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The Misunderstood Wolf Meets the Misunderstood Addict

[YT video="mR7ztbpwROM" title="Wolf Therapy" description="Promises has partnered with Wolf Connection, an nonprofit wolf and wolf dog rescue organization, to bring the young adults from West Los Angeles an amazing experiential therapy."] From an early age, starting with Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs, we’re taught that wolves are to be feared. They are depicted as ferocious, blood-thirsty creatures that hunt humans and kill for sport. We’re also sold a story about drug addicts. They’re weak, they’re immoral and they certainly don’t deserve a second chance. In both cases, the realities are markedly different than these generally espoused beliefs. Wolves by nature are shy, intelligent, sensitive and fearful of humans. There are virtually no reports on record that suggest wolves have ever been a threat to people. As we have learned from decades of scientific research, addicts are not irrevocably flawed human beings. They are suffering from a chronic illness that impairs the structure and functioning of the brain – an illness that is treatable. When these two outcasts – wolf and man – meet through an innovative type of therapy, all of the misunderstandings are washed away by a profound and deeply therapeutic bond.

The Consequences of Misinformation

The result of the stigma against addicts has not been fewer people becoming addicted but rather fewer people seeking treatment. Those that are fortunate enough to receive treatment have major obstacles to overcome both in terms of their self-esteem and re-earning the trust and respect of others. Misconceptions about wolves led to their near extinction throughout most of the United States in the 1920s. As European settlers depleted wolves’ natural food supply – elk, deer, moose and bison – and wolves began feeding on livestock, the campaign to eradicate wolves began. It wasn’t until the late 1960s, when scientists began to understand the broad implications of decimating a top predator, that wolves gained any form federal protection and were gradually reintroduced in the wild. In all of its complexity, nature is perfectly balanced – and, as we continue to learn, wolves and other top predators play an important role in maintaining that balance. Without wolves, elk, coyote and other prey populations have exploded (each causing its own set of problems). In areas where wolves have been exterminated and later reintroduced, such as Yellowstone National Park, unexpected benefits have ensued. Native vegetation has returned, supplying food to other animals such as beavers, who in turn build dams that provide homes for other creatures and keep the rivers clean. The effects trickle down not only to every area of the immediate ecosystem but also to the climate and other forces that create the platform for human life.

A Love-Hate Relationship

Decades later, it seems we still haven’t learned our lesson. Mixing fear and fascination, some people have sought out wolves as pets. Too wild for modern living (not to mention illegal to own), people bred “wolfdogs,” a mixture of pure wolves and domesticated dogs, most commonly Siberian huskies, Alaskan malamutes or German shepherds. Some wolfdogs are “high content,” meaning they have a lot of wolf in their genes whereas others are “low content,” meaning they have a small amount of wolf. Even when bred with a dog, these animals retain much of their wildness. Wolfdogs have special needs, including complex diets, large outdoor pens, and a high degree of socialization and stimulation. When stressed or bored, wolfdogs can become destructive. Expecting a dog but getting a wolf, some wolfdog owners end up tying the animal to a tree with no socialization or training or dumping it on the side of the road. As a result, an estimated 80 percent of wolfdogs are either euthanized or end up in rescue centers.

Rescued Wolfdogs Help Addicts Recover

The lucky ones end up at Wolf Connection, a wolfdog rescue and youth empowerment program outside of Los Angeles, where the staff spends months working with the animals, gaining their trust, and training them to be around other wolfdogs and people. They eat specially tailored diets, exercise regularly and become members of a wolfdog pack. They also serve a therapeutic purpose for children, teens and young adults struggling with a wide range of physical and mental health challenges, including addiction. Wolves were man’s earliest teacher, and there is a great deal recovering addicts can learn from wolves today. Their interactions help repair many of the deficits caused by addiction, including empathy, learning, self-esteem and impulse control. As strong communicators with a language of their own, wolves can teach humans about respect, forgiveness, and setting and respecting boundaries. By assisting with their care, recovering addicts experience the rewards of giving back – an integral part of lifelong recovery. “What’s so incredible about these animals is how they can completely change your world in seconds and make a difference that lasts a lifetime,” says Wolf Connection volunteer Renee Dutcher. “They are so powerful and so gentle and caring. When they work with teens and young adults who feel lost, unloved or like they aren’t worth anything, these animals will go right up to them and let them know they’re just as important as anyone else.” The wolfdogs are particularly skilled at breaking down defenses and opening people up to their own healing process. “Researchers suggest that after so many generations of co-evolution, our connection with wolves is at the DNA level, meaning when you see one of these animals you have a natural instinct to connect and to nurture and to bond,” explains Teo Alfero, founder of Wolf Connection. “This takes all of the clients we’ve worked with immediately to a primal level beneath all of the abuse, neglect or negative learned behavior. At this primal level there’s a natural openness to connect with these animals and to consider a new way of being.” Without uttering a word, there is a common understanding between wolfdogs and recovering addicts. Drawn to one another by a bond thousands of years in the making, these rescued wolfdogs are paying it forward and helping recovering addicts recognize that they, too, have been given a second chance.

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