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BRAZOS COUNTY, TX – Grizz is a one year old wolfhound who will make connections with veterans.
These bonds will help alleviate his shyness while also helping veterans deal with some of the traumatic events they experienced while on duty.
About three dozen wolfhounds roam the Twin Rivers Wolf and Wolf Dog Sanctuary in Grimes County.
“They are not for everyone, but they are wonderful animals and a lot can be done with them if you take the time,” said Catherine Howell, founder of the Twin Rivers Wolf and Wolf Dog Sanctuary.
Catherine Howell, the founder of Twin Rivers Wolf and Wolf Dog Sanctuary, is a military woman who has had wolfhounds for more than two decades.
She’s seen firsthand how it helped her husband deal with it.
Now she is taking her charitable sanctuary to the next level by adding programs to help other suffering veterans.
“I care about people who are injured,” Howell said.
Howell partners with Drew Robertson, who combined the world of wolfhounds and veteran psychotherapy in Colorado with his nonprofit Mattersville.
“What we’re doing for them is more peer-to-peer than traditional therapy. It’s pack healing with other trauma veterans and animals and they all come back and bring each other back together,” Drew Robertson, Executive Director, Mattersville said.
The two wolfhound lovers met when Robertson added Grizz’s sister to his nonprofit. The two eventually became friends and decided to work together.
“She is very passionate about helping people and helping veterans and animals alike,” said Robertson.
The program provides housing for the veterans who donate their time to care for the wolfhounds. They can eventually move into their own sustainable little home.
“I got to know the veterans. They came down and started building. These are wonderful people who are just trying to make it through in life like all of us, ”Howell said.
So the veterans can heal themselves and at the same time calm their four-legged friends.
Not only do they need help, I need help on the property too, and I think we could be a good team that works for the animals and for them to make it all fit together, “Howell said.
While the residential program is reserved for veterans only, anyone can tour the sanctuary to get an idea of the mental health therapy by visiting these special animals for free. The non-profit organizations depend on donations.
Twin Rivers plans to start its program by the end of summer.
The sanctuary is also focused on educating more people about wolfhounds.
You can visit their Facebook or website for more information.
