6 minute read
Wolf Connection
WOLF C o n n e c t i o n
Situated on 165 beautiful acres in the mountains of the Angeles National Forest, the Wolf Connection is home to over 30 rescued wolves and wolf-dogs.
Teo Alfero is the founder of the Wolf Connection sanctuary and creator of Wolf Therapy®, a program that empowers individuals dealing with psychological and emotional pain, addiction, and trauma using the human-wolf bond.
Homeland Magazine had the chance to chat with Teo and his team about the revolutionary therapy they offer and the remarkable work this charity is doing with female Veterans. Homeland: What inspired you to begin Wolf Connection?
Teo: I embarked onto my journey with the wolves through a combination of both types of initiations – I was both prepared and ambushed. One of the most unexpected and most beautiful events, which changed the course of my life, came in the form of a wolfdog pup named Tala, which is Sioux for “wolf.” She and I met in December 2007 when she was six weeks old. I was a busy man, coaching and doing interventions for teens and their families in Los Angeles and also helping to lead Tensegrity workshops around the world. I was teaching in the Safe School Ambassadors program, a violenceprevention and anti-bullying curriculum for students at schools all across the United States. I didn’t feel like I had time to give her but she had other ideas.
She was eight weeks old when I brought her home and suddenly I was a single dad to a destructive chewing -at wolf intensity- peeing machine pup. Beautiful white and gray Tala rode in the passenger seat of the car and went with me everywhere. Everyone from the teller at the bank to the cashier at the grocery store knew her. She became a central part of my youth coaching work, and all my clients wanted to spend time with her.
Homeland: When did you open Wolf Connection?
Teo: In 2009, I was looking for a new direction to my youth coaching and empowerment program. I had been mentoring young men through outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and rock climbing and wanted a more powerful way to engage young people from all backgrounds, to get them to open up, find their own voice, and to trust and reconnect with who they are. I was also looking for a playmate for Tala. Not only did I find a partner for Tala, a handsome, year-old, gray and brown wolfdog named Wyoh, I met 16 wolves and wolfdogs. The pack had been rescued by Tia Torres, star of the TV show “Pit Bulls and Parolees,” and she was caring for them at Villalobos Rescue Center, a refuge and adoption operation, she had founded.
My heart opened fully when I met this pack. I could not leave them. I began volunteering and visiting them twice a week to brush, leash-train, walk and run with them. I was in heaven.
After three months of volunteering, I was chatting with Tia, when I said, “You know, all my life, I’ve wanted to start a wolf sanctuary”. To this day, I don’t know where that came from, starting a wolf sanctuary was never in my mind, but I was sincere, and those words felt true. I realized I would take care of these 16 wolves for the rest of their lives and Tia said, “Okay, I’ll help you.”
And she did. I was clueless. Tia helped me understand dogs and wolves and taught me the ropes of animal rescue. She offered fundraising ideas. At her suggestion, I launched the first “Full Moon Hike with Wolves.” The plan was people would come to the sanctuary during the evening, bringing food to share potluck style. We’d give a presentation followed by a hike with the animals under the moonlight.
70 people showed up for the first full moon hike. We raised our first few dollars and found the first volunteers who stepped up to help take care of the pack. I didn’t have a website, a team, a plan, or even a name, but I was never alone caring for the animals again. On Tala’s terms, Wolf Connection was born.
Teo & Tala
Teo: We provide sanctuary for wolves and wolfdogs in captivity whose lives are threatened by illegal ownership, abandonment, and abuse. Since they are illegal to own, wolves who escape or end up at a shelter are euthanized within days if unable to be rescued by a sanctuary. Some of our wolves come from fur farms that have been shut down. At Wolf Connection, we offer an enriching space for each member of our wolf pack to be seen and supported in a way that is consistent with their unique presence. In turn, the wolves have the opportunity to form trusting bonds with other wolves and humans, giving life a second chance. The Wolf
Connection is a 100% rescue organization and we hold true and steadfast to the highest integrity with respect to our programming, safety, and animal care.
Homeland: Can you talk about the programs you offer at Wolf Connection? a powerful doorway into the development of strong individuals and productive societies. The WolfConnection® Ranch in Acton, CA is where our signature Wolf Therapy® programs offer healing and recovery. We offer programs via Wolf Therapy® to at-risk youth including those in foster care and the probation system. We also work with veterans, formerly incarcerated adults, and others seeking traumainformed healing.
Homeland: You recently did a program for female Veterans. How did that evolve?
Teo: Wolf Connection participated in a program called Transforming LA, funded by Community Partners and with the Department of Mental Health. We used a portion of the funding to partner with Military and Veteran Affairs to offer a cutting edge 8 Session Resiliency Program specifically designed for Women Veterans where they learned self-regulation and resiliency strategies.
WC Team: Wolf Connection successfully integrates the teachings of the wolves with therapeutic, evidencebased practice. We believe that the deep understanding of our relationship with animals and the environment is The program was run by Dr. Amanda Beer and was incredibly powerful for the women, who used the opportunity to connect and heal. We are seeking additional funding to continue this critical work..
Teo: Wolf Heart Ranch is a sanctuary for both humans and animals that are seeking healing and hope. The new development being built will follow the wild life preserve model more than the traditional animal rescue model and will provide more space for the wolves and program participants as well as allowing us to rescue more wolves. This includes multiple runs that emulate their natural habitat ranging from 1-7 acres. The design minimizes the presence of the chain link fence and gives an open plan experience for all.
We also have plans for a state-of-the-art veterinary facility, which will provide care for our wolf pack residents on-site. This is a $1.5 million dollar project and we have raised one third.
Homeland: What is next for Wolf Connection?
Teo: Wolf Connection currently serves around 2500 individuals per year via our programs and immersive experiences at Wolf Heart Ranch. In 2022, we are launching the Wolf Connection Academy, a global platform making the magic of Wolf Therapy available far beyond the ranch, allowing us to serve over 30,000 participants in the next three years.
For more information visit:
https://wolfconnection.org
For more information about Teo Alfero visit:
