the baking or packaging team, and everyone plays a part in getting the treats baked, packaged, and out the door.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-232636\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/pawfectly-delicious-spring-set.png\" alt=\"pawfectly delicious spring set\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/pawfectly-delicious-spring-set.png 1080w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/pawfectly-delicious-spring-set-800x800.png 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/pawfectly-delicious-spring-set-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/pawfectly-delicious-spring-set-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/pawfectly-delicious-spring-set-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/pawfectly-delicious-spring-set-585x585.png 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In addition to creating an inclusive workplace, the Pawfectly Delicious team has created an Employee Wellness Initiative to further benefit employees. Darcy Kohn, Outreach and Marketing Lead, says that the program connects employees to mental and physical health benefits they may not have access to, which is especially important given the high rates of comorbidities in the disabled community. \u201cWe work with a music therapist, a chair yoga instructor, and we work with a coach from CrossFit Lorton to help with nutrition and movement coaching,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<h3>The Business of Biscuits<\/h3>\n<p>The team works during the week to bake and package the treats, and then sells them at local farmers&#8217; markets and other special events during the weekends. We visited the Pawfectly Delicious kitchen just ahead of the holiday rush and saw the group in action, pulling trays from the oven, labeling packages, and packing up orders. Most of all, we smelled the truly incredible smell of the ginger biscuits &#8211; there is no mistaking the homemade aroma.&nbsp;<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-232635\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/pawfectly-delicious-gift-bag.png\" alt=\"pawfectly delicious gift bag\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/pawfectly-delicious-gift-bag.png 1080w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/pawfectly-delicious-gift-bag-800x800.png 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/pawfectly-delicious-gift-bag-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/pawfectly-delicious-gift-bag-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/pawfectly-delicious-gift-bag-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/05\/pawfectly-delicious-gift-bag-585x585.png 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The biscuits are available in 4-ounce and 8-ounce bags. A simple, ginger-flavored recipe is used all year round, and the team uses cookie cutters for different holidays and occasions. The biscuits are available through the company website, at the local farmers&#8217; markets where Pawfectly Delicious pops up, and at several local retailers in the DMV area.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;A big accomplishment for the company was creating key partnerships in the hospitality industry. \u201cWe make custom heart-shaped treats in special bags for dog-friendly hotels,\u201d Anne said. \u201cWe work with the Hotel Monaco and the Hotel George in DC, plus several other hotels nationwide.\u201d Pawfectly Delicious treats are available through<a href=\"https:\/\/www.procureimpact.us\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Procure Impact<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a purchasing platform that connects hospitality businesses with mission-driven companies, often with a social impact element. \u201cIn 2025 we made 2,000 bags of treats for the hotels,\u201d Anne said.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Looking Ahead<\/h3>\n<p>Pawfectly Delicious operates as a 100% nonprofit, meaning every dollar, from treat sales, donations, and fundraising, goes back into supporting employees and growing the program.<\/p>\n<p>Anne said that at the core of the organization\u2019s mission is still finding meaningful employment for adults with disabilities. \u201c<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employers have failed the disability community because they\u2019re not offering opportunities, as they should,\u201d she said. \u201cI think it makes everybody&#8217;s community better when everybody can feel included.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DXw3aA0jT22\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div style=\"padding: 16px;\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\"width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\"><a style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DXw3aA0jT22\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by Pawfectly Delicious Dog Treats (@pawfectlydeliciousdog)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Anne continued. \u201cThis is such a wonderful employment pool that I think is untapped. Our employees show up for work on time, and they do their job. There\u2019s very little pushback in terms of compliance with rules and regulations. Their attitude is good.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>See more:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/celebrity-delly-falls-church\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Celebrity Delly in Falls Church Celebrates 51 Years of Classic Deli Favorites<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Anne and Darcy said that the organization will continue to share recommendations and educate other workplaces on successful accommodations for individuals with disabilities.&nbsp; \u201cOur next big goal is to increase the number of donors and to expand reach for grant funding to help us employ more people,\u201d Anne said.<\/p>\n<p>The group\u2019s biggest fundraiser of the year is coming up on June 7th. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pawfectlydelicious.org\/events\/2025-paws-pours-seb4m\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Paws and Pours<\/a> is a dog-friendly festival with food, drinks, live music, a silent auction, and more. \u201cWe love this event as it is not only an opportunity for us to raise necessary funds to help our nonprofit continue to grow and thrive, but it&#8217;s a chance to spotlight and celebrate our incredible rockstar team of adults with disabilities,\u201d Darcy said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Follow @thefairfaxgirl on&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/thefairfaxgirl\/\"><span class=\"s2\">Instagram <\/span><\/a>+&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@thefairfaxgirl\"><span class=\"s2\">TikTok<\/span><\/a> for the latest Northern Virginia updates, and check out our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/events\/\"><span class=\"s2\">events calendar<\/span><\/a>, which has over 100+ events weekly to peruse. Sign up for our newsletter <a href=\"https:\/\/thefairfaxgirl.myflodesk.com\/launch2025\"><span class=\"s3\">here<\/span><\/a><\/span><span class=\"s4\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"categories\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/thefairfaxgirl.com\/news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">stories<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>doing good One of Northern Virginia\u2019s most popular treats is a small-batch, handmade cookie. This cookie has been found in hotel welcome&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":362,"featured_media":232638,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[9739,9709,7997,9865,7998,9863,690,9593,9728],"tags":[9794,9774,9744,9702,9886,9743,9845,9731],"class_list":["post-232628","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alexandria","category-fairfax-county","category-lifestyle","category-non-profit","category-people","category-pet-friendly","category-pets","category-local-girl-rss-feed","category-virginia","tag-alexandria","tag-community","tag-fairfax-county","tag-lifestyle","tag-nonprofit","tag-northern-virginia","tag-tlg","tag-virginia"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.6 (Yoast SEO v27.6) - 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