About BFF
Mission Statement
As our logo says, "I can't do everything but I can do something." BFF of DeSoto Animal Services
supports the DeSoto Paris Animal Services through financial and
and volunteer support. Volunteers help with projects around the Shelter. Financial
support helps with transport costs, emergency vet care, low cost
spay and neuter and supports Shelter goals such as promoting responsible pet ownership,
low cost spay/neuter clinics, and low cost vaccines.
We can "do something" and with your support, help save one animal at a time.
Board of Directors
Kenny has over 40 years of experience in the financial services industry. He's been married to his wife, Amy, for 40 years and together they have 6 dogs and 1 cat.
Over the years, Kenny's passion for animals grew. He had been taking donations, he secured, to the Desoto Parish Animal Services who was in desperate need of help. The Police Jury was in the process of cutting the Animal Shelter's budget at the same time the new Director, Connie Philipp was working toward reducing the euthanasia rate; a task that would now be very difficult. Ms. Philipp approached Kenny about establishing a 501c3 nonprofit. Kenny used his years of financial experience and BFF of DeSoto Animal Services, Inc. was born.
Kenny supports an effort to secure a dedicated budget for the Animal Shelter. He would like to see the nonprofit grow so that we can help bridge the funding gap for a variety of activities and programs. Kenny is excited to be involved with the nonprofit and supporting the Animal Shelter.
Kenny Roberts, President
Over the years, Kenny’s passion for animals grew. He had been taking donations, he secured, to the DeSoto Parish Animal Shelter who was in desperate need of help. The Police Jury was in the process of cutting the Animal Shelter’s budget and the new Director, Connie Philipp, wanted to find a way to reduce the euthanasia rate; a task that would be difficult with budget cuts. Ms. Philipp approached Kenny about her goal and Kenny was on board. He had already been thinking about establishing a 501c3 nonprofit to support the Animal Shelter, so the timing was perfect. Kenny used his years of experience in the financial services industry to begin the process and BFF of DeSoto Animal Services, Inc. was born. Kenny supports an effort to secure a dedicated budget for the Animal Shelter. He would like to see the nonprofit grow so that we can help to bridge funding gaps and fund needed things like a quarantine building, an educational program to share the benefits of spaying and neutering pets, establishing a low cost spay and neuter clinic, and promoting the importance of fostering animals in need. Kenny would also like to grow a citizen base that not only understands the importance of the Animal Shelter but is also excited about being involved with and supporting the Animal Shelter.
Bianca came to the United Stated from Germany where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. Bianca worked for 15 years for one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. She was responsible for budgets of over 18 million dollars.
Bianca came to the United States in 2012 and made her home in Huntsville, Alabama. This is where she learned about kill shelters and felt a strong need to help save the animals. Bianca took in her first rescue from Anniston, AL. His name was Willie and he's the catalyst for Bianca's Rescue work.
Bianca works hard to develop positive relationships with Rescues across the country. Her goal is to save as many animals as possible and to educate others, through the nonprofit, about Rescue and giving the animals a second chance at a loving life.
Bianca Closhen, Vice President
She was responsible for several smaller companies and budgets of up to $18 million. Bianca arrived in the United States in 2012 and made her home in Huntsville, Alabama which, is where she learned about kill shelters. In Germany, kill shelters do not exist. Bianca felt a strong need to do something to save the animals in the kill shelters. She started
with her first rescue from Anniston, AL and Willie was the catalyst for Bianca’s work in rescuing animals. Bianca has worked hard to develop relationships with Rescues across the
country. Bianca’s goal is to save as many animals as possible and to educate folks, through the nonprofit, about rescue and providing those unwanted animals a second chance for a loving furever home.
Dan serves as the Secretary and CFO of the nonprofit, BFF of DeSoto Animal Services, Inc. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration focused on Accounting and a Master's Degree in Taxation. He's licensed to practice in California. Dan has a broad range of accounting and audit experience from a variety of positions that included working at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and CalTech.
Dan has used his experience to benefit the nonprofit, ensuring we stay in compliance with IRS and State laws.
Dan lives in East Texas with his Mother and a dog he rescued that was dumped on his road. His care and concern for the animals is what led him to the nonprofit.
Dan Melton, Secretary
Dan has a broad range of accounting and audit experience from a variety of positions that included Internal Revenue Agent, Auditor-in-Charge at NASA’s Jet Propulsion
Laboratory (JPL), and Senior Audit Manager at the California Institute of Technology (CalTech). Dan has used his work experience to benefit the nonprofit; ensuring it remains in compliance with the IRS rules and regulations. Dan conducts the day-to-day financial business of the nonprofit ensuring donations are accounted for, bills are paid and our donors are acknowledged for their generosity. Dan’s hobbies are the stock market, studying Spanish, and taking long walks with a dog he rescued as a puppy on an old, gravel, country road behind his home. Dan’s claim to fame is that two spacecraft, from JPL, are hurtling through space with his name on a gold plate; an honor shared with others. Dan is retired and lives in East Texas with his mother. His care and concern for animals is what led him to the nonprofit.
Roshelle attended the University of North Texas and began her career as a Legal Assistant to General Counsel in Nursing Home business where she worked for 10 years.
She then took on the role of Executive Assistant to the President/CEO and served as the Office Manager for 20 years at Corinthian Health Services, Inc., Corinthian Wellness Spa, LLC/Corinthian Medspa, Destiny Drip Bar. In addition to her various executive assistant and office manager duties, Roshelle manager the accounts payable for 17 accounts of all companies and managed offices within the Corinthian system.
Roshelle has been married to her husband Jerry for 23 years with two wonderful sons. She has always had a passion for animals. Her current pack consists of three Great Danes, one was a rescue and two rescued cats.
Roshelle Dillow, Treasurer
In addition to her various executive assistant and
office manager duties, Roshelle manages the accounts payable for 17 accounts of all companies and managed offices within the Corinthian system. Roshelle has been happily married to her husband, Jerry, for 23 years with two wonderful sons. Her oldest son, Michael, is a Doctor of
Veterinary Medicine specializing in Ophthalmology. Her youngest son, Tyler, studied as a CNC Machinist and has put his studies to work at API Precision Machining.
Roshelle has always had a passion for animals. Her current pack consists of three Great Danes, one of which is a rescue, and two cats, both rescues.
Barbie is the DeSoto Parish Animal Services Executive Director, a position she has held since April 2022. Barbie has committed to helping the community and has served the animals of DeSoto Parish since 2018. Barbie used her skills as a 25 year veteran, animal advocate and Registered Veterinary Technician, with her knowledge of Shelter/Rescue formalities, to continue her passionate love for animals and giving them a voice when no one will listen. She works to change the perception of what DeSoto Parish Animal Services is working to achieve within the community. Barbie's mantra "save them all until there are none left to save" fits perfectly with BFF of DeSoto Animal Services, "I can't do everything but I can do something!" The partnership between the Animal Shelter and BFF is designed to help Barbie achieve the goals she has established for the Animal Shelter and the community. BFF's fund raising efforts directly support Barbie's goals to save animals and give them a second chance.
Barbie's life is filled with love and laughter with her three precious granddaughters. She's also was able to save 5 of her own through rescue. She snuggles and cuddles with her Aussie, Labrador, Great Dane and Pit and a Cat that thinks it's a dog. They were all considered Foster failures but complete her home life beyond measure and fill her heart with so much joy!
Barbie Higginbotham, Director, DeSoto Parish Animal Services
Because of Barbie’s work ethic, she continues to strive to bridge the practices and change the perception of what DeSoto Parish Animal Services is working to achieve within the community. Barbie’s goal is to work herself out of a job. Her mantra “save them all until there are none left to save,” fits perfectly with BFF of DeSoto Animal Services, Inc., to “do
something!” The partnership between the Animal Shelter and nonprofit is designed to help Barbie achieve the goals she has established for the community and the animals within DeSoto
Parish. The nonprofit’s fundraising efforts directly support Barbies goals; to save animals and give them a second chance. Barbie’s life is truly engulfed with love and laughter with her three precious granddaughters, Charlee Kadence, 8, Cydnee Raelynn, 6, and Huntlee Laine, 1. She has also had the privilege of saving five of her own rescues that complete her household, Adelaide an Aussie, Rylee a Labrador, Stella Rose a Great Dane, Beau a Pit, and Sadie our Cat-Dog. All of the animals were considered foster failures but complete her home life beyond measure and fill her heart with so
much joy! Barbie has a happy home and has lived a wonderful, fulfilling life in her career and personal adventures thus far. Barbie has finally found the roots that keep her grounded and allows her to focus on her new goal, journey and mission of making sure every animal that enters
through the doors of the Shelter gets a second chance.
Board Members
Andi Ramaker
Facebook/Website Manager and Fundraising Coordinator