The New York Times: Whitney Cummings: The First Time I Hung Out with Wolves
Last year my dad died. I’m not sure how I scored in terms of my weird grieving process, but let’s just say it included a lot of yelling at inanimate objects and Googling videos of baby elephants. I couldn’t remember to eat or sleep, but for some reason, I could remember that my friend Paul Scheer once told me about a wolf sanctuary he’d been to. I had instantly said I’d go, but in the kind of self-deluded way you agree to do a cleanse or sign up for a spartan race. My dad’s death made me realize that in terms of work, a lot of the heavy load I was taking on came with a subconscious intent to get his attention, so when he died, my need to be productive also died a little, too. Suddenly, nothing mattered, and my schedule opened up. Continue reading…
Los Angeles Times: Walking with Wolves in Angeles National Forest
Clare wouldn’t make eye contact. The 12-year-old from Wisconsin, on vacation with her mother, Shannon, wouldn’t speak when asked a question. She buried her face in her mom’s blouse, terrified. I recoiled in embarrassment, as if I’d done something wrong. But two hours later, something unexpected and wonderful emerged. A smile. A brilliant, beaming smile. Bubbling with joy and confidence, Clare looked directly at me and talked. Right before my eyes, she went from dark to light. What happened? Continue reading…
Forbes: Airbnb Invites Wolf Connection to Host Their Los Angeles Experience
Airbnb is betting big on their Experiences. And it makes sense – travelers want that experience that takes them deeper into a destination. Gives them a taste of a city that’s totally unique, totally tailored to them. Like to hike? How about hiking with wolves? Los Angeles is one of the first cities to roll out these experiences and Wolf Connection is a pioneer partner! Continue reading…
KTLA 5 News: Wolf Connection Pairs Threatened Species With At-Risk Teens
Christina Pascucci, reporting for the KTLA 5 News at 10 on May 16, 2017, visited Wolf Connection, to explore how saving the threatened species lends a helping hand to at-risk local youth. Continue watching…
Reading Rainbow: LeVar Burton Visits Wolf Connection
LeVar Burton and the Reading Rainbow crew visited Wolf Connection to learn more about the co-evolution of humans and wolves. Sharing the lessons the wolves can teach with their young, thoughtful audience who will become the Earth’s stewards. Continue Watching….
Puppy Given Away for Free Wasn’t What He Seemed
“Free puppy,” the sign said on the house in Tuscon, Arizona. A young man noticed the sign and knocked on the door. When he saw the puppy’s big amber eyes and alert ears, he fell in love — he knew the puppy was coming home with him. What the owner didn’t realize was that Neo wasn’t exactly a dog — he was what you’d consider a “high content” wolf dog. Ultimately, the owner agreed that Neo should go to Wolf Connection. “I told him I was proud of his decision,” CEO of the Arizona Humane Society, Maureen O’Nell said. “His boy had a wonderful life ahead of him at Wolf Connection.” Continue Reading….
Wolfdogs Spent Years Chained Up Before Someone Came to Save Them
The wolf dog brothers saw each other every day, but they’d never been able to touch. The brothers — Chance and Koda — were less than 2 years old, and they’d spent their entire lives tethered to posts at the roadside zoo. When the temperature dropped, the heavy chains froze into the animals’ fur. If the wolves walked in the opposite direction to the chain, the metal would rip fur from their necks. Thanks to the Alaska SPCA, the rescue operation began — kennels were lined up, bolt cutters came out and, one by one, the wolves and wolf dogs were freed. The group contacted Wolf Connection and asked if the facility could take the wolf dogs. Continue Reading….
Why Keeping Them as Pets Doesn’t Always Work
Ben Hull never intended on getting a wolf dog — he actually wanted a husky. But when he saw an advertisement in a local newspaper for wolf dog puppies, he got curious, so he went to the breeder’s house to check them out. As Hull stood at the breeder’s front door, a black wolf dog puppy broke out of his kennel, ran through the house and leapt into Hull’s arms. This rambunctious puppy wriggled his way into Hull’s heart, and he went home with him that day. Hull describes that decision as the best, and also the worst, thing he ever did. Wolf Connection was contacted to take Shade. This turned out being the best solution for everyone. Continue Reading….
Topanga Messenger: Merging Wolf Heart and Human Heart
Nestled in the mountains of Acton California, a space of peace, power and magic exists. One might think that it is the magic of the mountains, the spirit of nature, but there is something more to this place and the feeling is palpable. The space is called Wolf Connection, a youth empowerment program and wolfdog rescue center and sanctuary. Continue Reading…
The Dodo: Wolfdog Being Sold For Drugs Can’t Stop Staring Into His Rescuers’ Eyes
They were selling the wolf dog for drugs. Meth to be exact. They’d get at least a thousand dollars’ worth — maybe more — for the sale of the wolf dog. When police caught wind of the drug deal, undercover agents visited the property where the wolf dog was being kept. Posing as meth buyers, the agents intercepted the exchange and confiscated the wolf dog, who’d been named Wolfee by his owners. Wolfee might have been saved from the drug deal, but he was potentially in more danger now. Wolf dogs are illegal in the Los Angeles area of California, and only certified wolf rescues can take them in, which limited Wolfee’s rescue options. He couldn’t be placed in a private home, and if sent to a shelter, he’d be euthanized within 72 hours. Enter Wolf Connection… Continue Reading…
Destinations Magazine: Making the Connection
I stand outside the fence and take a few deep breaths, trying to remember everything I have been told to prepare myself for what I am about to encounter. Once I enter, I must drop down low to the ground on one knee, palms facing upwards, breathing slowly and steadily, and remaining calm. Then I wait. If they feel my energy settle, they will approach and brush against my hands. Only then am I allowed to touch them. But one thing is clear: they come to me, I do not go to them. After all, though they may appear to resemble the friendly canines with which we routinely cohabit, these are not dogs. These are wolves. Continue Reading…
Purdue University Libraries: Using Howls to Empower: An Interview with Giulia Cappelli
Description: When envisioning wolves, the first image that comes to most of people’s minds is one of a large pack perched on a hillside, howling at the moon, or one of a determined, agile creature galloping through the forest in pursuit of his prey. However, Giulia Cappelli, Lead of Programs and Human Services at Wolf Connection, and her colleagues see a whole other purpose for wolves as ambassadors for their youth education and empowerment programs … Continue Reading
Sober Recovery: Through the Eyes of the Wolf: Recovery with Wolf Connection
Recovery isn’t so much about self-improvement as it is about self-acceptance. Accepting the poor choices one has previously made in addiction, the consequences of one’s actions and the new journey that lies ahead. This profound realization, however, doesn’t always come on its own. The process first requires truly connecting to oneself, which can be a difficult thing to do in today’s busy world.
One place that remains relatively unaffected by the noise of modern culture is nature. With no pretense or expectations in the wild, things simply exist and run its course. Wolf Connection, a program that rehabilitates wolves that in turn rehabilitate people, knowingly taps into this primal healing power and uses it to minister to those who need it most… Continue Reading
The New York Times: Tapping Your Inner Wolf
Men often face pressure to measure up as alpha males, to “wolf up” as it were. Alpha male connotes the man who at every moment demonstrates that he’s in total control in the home, and who away from home can become snarling and aggressive. This alpha male stereotype comes from a misunderstanding of the real thing. In fact, the male wolf is an exemplary male role model … Continue Reading
The Huffington Post: A Visit to Wolf Connection
For so long our collective view of wolves has been negative and we may think of them with fear. However, these beautiful creatures are actually very skittish, sweet, and gentle beings that are here to teach us about leadership and partnership. They serve humanity as healers, teachers and companions. In Acton, CA, about an hour from Los Angeles, there is a magical place called Wolf Connection … Continue Reading…
Fox News: Wolf Connection: Wolf Therapy
To some people having a wolf or wolf-dog hybrid as a pet is really cool. In California, without a wild animal license, it’s really illegal. When one of these wolf-dogs become abandoned state law says they are to be confiscated and euthanized… Continue Reading
The Santa Clarita Valley Signal: Every Wolf(dog) Has Its Day Here
Lobo didn’t have much of a chance at living his golden years in comfort. The 19-year-old domesticated wolf was old and had become a problem for his Tehachapi owners as he began escaping and killing a neighbor’s chickens. Over time, the lean, white wolf grew thin and malnourished. But lucky for Lobo, Wolf Connection stepped in… Continue Reading
The Hollywood Reporter: Q&A: CALLAN MCAULIFFE ON HIS MISSION TO SAVE WOLFDOGS
The 16-year-old “The Great Gatsby” actor tells THR about being the youth ambassador for the Wolf Connection animal rescue charity… Continue Reading
Teens Wanna Know: Wolf Connection with Callan McAuliffe & Jackson Rathbone
Interviews with Callan McAuliffe “I Am Number Four,” Dee Wallace “E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial,” “The Howling,” and “Cujo,” Jackson Rathbone “The Twilight Saga,” Lorenzo Lamas “Falcon Crest,” Jake Busey “Starship Troopers,” Sondra Currie “The Hangover,” Legendary stuntman Loren Janes, Saginaw Grant “The Lone Ranger,” Christopher Atkins “The Blue Lagoon,” Marisa Quinn “The Twilight Saga,” … Continue Watching
Teens Wanna Know: Wolf Connection
Wolf Connection is a remarkable charitable organization which rescues wolf/dog hybrids and uses them to rehabilitate humans suffering from addiction and emotional problems through its unique “wolf therapy.” Watch as the TWK crew meets both the volunteers who devote their time and energy to helping these amazing animals, and the wolves themselves — who end up saluting us at the end of our shoot with their beautiful howls!… Continue Watching
WetPaint: Callan McAuliffe Walks with the Wolves for Wolf Connection
Actor Callan McAuliffe walks with Los Angeles teens on a Walk with the Wolves for Wolf Connection… Continue Reading
Just Jared: Callan McAuliffe: Wolf Connection Charity Work
Callan McAuliffe gets busy helping out during his visit to the Wolf Connection animal rescue last week in Acton, Calif. The 18-year-old actor has been serving as a Youth Ambassador for the past few years. That day’s agenda included moving manure and building huts for the wolves, who are moving to a new location… Continue Reading
The Antelope Valley Press: Wolves, teens forge ‘connection’
Not long after Teo Alfero got Tala, his first wolfdog, his life changed. So, too, would the lives of other wolfdogs Alfero rescued or was called to help. More importantly, so would the lives of young men and women who would encounter the once neglected or abused animals through Wolf Connection. Click the article images to continue reading…
The Santa Clarita Gazette: Wolf Connection, Changing Lives Through the Eyes of Wolves
Most people associate wolves with the fictional “Big Bad Wolf” prevalent in folklore and fairytales. However, Teo Alfero, CEO and Founder of Wolf Connection, sees these animals through a different set of eyes. Embracing the wolf and working with the breed’s innate skill and intelligence, Alfero created a foundation with the purpose of using the animal’s deep intuition and natural balance to motivate and educate at-risk youth all over Southern California. Wolf Connection has helped more than 500 children since its inception four years ago. Click the article images to continue reading…
Santa Monica Life: Making a Wolf Connection
I’ve never been afraid of wolves. Who knew that the bronze-colored eyes that coolly observed my stiffened stance would make the hair on the back of my neck stand up? Exhilarated, yet hesitant, my mind was a swirl of questions. How did these animals get here? Are they wild? Can I pet them? Teo Alfero, founder and CEO of Wolf Connection, read my mind. Click the article images to continue reading…
The New York Times: An Age Gap Bridged by the Love of Animals
Read about Wolf Connection’s founder, Teo Alfero, and Wolf Connection’s Behavior Specialist, Renee Alfero’s, wedding at the Wolf Connection Ranch… Continue Reading
WHAT’S NEW
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2017 Impact Summary March 12,2018 -
Thank You to our Water for Fire Heroes!!! December 7,2016 -
Wolfee is the new featured animal in The Dodo! September 20,2016 -
March 2016 Newsletter March 5,2016 -
August 2015 Newsletter August 9,2015