Staff and Volunteers

Annette Golden – Operations Coordinator

I was casually looking for volunteer work to replace the Hospice work I left behind when I moved to Los Angeles from Chicago. I never anticipated my journey would lead me to Wolf Connection. While reading an article in the LA Times about the Organization and it’s work with at-risk populations, I felt an immediate visceral recognition that spurred me to action. Without knowing what lay before me I felt absolutely certain that this was the direction I needed to take.

I immediately fell in love with everything this amazing place is, does and represents. To witness the healing, transformation and growth of the animals, guests and team members are miracles I treasure always. The physical activity of a working ranch in the gorgeous setting of the high desert is amazingly rewarding too. When I come home I night I gush that I am “Happy Tired”. What a gift!

I feel tremendous humility and gratitude to be a part of Wolf Connection and its Mission to provide sanctuary to the wolf-dogs and to empower future ambassadors for our planet.

Claralynn Schnell – Executive Assistant

Claralynn is a native of the Pacific Northwest and has a love for nature, animals and kids. Wolf Connection has allowed her to merge her talents and dive into the greater good. Claralynn served for 5.5 years in the US Army and uses that loyalty, dedication and determination at Wolf Connection. Claralynn is mom to two handsome little boys, Logan and Kolten. Between her love of being a mom and wanting the world to be a better place for her children to grow up, Claralynn has embraced everything that Wolf Connection stands for.

Leo Leckie – Lead of Education

Prior to joining the family here at Wolf Connection®, I lived among the wild wolves of Yellowstone
National Park for ten years as a wolf guide and wolf historian. It was there that I observed and learned
about the intricacies of wolf behavior and family/pack dynamics, and the many amazing stories that
wolves have to tell; stories that I still share in person and in print today.
It was in Yellowstone that I also met Teo and Renee Alfero for the first time. They had come to speak to
our Winter 2018 Retreat’s clients about Wolf Connection® and Wolf Therapy®, and I was immediately
impressed and impacted by their compassion for and knowledge about wolves. I remember saying to
myself at the time, “I really need to make it to Wolf Heart Ranch someday to see this amazing place for
myself.”
Little did I know that, only months later, I would find myself in Los Angeles and headed to the Wolf Heart
Ranch for a personal tour by Teo and Renee. During my February 2019 tour, I learned more about the
life-changing Wolf Therapy® practices and programs that connect humans and wolves … and I was
hooked!
Flash forward a few more months, and the stars aligned and the universe opened doors in such a way
that I was now living in Los Angeles. I soon sought out ways to join the dynamic Wolf Connection® team
and, like one of the 12 Wolf Principles, lend my individual talents to the benefit of this incredible pack.
And today as Lead of Program Education I am blessed to call Wolf Connection® home, and to be a part
of something meaningful and empowering for humans and wolves alike.

Michelle Lima – Pack Health Assistant

Growing up in NJ I followed my curiosity through the mountains and lakes, through the zoos and shelters and to Central and South America. I graduated from UD with degrees in Animal Science and Wildlife Conservation in 2006. After that, while working in a 24 hr emergency animal hospital, I obtained my veterinary technician license. Still, I felt passionate about being a part of something worldly impactful. My heart drove me to California in 2013 where I was fortunate to learn wildlife rehabilitation and join another emergency animal hospital. As serendipity would have it, a friend introduced me to the Wolf Heart Ranch. Immediately the mission inspired me and the wolves soon became my teachers.

Now as Animal Health Coordinator in our Pack Services Department I help implement preventive care, appropriate diets, and enriching activity. Caring for these charismatic animals is my way of giving back to nature and providing a safe place for our youth. Each day as part of the Pack has been an opportunity to embrace my wild spirit.

Laurie Cousins – Program Lead

Laurie is a mindfulness-based teacher, integrative somatic practitioner, and trauma-informed nonviolent parent educator. She is on the clinical team at Hope Integrative Psychiatry in Sherman Oaks and where she has a private practice. At the Wolf Connection, Laurie collaborates and facilitates in various human empowerment programming that offers deep integration and healing, and has the honor of volunteering on the pack care team. She draws from different wisdom traditions, healing modalities, personal life experience and the inspiration of her two children to guide her in helping youth, adults and families overcome adversity, heal, and embrace their innate resiliency

Micha Thomas – Program Lead

Micha is a pre-licensed therapist, certified coach, creative director, and founder of international organization weREWILD, a research-based psychological, anthropological, and story-centered resource, emphasizing therapeutic engagement with the natural world. Micha holds a masters degree in counseling psychology, with an emphasis on depth psychology, from Pacifica Graduate University, and is working towards her MFT licensure. Micha pulls from her years of leading teams within the entertainment industry and non-profit sector as well as personal experiences to lovingly collaborate with the human program team and wolves at Wolf Connection as well as the participants.

Dustin Fleischmann – Event Coordinator

Bio coming soon …

Jennifer Thompson – Wolf Connection Host

My animal rescue work in Los Angeles, spanning over 15 years, included meeting a dear soul (and rescued wolfdog) named Arrow. After personally knowing a wolfdog and learning about the fate of most wolfdogs in the United States, I was led to the gates of Wolf Connection. Each wolfdog has so much to teach our guests and our volunteers. There is a sacred space that only animals (especially the wolf) can find within humans. I am honored to experience and witness this life changing exchange. When not at Wolf Connection®, I spend my time working with organizations around the globe, helping them to reach their goals through their most valuable asset- their people. I am thrilled that I get to take the lessons of our pack into the corporate world!

Valerie Fresh – Host, Program Assistant & Lead of Day

I first heard of Wolf Connection® after being invited by a friend to a community hike. She knew there was only one thing I love as much as I loved working with children and that was animals. Before the hike, I did my research and learned about Wolf Connection’s® mission. I became even more excited about going to this incredible place and meeting the incredible animals that helped so many youth. Wolf Connection® way exceeded my expectations and it was on my first tour that I found my first wolf dog love in Max. His eyes, his playful spirit, his beautiful howl – what’s not to love? I raised money to sponsor him and got the opportunity to meet him face to face which was simply incredible. I went on another community hike before deciding it was time for me to start volunteering. Volunteering has been such a tremendous learning experience and I am forever grateful that I decided to go on that first community hike and open myself up to the whole experience. The wolf-human bond is truly powerful and healing. I feel honored to get to be a part of this remarkable organization.

John Calfa – Host, Program Assistant & Lead of Day

I’ve been an animal lover ever since I can remember, even writing reports on them and visiting zoos whenever I could.

When I moved to California, I found the opportunity to go on a walk with wolves at Wolf Connection and it was something I couldn’t pass up. I was in awe of the animals, totally captivated by their stories and inspired by the passion of the volunteers and staff I met.

I was asked to help film Wolf Connection’s homecoming onto the Wolf Heart Ranch in 2016 and immediately became a volunteer! I’m now part of the Program and Events teams and I love every minute of it.

I’m truly grateful to be part of this organization on so many levels. It amazes me that I get to be a part of both the wolf and human pack so we can all work together to make this planet a better place.

Stephen Rivera – Program Assistant, Photographer & Lead of Day

The pack seems to call you in from any distance and always in right timing. 40 miles away I was engaged in a silent howl, launching my own rockets of desire for more depth, more expansion, more inner peace and more connection. A good friend of mine was journeying west for a temporary stay and was looking into visiting WC. I couldn’t turn down the invitation to join him. My first WC experience was a community hike at the ranch. It’s hard to know exactly what to expect from a “Wolf Sanctuary” but i was hopeful it would be a really interesting story if nothing else. It doesn’t take more than a few minutes on the property to recognize that you are in a unique and special space, one with a deep intention. At the arena Teo spoke of future plans for the ranch and ‘potential volunteer’ obligations. When he mentioned training to hike the Wolves (two of my favorite things) i raised my hand like a gitty teenager with genuine excitement and asked “When can i hike some Wolves!?”. Teo laughed and handed me a volunteer application. Little did i know it would be much more than that, it was the response to my silent howl for more connection and presence, exactly what i meant to find. Wolf Connection is a way of being, a way of learning, a way of teaching, a way of sharing, a way of expanding. It’s a sacred space that knows what we really need and calls us home to it the moment we join hands in silence as morning clouds settle over the mountains and Wolves howl each other back into balance. And for that i am forever grateful.

Chris Perry – Resident Photographer

Cutting my teeth as a professional photographer years ago, my main focus was on wild wolves and bears in Alaska and now Yellowstone. Although I photograph most everything, my passion has always been and will continue to be deep in nature. When I was asked to photograph and do some videography of the wolves at Wolf Connection, there was no hesitation as it appeared to be a natural fit.

As I grew to know and ultimately respect the team along with the animals they cared for selflessly, I was hooked. The fact Wolf Connection rehabilitates these beautiful animals and restores their footing in a place that allows them to thrive in the capacity that encourages their voice was unlike other places I have donated time to in the past.

When I began working and documenting the youth programs, I knew I was in a place that was very special and unlike any other I have seen. It’s a privilege and honor to be a part of this vision and contribute in any way I can.

Doris Glassberg – Lead of Day

After receiving an intriguing email from Wolf Creek Restaurant to come meet and take photos with some wolves I just had to go. I met Teo with his “Wolf Truck” and then met Maya, Rocky and Zimba: three stunning wolf dogs who changed my life forever. I began going on the monthly community hikes and eventually became a volunteer a few years ago. I am so honored to be a part of Wolf Connection®. It is a place where you can hear wolves howl, hear a Raven’s wings brush the air, and listen to the wind through the trees.

It is a place where you learn many things and meet people from all walks of life. You can hike by a stream, discover your wild spirit or watch the wolves just be. It is a place of challenges and of healing. I love this place.

Ana Harrison

Ana has been with Wolf Connection® since 2011. She came as a guest to a community hike and never left. Falling in love with wolves was a big surprise as she only ever had small dogs. But these wolves captured her heart and didn’t let go. The love of the wolves who have left, the wolves we have now, and the anticipation of the wolves to come keep her coming back.

Brenda Aubry

Brenda and Dave Aubry

My husband Dave and I have been wolf advocates in Alaska for years so when we arrived in Acton and heard the distant howling of a wolf-pack we knew we had to find them. After searching, we found Wolf Connection® and have been there ever since.

Not a day goes by that we don’t count our blessings for being able to work with these amazing animals, care for them and learn from them.

It is wonderful to be a part of the pack (both human and wolf!)

Harvey Price

I first heard of Wolf Connection® in the Antelope Valley Press. After reviewing the phenomenal website more than a few times and learning so much from that source in itself, I signed up for the Community Walk in June. I was extremely touched by experiencing the wolfdogs close up and hearing each of their stories and quickly realized I would like to be a part of their lives. After hearing “the group” howl that same day I believe they were telling me they agreed!

The overwhelming added bonus in volunteering is becoming a part of such a dynamic, positive, and influential organization. Wolfdogs, youth, adults, and community outreach, nature, the environment … WOW! I am amazed at the diversity of what is offered at Wolf Connection® and the warmth, kindness, and caring so apparent. To be part of the “good things in life” gladdens my heart indeed.

A past docent at the Los Angeles Zoo I was honored to be in the position to teach about, and in some cases, introduce others to the animal kingdom. I enjoyed my time there and look forward to that feeling and experience again this time for the wolfdogs!

I am very appreciative to Wolf Connection® for allowing me the opportunity “to give and to receive” and to learn from the staff, volunteers, and the wonderful wolfdogs!

Kylie Taylor

I have been an animal lover since day one and have always been itching to volunteer somewhere that I could interact with and help animals. Growing up, I would study various dog breed books and watch Balto on repeat. It wasn’t until I was in college, however, that I heard about Wolf Connection® and attended their spooky Halloween community hike. As we were telling scary stories among a campfire, the wolves joined together in a powerful howl. I was hooked, to say the least. The Wolf Connection® mission spoke to me as an organization built on the mutualistic relationship between wolf and human. Once I met more members of the pack, animal and human, I knew I was home.

Matt Thomas

The way I stumbled upon Wolf Connection® was timed so perfectly it had to be some sort of kismet. Having recently decided upon a career as a veterinarian and embarking on my educational journey, a friend asked if I would like to accompany her to a wolf/wolfdog rescue. After visiting the compound, I felt like I had just been “home”. It wasn’t a place or home I had been to before; nevertheless, the scenery, wolves and people all had the markings and feeling of it. The experiences I have had at Wolf Connection® are unparalleled to anything in my life before, including meeting my best friend Neo (wolfdog) at the ranch! I have grown in areas I had previously believed were lifeless, I have watched others grow (both two, three and four legged), and I get to serve in something greater than myself. I am grateful every day for my time at Wolf Connection® and I hope that I can continue my own education and to educate people about wolves and wolfdogs wherever I go.

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