Staff and Volunteers

Renee Alfero – Lead of Animal Behavior

As Lead of Animal Behavior, Renee oversees the socialization of the rescued wolfdogs and general caretaking training for volunteers. She collaborates with the Co-Leads of Pack Services to ensure that volunteers and staff are following safety procedures and are consistent with animal and human interactions. Renee also works with the Programs Team by facilitating the animal/human connection to maximize Wolf Connection’s® programming. Renee’s natural talent for understanding animal behavior began early in childhood with horse training along with managing the family’s several canines, cultivating her innate knowing. This intrinsic skill granted Renee acceptance to Moorpark College’s Exotic Animal Training and Management program with continued hands-on medical experience as a veterinary technician. Near the completion of her studies at Moorpark, she met Teo Alfero and the initial pack of wolfdogs that changed her life. Renee is an integral member of Wolf Connection’s® Leadership Team, whose knowledge and presence leads the Pack Services Department with great strength now and into the future.

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.

John Calfa – Podcast Host, Tour Host, 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 – Podcast Producer, Photographer/Videographer

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.

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.

Harvey Price – Associate Volunteer

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!

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