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's many 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.