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Who Are We?
The Through Our Hands Foundation aims to foster a sense of community and empower dog-loving individuals with special needs to achieve their potential through imperative life skills such as socialization, customer service, pet care, and business management through employment opportunities.
Meet Beth - President
As the Founder & CEO of Pittsburgh's #1 Premier Pet Resort, Beth leverages extensive experience in the personalized pet industry. Beth's entrepreneurial journey commenced n 2020 with the launch of her first inaugural location, Woofles Premier Pet Resort in Robinson Township, PA. Successfully growing, in 2024 she advanced to a second resort location, Woofles Littles @ Nana's House. Concurrently, Woofles Barkery was developed, presenting extraordinary opportunities to start a non-profit 501(c)3 foundation known as Through Our Hands.
Her profound passion and experience for animals has driven her to create distinctive personalized services, distinguishing Woofles "top notch" above other resorts.
Empowering the lives of gifted special needs individuals with passion and purpose is the powerful catalyst behind the Through Our Hands Foundation.
Meet Vijay - Secretary
Vijay possesses over 20 years of experience in the IT industry, where he has assisted numerous high-profile national companies in overcoming their daily operational challenges. In addition to his IT expertise, Vijay is deeply passionate about providing support to small and midsize local businesses, enabling them to achieve their objectives. As an active member of both the South Fayette Chamber of Commerce and the West Moreland Chamber of Commerce, Vijay committed to supporting essential initiatives, such as the March of Dimes, which advocates for the health of mothers and babies, and Bids for Kids, a charitable organization dedicated to enriching the loves of children in the greater Erie and Pittsburgh areas. Furthermore, Vijay is involved in Rotary International initiatives. His ultimate goal is to make a profound impact in the community by providing assistance to those who need it most.
Meet Mike - Treasurer
Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He possesses over 37 years of professional experience in the accounting and auditing profession, with the last 33 years focused on tax audit compliance. Throughout his career, Michael has worked in audit and supervisor roles, providing support to senior management in budgeting, facilities, audit, and technical assistance functions. Since its inception four years ago, Michael has been an integral part of Woofles Premier Pet Resort, overseeing accounting and human resource functions, including vendor payments, financial statement preparation, payroll, and tax return filings. Additionally, Michael has been actively involved in community volunteering, having previously served as treasurer for his homeowners association and various youth sports organizations.
Meet Theresa - Board Member
Theresa is an experienced professional baker and cake decorator at Woofles Barkery. She grew up in Southern California and moved to Pittsburgh in 2010, where she fulfilled her dream of becoming a professional cake decorator. Over the years, Theresa has volunteered and worked with multiple nonprofits, utilizing her skills in graphic design and serving as an executive assistant. Woofles Barkery and the Through Our Hands Foundation was the perfect fit for Theresa because of her love for animals and her heart for gifted individuals with special needs. This passion is close to her heart, as she has an autistic nephew and other family members with special needs. Theresa believes there is no better time than the present to do something good for others.
Meet Lisa W. - Board Member
As a native resident and proud Penn State alumnus, I embarked on my professional journey at Highmark before transitioning into the fulfilling role of a stay-at-home mom. This experience has not only enriched my personal life but also provided me with a unique perspective that I am eager to bring to the board. Balancing family responsibilities with pursuing my passion for baking and cooking has refined my skills in time management, creativity, and resourcefulness. However, my most formative experience has been raising my three sons. Our family has also benefited from the exceptional programs at West Allegheny High School, including the life skills program that one of our sons participated in. My son Jacob is now a valued member of the Woofles team, pursuing his passion for animals. I am privileged to work at the Woofles Barkery, creating healthy and nutritious treats for our four-legged friends. As a barkery Team Lead, I am dedicated to enriching the education and employment of our individuals with special needs. My passion for baking and cooking reflects my love for bringing people together. I am committed to making a positive impact on our community.
Meet Lisa H.- Board Member
I derive utmost satisfaction from baking in the kitchen and helping others in need. Having grown up in Pittsburgh's South Hills, where nut rolls, cookie tables, and cheesecakes are deeply ingrained, I grew my desire for baking. I leveraged my education background in business finance, secondary education, and teaching to instruct at the collegiate level until I chose to devote my time to raising my children. My passion for family and baking subsequently led to the creation of numerous pasteries and delicacies. As a stay-at-home mom, I also assumed the role of director of fundraising for the South Fayette High School baseball team for over eight years. For more than 12 years, I have spearheaded a back-to-school fundraiser aimed at providing essential items to our area's local food bank. My involvement with Woofles Barkery and the Through Our Hands Foundation harmoniously integrates my love of baking, animals, family-oriented atmosphere, and commitment to assisting those in need.
Meet Barb - Board Member
I have resided in Beaver County until relocating to Robinson Township in 2023. I accumulated 20+ years of experience in employment and sales within the rental car sector of the travel industry. As a mother to a Boy Scout troop committee member, proudly witnessing both sons achieve Eagle Scout status. Following the completion of raising my children, I established a hobby business as a self-employed individual, participating in vendor events until my retirement in 2020. I volunteered with the American Cancer Society, holding committee positions in both the Relay for Life and Bark for Life programs.