Walking With Wolves at Wolf Connection with Lobos 1707

Recently I was invited by Lobos 1707 Tequila & Mezcal to walk with wolves at Wolf Connection, a unique educational sanctuary in the Acton/Palmdale area of California. Located about 90-minutes from Los Angeles, the wilderness retreat unites people with a direct relationship with rescued wolves. Not only does this empower everyone involved, but this healing experience introduces groups up close with nature.

Lobos 1707 is part of the pack. Photo Jill Weinlein

Lobos 1707 is a main partner in supporting Wolf Connections initiative in protecting these beautiful animals, and I was excited to walk with wolves.  Lobos 1707 Tequila & Mezcal prides itself on a “pack” mentality – “For the Strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the Strength of the Wolf is the Pack.” Key members of their pack include Founder and CCO Diego Osorio, an actor and documentarian, who is a descendent of the Lobos 1707 legacy, plus Chief Executive Officer, Dia Simms, and shareholder and basketball legend, Lebron James.

They united with founder and owner of Wolf Connection Teo Alfero, who believes wolves help people focus on their impulses, feelings and emotions in a constructive way. Wolves help people learn to forgive and give themselves and others a second chance.

Wolf Connection. Photo by Jill Weinlein

Teo Alfero is a transformational teacher and shamanic practitioner. His work is inspired and influenced by American author, anthropologist and shaman, Carlos Castaneda. He started with The Teachings of Don Juan, a series of books that describe his training with his shaman-teacher, don Juan Matus, who taught him everything he knew about energy, how to cultivate it within ourselves and then use it in our everyday lives. His 12 books sold more than 28 million copies in 17 languages and have become the source for helping millions of people manifest the life of their dreams, by bringing the once closely held knowledge and wisdom of the Toltec shamans to anyone who desires an extraordinary life.

The Wolf Connection. Photo by Jill Weinlein

As a TEDx speaker and one of the 100 Making A Difference, he is also a member of the Association of Transformational Leaders. Not only has he been featured in the New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times, he advocates what wolves can teach us about being human.

Walking to one of the wolf dens, I took in the beauty of over 30 wolves with fur of striking shades of white, brown, gray and black. This perfectly engineered predator moves gracefully, effortlessly, and constantly stays alert.

Wolf Connection. Photo by Jill Weinlein

Stopping at one enclosure, a white wolf paced and stopped at the gate and locked eyes on me and stared, touching my soul. There are countless myths about wolves around the world. In cultures such as the Ainu people of Japan to the Apache First Nation elders who worshipped the wolf. At Wolf Connection Teo shares the profound knowledge on how these majestic creatures restore humans bond with nature and their connection to humanity.

Wolf Connection. Photo by Jill Weinlein

As three wolves were leashed, they led the Walk with Wolves on a dirt pathway around the natural surroundings at the ranch.  About a half mile into the hike, we stopped for a chance to meet the wolves. Following orders to take a knee, we were instructed to hold our hand out and palm up for the wolf to approach. When the first wolf approached me, she sniffed my hand and walked to the next guest. As the second wolf was led on the leash to my side, he smelled my hand and then looked up to my face. Inches from my face, he looked into my eyes and held his look. A bolt on energy woke up my senses, some may call it adrenaline, others may say I received a human-wolf bond. This bond is part of Wolf Connection’s Wolf Therapy®, a singular program that empowers individuals dealing with psychological and emotional pain, addiction, and trauma using the strength of the human-wolf bond.

Lobos 1707 Tequila and Mezcal. Photo Jill Weinlein