A film by Rajesh Krishnan and Anne Veh.

Teach Me to Be WILD explores the work of Wildlife Associates, a sanctuary in Northern California, where injured, non-releasable wild animals become Wild Teachers and are helping heal generations of hurt children. The traumatic histories of the creatures, who range from an Andean condor to a two-toed sloth, often parallel those of the at-risk youth who visit. Unexpected connections are forged that ripple into stories of transformation. Founded by Steve Karlin, a former park ranger whose greatest mentors were a 330-pound American black bear and a pair of robins, the sanctuary's work recalls us to our true place in Nature’s web. With intimate access to the animals, their caregivers, workshop facilitators and their spirited students, this film captures the magic that transpires where wounded children and their Wild Teachers meet. [Subtitles are available in English, Mandarin and Spanish, to access click the CC tab at the bottom of the screen].

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  • Dudley Giler

    Charming stories

  • Aiyana Maria

    Yes! This! Wow. I so strongly feel the importance of comming together in a circle like this. To learn from the fire, nature, the animal, the present moment. This should be what we are learning in school all over the world. To be truely vulnerable and powerful - all of us related. THANK you SO much for the work you offer here. Deeply inspiring!

  • Katharine Ford

    What a powerful film. Thank you to all who bright this together. I work with horses and people who suffer in a variety of ways with the goal of bringing about peace and healing. It is slow and quiet work. I am inspired by this program and the critically important work they are doing. I will be sharing this widely and hoping it will inspire those having important conversations in the field of equine assisted therapies. I will hold in my heart the image of the children sitting before the great turkey vulture, asking the questions no one has ever been able to answer.

  • Henna Maria

    Thank you so much for everyone who has been involved with the sanctuary, the children and the making of this film. I am deeply moved and inspired. This is the reason why I love animals and humans, what amazing beings. The Heart is the way.

  • Sumithra

    Truly inspiring, touching and empowering! Kudos to Steve Karlin and team.

  • Victoria Crawford

    Everything! My heart is deeply touched and inspired by this work. Thank you many times over for sharing it with us all. Blessings, light, peace and to all.

  • Aluna

    So deeply touching how the children and animals connect and heal each other. Wonderful film! THANK YOU, Steve Karlin!

  • Paulina Urrutia

    I was inspired by the human and animal teachers. The deep connection the children found to the animals and with their own center. Most of all by the deep healing and understanding seen in the children.

  • Nancy McKee

    So glad I accidently found this site . . . I've always related to wildlife and agonize when I see others not understand how incredible they are. By "accidently" finding this site, I've found "home". Now when I walk the Delaware Canal in PA and watch and wonder at the natural wisdom of wildlife I know I'm not alone. Oh, how much the world needs to turn back to "the wild" . . it's our only chance for survival.

  • Ward Mailliard

    Just about everything. Helping young people heal and rediscover their authentic selves though engaging with the wisdom of the wild. The beauty of both animals and children when the can be who they truly are......

  • Sharon

    The simplicity of how to connect ,speak,communicate and just be was what inspired me about this film.It shows how everything on the planet is connected and how we connect with our authentic self so simply.Just as it should be.From a place of love.Beautiful,thank you for sharing and giving as you all do.💖

  • Gaydean

    I am inspired by so many things about this program, specifically, the youth at risk program. The healing transpires when they discover the connection to nature. The building of a relationship to an animal that they feel a connection with, for whatever it is, is healing for them. The animal has their own story and characteristics that the children can relate and reflect their own story and feelings to. One of my favorite quotes goes something like this, approach an animal slowly, with slowness comes deepness. With silence comes listening. With listening comes understanding. In silence hear your inner voice, your spirit.

  • Helen

    Everything, actually. As a former teacher of 7 and 8 grade students, I am aware of some of their difficulties as I am also blessed to be aware of the gifts our animal brothers and sisters can, and do, give us

  • Tiyana Maksimovich-Binno

    Thank you from the bottom of my heart and Soul for caring equally for wounded animals and people, and for making this profound, touching film. You are a major blessing to our whole Earth. I live in Sydney, Australia, and am wondering if you are aware of any similar place around here. Thank you again. Love and Light to all of you.

  • Amber

    Thanks so much for this touching movie ~ I literally cried "Happy Tears"! My heart sings...

  • Sue

    I'm inspired, for one by the very existence of this sanctuary and what it has to offer people. Aso very inspired by the connection the children made with the animals and each other, how their feelings about themselves changes for the better and the love and understanding that they now possess.

  • Alison Woolcott

    As social beings we need connection. Human connection can come with too much 'baggage' sometimes and more so for those feeling fragile. The beauty of connection with the earth and it's animals is often beyond words....however it somehow can soothe the soul. We are part of the earth and it's animals....we all interact and depend on each other. The beauty of this documentary is that is shares that. thankyou! oh yes...I'm bloody crying! :D <3 x

  • Dr S Sundaramoorthy

    I enjoyed (1) The kiss on the bird's plume (minute 18:30) and the shirk of the plume by the bird acknowledging it. (2) the photo illusion of a six-legged horse (minute 58:22 to 58.26).Best wishes to you all

  • Geetha Sellamuthu

    Time we tune into the Divine Intelligence in all Life surrounding us! "To find books in running brooks Sermons in stone & good in everything....." William Shakespeare

  • Chandra

    I appreciate people in Europe and in India (where i spent many years), caryng for animals. I found there are quite few who dedicate their live to share love with wild and stray animals. I connected with the great work of the followings: 1) Arunachala Animal Sanctuary in Tiruvannamalai (Tamilnadu),www.arunachalasanctuary.com/ 2) Children of the Forest, (Amte's Animal Ark), https://www.facebook.com/bricioland/videos/640043772835232/ 3) In south India village Pasumalaithangal and in Goa I have several friends sharing time and love with stray dogs and animals. Thankyou to all of them !!! 4) In Germany a very interesting land for the animals:www.gabriele-stiftung.org/it/offerte I wish more and more people will become aware and contribute to theese projects. love to all animal lovers. Chandra (weavers wheel network India)

  • jinpa

    it's the golden ticket, the way, the path to an enlightened life, truly!!!

  • Cletus

    Wonderful! So inspiring. I am reminded of my dog Bruno is lost somewhere in this big city. I believe I can connect to him and bring him home!

  • Ambika Talwar

    How gorgeous is the heart-empowered vision, which liberates us. How compassionate is the expansive beauty of Nature who calls and inspires our awakening. Loved the insightful children who also became teachers. Thank you Steve Karlin and all for the sanctuary of strength and transformation. And the filmmakers for a fine experience. Am so tempted to come by. All best. :)

  • Kate

    Loved this beautiful film! I just shared with everyone I know and said it was a MUST WATCH! I do equine-partnered life/career coaching and healing work around the country (mostly with adults/not children) and I felt like my life purpose/calling was finally showcased on screen with this film. This program is awe-inspiring and now I want to visit and support them. The human-animal bond is so important to all of us.

  • Smita

    It brought out a tenderness and emotions I did not know existed in me. Beautiful I think it will heal in some way all who even watch the film. Grteful.

  • Devendra

    The massage is \in center part of the movie touches our heart. Love u all.

  • Linda

    A beautiful and successful attempt to bridge the gap between animal and human. Rejected, sick and injured animals are finding new lives as teachers for troubled human children. Children learn to rise above abuse, drugs, poverty, violence and learn how to endure and start again to really live. A must see for children, particularly high school teenagers, as well as adults who need to see the whole picture of life.

  • Lilyw

    So beautiful! Truly an inspiration.

  • Anthony

    "It is easier to teach our young than to heal our old."

  • meetakshi

    absolutely beautiful! Worthy of applaud is this and all such efforts to 're-connect humanity'. we've slipped a bit, almost dangerously far, from ourselves. Thank you guys!

  • Smriti

    The peace it brings just watching it

  • Kristin

    A good friend..I LOVE animals, especially cats.

  • Debra

    The authenticity of both human and animal...stepping out of story and into Life.

  • ann hart

    Pure magic. Thank you.

  • ratnakara

    This gave me hope for our world's future; both the children and the animals. thank you for your love!

  • Kristin Pedemonti

    Thank you for sharing hope and connecting at risk youth to see how survival and love is possible after trauma.

  • Joan

    Beautiful and inspiring video. Wish everyone could receive and view it. Thank you

  • Ron

    Brilliant movie and work!

  • Tracy

    The young adults who are learning about themselves give me hope for a better future! The fact that they are learning to empathize with others and the animals at WILD is heartening. Kudos to Steve Karlin and his staff. He is making the world a better place.

  • Judith

    Beautiful video of compassion for animals, children and our planet. I am in deep gratitude being able to see the wonderful work being accomplished at Wildlife Associates. I'd like to visit someday!

  • mindy

    A powerful gather “around the fire” of a needed healing connection between those who feel they don’t have a voice and those who have found a voice in the silence. Beautiful film on so many levels. Thank you.

  • Candace

    What inspired you about this video? The connection between the animals and humans in silence gave me a deep sense of peace and gratitude.

  • Ginny

    This touched me. Thank you...

  • Mish

    So grateful to be gifted the opportunity to experience this awesome create. So looking forward to Saturday's Awakin Call with Anne & Rajesh too! Thank you Thank you Thank you.

  • Page 1

  • Learn more about the organization featured in the film, as well as the animals and people in it through the film website.
  • Listen to the filmmakers share more from the journey on an upcoming Awakin Call this Saturday. RSVP and more details here.
  • Sit in silence with an animal, connect with his/her eyes and ask a question no human has been able to answer. Share your experience. 

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