A Sweet Mission: 9-Year-Old Raises Money for Local Animal Shelter

By Megan Schmid, staff writer

Thia Pyle has a big heart for animals and has used baking and crafts to make a difference for many pets in need. Photo contributed by Thia Pyle

Third-grader Thia Pyle of Fox Mill Elementary School is already making a difference for animals in need.

With the help of friends Clover and Lila, the young entrepreneur has spent the past few months baking cookies and making bracelets to raise money for the Fairfax County Animal Shelter. So far, she has raised nearly $500 to help the shelter care for animals. “I’m just really glad that I am able to help them,” she said.

When she is not at school or on the soccer field, Thia enjoys horseback riding and spending time with her dogs. Her family rescued a 3-year-old Labradoodle, Nola, and is currently fostering a blind puppy named Charlie. She also runs a small pet-sitting business, Caring Paws Pet Sitting, offering dog walking and in-home pet visits in Reston.

Her passion for helping animals began when she started visiting the animal shelter at age 5. “There was a dog that had been there for two years,” she recalled. “He was really old with medical issues, and I felt really bad for him.” The experience stayed with her and inspired her fundraising efforts. She believes shelter animals are often misunderstood. “Everyone should take a chance on a shelter animal,” she said. “They are often the sweetest you can get.”

The fundraiser combines two things she loves: baking and crafting with friends. One of her favorite treats to make is oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. “My mom bakes all the time,” she said. “I have learned a lot from her, but I read the recipes and do most of it by myself.”

She sells her homemade cookies and bracelets door to door in neighborhoods around Reston and hopes to expand to more communities. Although she enjoys meeting people, knocking on doors can be challenging. “It’s hard to speak to adults sometimes,” she admitted. “And sometimes people say no.”

Still, the encouragement she receives keeps her going. One neighbor especially stood out. “She kept calling me her hero,” Thia said. “She was really thankful that I was doing it and told us we were doing the right thing.”

Thia says helping animals makes every cookie baked and every door knocked on worthwhile. “Even though we are just kids, we can make a huge difference,” she said. “We should all just do what we can.”

When she grows up, she hopes to become a veterinarian and continue horseback riding. For now, she is focused on helping as many animals as she can, one batch of cookies at a time.

To request a neighborhood visit or book pet-sitting services, contact Katie Brown at kathryneganbrown@gmail.com.