'We consider the wolf the healer of the human heart,' said Teo Alfaro, founder and CEO of Wolf Connection.
Edward Amaya says he felt as if he had gained a superpower following his time spent with wolves and wolf-dogs at Wolf Connection, a California-based wild animal sanctuary.
After joining a medicine wheel, which is a sacred space where it's believed the body and spirit come together for healing, at the program, he said he began to cry. The program is led by trained staff who lead exercises to help young people learn life lessons about forgiveness, acceptance, confidence and trust. In one activity, teenagers choose a rock to embody their inner turmoil and lug it up a mountain before throwing the rock off of the mountain's edge and symbolically releasing their pain.
Gomez, who now also works with Wolf Connection, says she felt neglected as a child and battles anxiety and depression. But one of the sanctuary's wolves who has three legs has especially inspired her to continue on.