LEXINGTON, Ky.  This week the University of Kentucky College of Communication and Information had the opportunity to welcome Wolf Run Wildlife Refuge to campus. The School of Library and Information Science’s Division of Instructional Communication and Research (ICR) hosted representatives from the refuge. Two wolf dog ambassadors, Jericho and Nayeli, visited two composition and communication (CIS) 112 classes Monday, Nov. 10.

For 30 years Wolf Run, located in Nicholasville, Kentucky, has fostered and rehabilitated many different animals so that they can be reintroduced to their natural habitats in the wild. Those not able to be released remain happily at Wolf Run and are involved in programs to spread awareness and education about wildlife and its preservation. President Mary Kindred and her husband, Vice President David Fuller are committed, along with the numerous members of the staff, to helping make a difference in the lives of the wolf dogs and other animals at Wolf Run.

Wolf Run has a special connection to ICR because some of its student's volunteer at the facility. Part of the CIS 112 curriculum entails a service component wherein students complete 10 hours of volunteer work per semester. As part of this service, some students are able to work with the wolf dogs and have the rewarding experience of helping increase awareness of these often-misunderstood creatures.

Kelly Sudbrack, a freshman CIS 112 student, said that her volunteer work with the wolf dogs has been an eye-opening experience. “I had no idea that wolf dogs existed and that owning these animals as pets was as problematic as it is. Through my service, I have learned how important it is to keep animals in their natural environment because that is where they thrive.”

Freshman CIS 112 student Daniel Cully said at first, he volunteered at Wolf Run to simply pet animals and fulfill his service hours, but things changed. “Never would I have thought I could build the passion I have for these animals, and workers alike, in such a short time. In bringing the wolf dogs to our campus, I hope people felt the excitement, fear, and respect that these animals deserve in order to raise awareness towards the issues they face every day.”