Frequently Asked Questions
We often get a lot of questions about what we do and why we do it; we hope that this F.A.Q. will help answer some of the questions you have. If you have a question that you don’t see answered here, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
Educational Ambassadors:
What are Ambassador Animals?
The AZA (Association of Zoos & Aquariums) defines an Ambassador Animal as “an animal whose role includes handling and/or training by staff or volunteers for interaction with the public and in support of institutional education and conservation goals.”
Why use Ambassador Animals?
Multiple studies have been conducted that indicate the positive impacts of animal interactions in an educational setting. From commitment to engage in environmentally responsible behaviors (Fuhrman, 2007)(Swanagan, 2010), to reduction of fear of perceived scary/unpopular animals (Randler/Hummel/Prokop, 2012), Ambassador Animals leave great lasting impressions that often positively alter people’s engagement and perspective.
Are your Educational Ambassadors wolves?
We use high-content, or what some people consider ultra high-content, wolfdogs as Educational Ambassador Animals. These animals are raised from a very young age with their handlers/trainers with the intention of being used in our programs. We chose high-content animals because they are, from our experience, indistinguishable from their wild counterparts in terms of their behaviors, showcasing the true nature of wolves.
Emotional Support Companions:
What are Emotional Support Companions?
Emotional Support Companions are, in our case, domestic dogs that act as companions to our Educational Ambassador Animals.
Why do Educational Ambassador Animals need Emotional Support Companions?
Educational Ambassador Animals are naturally shy, aloof, and anxious. Emotional Support Companions provide stability, comfort, and relief for our Educational Ambassadors. Our companion animals, because they are so stable and highly trained, also help to relax our ambassadors enough to mimic their behavior.
Do you use a specific breed of dog for Emotional Support Companions? Why?
We have chosen to use Tibetan Mastiffs as Emotional Support Companions because their primitive nature and behaviors mimic those of wolves and high-content animals. They have similar play and communication styles, as well as similar attitudes when it comes to training, making them ideal canid companions.