Wolves are not often thought of as service animals, but Wolf Connections is changing that perception while helping troubled youth in the process.
Wolf Connection is a wolf sanctuary that provides an education and empowerment program geared towards teens who are struggling through a variety of behavioral issues. At-risk youth from all walks of life learn about nature and conservation, they’re able to work through the challenges in their lives, learn to be of service by responsibly caring for another living being, and work towards becoming the kind of person they want to be.
These children aren’t the only ones being helped at Wolf Connection. All of the wolves in the facility are rescues, many coming from inadequate homes or being pulled out of shelters, where the likely would have been euthanized.
While wolves may seem like uncanny service animals, this type of animal therapy has had staggering results. Wolf Connection reports a 70% increase in high school graduation and college enrollment and an 80% decrease in negative behaviors from the children who participate in the wolf sanctuary programs.
For more on the power of animal therapy, take a look at our video featuring the dogs who are helping veterans and prisoners heal.