In the shadowy wilderness, wolves emerge as enigmatic and often misunderstood creatures, captivating the human imagination with their mysterious presence. Far removed from the sinister portrayals that have permeated folklore and popular culture, these majestic beings embody a complex tapestry of intelligence, family bonds and ecological significance. When it comes to wolves and humans, a connection goes beyond surface distinctions to unveil a profound number of shared characteristics.
Nearly 15 years ago, Wolf Connection began as a rescue organization for wolf dogs and wolves rescued from fur farms, backyard breeders, sideshow attractions and areas where they can’t live domestically. While there is a network of wolf and wolf-dog sanctuaries across the US, Wolf Connection is the only place with wolf therapy.
“We’ve coined [wolf therapy], we have been working at it basically from the inception. What we’ve done is expand the guidelines, expand the principles, expand the lessons to incorporate more into these programs, more into these tours, more into the immersive experience to expand what it really means to connect with an animal like this,” said John Calfa, content manager and podcast host at Wolf Connection.
Utilizing the current 37 wolf dogs on their property, Wolf Connection has programs for youth, veterans and corporations.
“We’re a people empowerment organization, so it really started with understanding that wolves and people have evolved together, and we’re trying to bring that back to anyone who comes on the property on-site at the sanctuary,” said Calfa. “The wolves’ stories and the wolves really open the floodgates for them to be themselves.”
Wolf Connection provides a way for people to express themselves in ways that maybe they can’t do at home, school or work.
“Wolves give 150 percent. Wolves, they can’t lead before they understand how to follow, they leave the past and make room for new things. A lot of these principles [visitors] can bring back in their life and say, ‘Whatever this thing happened in my past, well, that doesn’t define who I am’,” said Calfa.
“They really are able to reflect back to the wolves and in turn, help the wolves and wolf-dogs understand that people are okay, because a lot of them have come from traumatic experiences. So, they're actually helping the wolves out as the wolves are helping them. It's really a reciprocating relationship."
Everyone needs to eat, including the wolves. When Wolf Connection reached out to our Cambro Cares organization because they needed help with food safe containers to hold the wolves’ food, we were intrigued and fascinated by their mission.
“The containers are great. Everything is matched perfectly and as we’re doubling our pack size, we need something that’s reliable, something that is not going to get chewed up, something that’s going to be good for us and for the wolves, because we know that it’s safe, secure. We know we can rely on it,” said Calfa.
The wolves are fed a zoo-grade meat with nutrients and ground up chicken with bone in the morning and a zoo-grade kibble at night.
“[Cambro is] allowing us to have the safety, the security to know that our food is never going to spoil. Our food is going to be safe and secure from critters that are around here. That’s a huge help for us,” said Calfa.
Sitting on 165 acres of property, Wolf Connection is in the process of constructing their second den, which will allow their pack size and programs to double.
Click here to nominate your organization for our Cambro Cares program.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: ADRIANA DESIDERIO IS THE DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER AT CAMBRO.
