Sedona Wolf Sanctuary combines spirituality and wildlife conservation
SEDONA, AZ (AZFamily)— A sanctuary in Yavapai County is offering a unique animal and spiritual experience. The Sedona Wolf Sanctuary is the only sanctuary of its kind in the U.S. that combines spirituality with wolves.
Twenty-five years ago, a woman known as Healingwolf created a wolf sanctuary just north of Montezuma’s castle to protect the animals and sacred land used by native Americans for hundreds of years.
“She wanted to create a space and place where you can practice wolf medicine,” Cynthia Heisch said.
Three years ago, Cynthia Heisch and Xavier Douwes visited the sanctuary after moving to Sedona and had their own healing experience with the wolves.
“That’s really the moment it started for me,” Douwes said. “I had a moment with one of the wolves here, and it was very transformative.”
Since Healingwolf was aging, they learned from her and are now the CEO’s of the Sedona Wolf Sanctuary.
“We are the only spiritually infused wolf sanctuary in the country and possibly the world,” Heisch said.
Some of the wolves are over 10 years old and have been rescued from across the country. But they said their lives would be a fraction of that without sanctuaries like this.
“If you were to take any of these wolves and just let them go they would die,” Douwes said. “90% of all the wolves that are born in captivity die by the age of 2.”
The sanctuary also helps visitors create their own healing experience with the wolves and the land. Heisch said their hope is that when people leave, they will have a greater appreciation for wolves and spirituality.
“Being able to see people heal, but also our wolves heal, it’s that coexistence, that synergy of it, that I think is so beautiful,” she said.
People must be 18 or older to enter. Click/tap here to learn more about how to visit.
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