Mission Wolf: Atka visits Laurel Ridge
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- Details
- Category: Local Business
- Last Updated on Wednesday, 17 August 2011 20:54
- Written by Terri Garlick
By Bonnie Leavy-Mello
On August 12th, Laurel Ridge Health Care Center residents and guests had the experience of a lifetime when they welcomed Atka, an Arctic grey wolf, from the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, NY. As an ambassador for his species, Atka and his handlers educated a courtyard full of people about wolves, their natural behaviors in the wild, and the center’s conservation mission. Laurel Ridge was also on a mission to make this event happen. Although Atka was hand raised from a pup, staff prepared a welcoming environment for Atka so that residents and outside guests could be up close and personal to see this magnificent animal. Thora Perkins, Director of Recreation at Laurel Ridge, said, “We are excited to be able to offer this educational event to as part of our therapeutic recreation program. Although we frequently have dogs visit as part of our pet therapy, it was very special to have an actual wolf visit.” Atka travels to schools, museums, nature centers and libraries across the Northeast to help people learn about protecting this endangered species. The wolf center just welcomed two new pups to their ambassador program and they are on view for the public.
For more information or to support the conservation efforts, please visit www.nywolf.org. For more information about Laurel Ridge, please call 203-438-8226.
