CBS Mornings: California wolf therapy helps teens learn forgiveness, acceptance and trust
Teo Alfaro, the program’s founder and CEO, says Wolf Connection’s methods are research-based and supports what Indigenous tribes have long-recognized: Humans and wolves have worked together for quite some time. Watch here…
Good Day LA: How to maintain positive mental health with the help of wolves
A unique type of therapy is taking place in Palmdale. It’s called wolf therapy and it allows these animals to interact with at risk youth and others who are dealing with mental health issues. We talked to the man who created ‘Wolf Connection’. Watch here…
Spectrum News: How wolves are helping at-risk youth reconnect with themselves
There’s nothing like going out for a hike in the Antelope Valley to see picturesque views of rocky hilltops, hearing the chirping of birds and howling of wolfdogs from Wolf Heart Ranch.
More than 33 wolfdogs were rescued and brought to the Ranch as part of Wolf Connection’s therapy program that helps at-risk youth and others like Edward Amaya learn how to be in tune with their own emotions. Continue reading…
NPR: Abused Wolves And Troubled Teens Find Solace In Each Other
A strong gust of wind is answered by a chorus of wolf howls in Southern California’s high desert.
Wearing hoodies and well-worn sneakers, city kids make their way up a mountain. Navigating the high desert terrain can be a challenge for some, and a few lag behind. Leading the way is a wolf named Malo. Continue reading…
Alliance Charter Middle School’s Wolf Connection Song: ‘I Am’
The children learned song-writing, performing and recording at their Wolf Connection® Youth Empowerment Program Spring 2016 with none other than Bibi McGill, lead guitarist and musical director for Beyonce, and singer/songwriter, Stephanie Carcache – among other skills like carpentry, spoken word, movie writing and directing, animal husbandry, and outdoor adventure.
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…
Forbes: Los Angeles’ Wolf Connection Offers A Special Haven For Wolves And Animal Lovers
For a major city, Los Angeles offers a wide array of opportunities to bond with nature. And this being L.A. many of these chances come with a unique twist. One of the most special and magical is at Wolf Connection (https://wolfconnection.org/), a wolf/dog sanctuary in Acton, about an hour north of Los Angeles. Continue reading…
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….
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…
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…
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
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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May 2019 Newsletter May 13,2019
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2017 Impact Summary March 12,2018 -
Thank You to our Water for Fire Heroes!!! December 7,2016
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Wolfee is the new featured animal in The Dodo! September 20,2016
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March 2016 Newsletter March 5,2016
