In regards to the human pack, more and more people kept showing up with open hearts and time and resources. Today, I am blessed to have the most amazing team of people one can wish for. I could never carry on this mission without them:

 

 

Renee Dutcher
When I met Teo, I was blessed with the opportunity to work one-on-one with wolves and wolfdogs. We met by coincidence when he came to have lunch at a local joint with some of the members of the Wolf Connection pack. What I like about Wolf Connection the most is the opportunity to connect with people through the wolves and through nature, being able to have the outreach to educate the public and educate kids, some of them my age … that’s my love, my dream. I’m planning to be a part of Wolf Connection for a long time and I hope to be able to offer to the program all the things I’m learning at the Exotic Animal Training and Management Program at Moorpark College. I want to help it grow. In terms of my relationship with Maya, I never thought that I would develop such a strong bond with such a magnificent animal like her. I’ve always been independent and self sufficient, but here you really learn to trust other people and work as part of a team like the wolves that work together as a pack. Also, not to sweat the small things, and to enjoy the little simple things in life ... the sound of the breeze through plants, the hawks soaring in the sky, the simplicity of being in the moment surrounded by friends, just like the wolves do.

 

 

Chelsea Scheafer
I got my first felony charge when I was 15 years old. When I wasn't in Juvie, I was traveling by freight train across the U.S. I finally got my act together just before I turned 18 and was able to get my juvenile record expunged. However, two months into adulthood, I got locked up again. After that, it became nearly impossible to find a job, so I continued with my partying and bad habits. Then I met Teo and Wolf Connection and I soon became part of the team. Working with Teo and those amazing animals has steered me away from the party scene, and pretty much given me a second chance in life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jackie Palmer
I started volunteering with Wolf Connection for two reasons: to get out of the house and to learn more about wolves and wolfdogs. I never expected to fall head over heels in love with such an awesome pack of humans and animals. I cannot begin to explain what is so infectious about this organization. Is it the way 19 year old Lobo thinks he's a young wolf and tries to do all of the things he used to do? Or, is it the amazing eyes and personality of Lucas, the Timber Wolf? Maybe it's the energy that comes from the human pack. The 18 year old girl who has the ability to lift anyone's spirit, the fearless leader who greets everyone with a hug and a smile, or maybe it is the volunteers’ excitement over spending time with the animals. The diversity of the pack is amazing. People of all ages, backgrounds, and different walks of life coming together as one, sharing their love for the animals. Walking through the gate instantly recharges me. All the stresses of life melt away with the first kisses from Zimba and Rocky. I make sure to stop at every kennel, talk to and scratch every animal, and, in return, I am honored with multiple kisses from them. The eye-to-eye contact with a wolf and wolfdog is something truly special, a truly magical experience that I am lucky enough to encounter frequently.

 

 

Denise McCaughan
I started visiting Wolf Connection in April 2010 and I love it! Before that, I tried lots of activities, but none of them worked for me. By going to Wolf Connection, I look forward to doing something fun and caring for the animals at the end of the week. I made some new friends and now I am actually getting some exercise. I have a special connection with two beautiful and loveable wolfdogs, Chaos and Elan. With Chaos, I fell in love with his bark and he always surprises me with all that energy in him. I was taking him for a walk and he wasn’t having that, so he took me for a run. With Elan, as soon as we rescued him and I went into his cage for the first time, he immediately jumped on me. Back then, he didn’t have a name. So Nina and I agreed to call him Elan (Native American for friendly). It always makes me feel better knowing that at the end of day I helped improve an innocent animal’s life! And hope to do so for the rest of my life!

 

 

Natasha Dulgushkin
Two years ago I realized I wasn't living the life I wanted and chose to really change that. Having always had a profound connection to animals and previously working with exotics, this was a component that I deeply missed. Finding Wolf Connection was the perfect fit because I had developed a love for wolves over the years and really wanted to connect to them. Building relationships with the pack (human and four-legged) has become one of the highlights of my life. When we do events, the light that shows in visitors' faces is well worth all of the effort. Seeing the growth of many of our teen members as they find ways to contribute and learn their own worth is also a profound joy. This also gave me the motivation to become a much healthier person, and that makes everything in my life easier, better and more joyful. Being with our beautiful wolves and wolfdogs every week and feeling that I am able to make their lives better is an absolutely amazing experience and exactly what I wanted. I’m so thankful for being part of the pack!

 

 

Sandie Allaway
I became involved with Wolf Connection quite by accident. I had seen an article in our local newspaper about a local restaurant that was having a wolf rescue appearance with animals with which we could take a picture. There, I met Teo, some of the staff, and some of the wolfdogs; the rest is history as they say. I can't get enough of being around these magnificent animals. Since I am now working full-time, it has become more difficult to spend the time I would like, but I savor every single minute I am able to be with them and do whatever is necessary for the program. It fills my soul!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Drew Smith
Last fall I got a call from Renee asking my girlfriend and I if we wanted to go for a hike with wolves. Of course we said yes! … it was an instant match. I love working with the wolves and wolfdogs and enjoy getting them to interact appropriately with each other. I also love building their new enclosures and making the care for the animals as easy and seamless as possible so that they can have more time with their trainers and handlers. I hope to continue to be there for them as long as possible!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Madison Brandon
I learned of Wolf Connection when my mother brought home a flyer for an event. I insisted we go, and I only had one question for the team members when I met them: "How do I volunteer?". Within a month's time, I was dying to finish school, not so I could have a summer of sleep and drool, but so I could spend as much time as possible with the pack. I have never loved or respected a group of people so much; the safe, friendly atmosphere is one of Wolf Connection'smany fine qualities. The love and respect of the fellow volunteers, staff members, and especially the wolves and wolfdogs is the best reward I have ever received for hard work. I love each and every human and animal here, and I dread the coming of September when I must move away to school, but I know that I will always have a place in this amazing pack of people and animals.

 

 

Paula Ficara and Steve Wastell
We have always had a strong love of wolves and have talked many times of how we would like the opportunity to someday work with them. Earlier this year, I was chatting with a customer of mine when he said, "You know what you would love? Wolf Connection!" I'm not sure what inspired him to tell me about it, but I excitedly got the information. That night we jumped online to see how we could participate. Later that week, we visited some good friends whom I was eager to tell about the organization. As I was opening my mouth, one of them said, "Have you heard about Wolf Connection?" I just stared at him for a moment and knew it was meant to be. One of the things we especially love about the organization is the outreach program for troubled youth. It's a wonderfully unique and successful way of helping kids find themselves and connect to the beauty of the world around them.