Local wolves redefining ‘man’s best friend’

HEBER, Utah (ABC4) — Sausha Seus doesn’t have your typical dogs as pets— she has wolves.

Seus has been training animals for 27 years and her passion is still strong. She is the owner of Wolves of Wasatch, located in Heber. As the daughter of the infamous Doug and Lynne Seus, who trained

Bart the Bear, Sausha has continued their legacy and love for the wild.

When describing the purpose of Wolves of Wasatch, Seus states, “[It’s] a nonprofit I started to help people start connecting back to their primal selves and the wilderness and these wild guys,” as she gestures to the wolves at her feet.

Apollo, a black colored phase of the Timber Wolf, was adopted by Seus when he was six. He was living in St. George with a woman when he was attacked by three huskies. He was dog reactive, so the amount of care required made the woman not be able to take care of him anymore.

Wizard is the other wolf living on the property. He is only eight months old and already training for movies and TV shows. Seus adopted him when he was just four weeks old.

Even though they come from different backgrounds, Wizard and Apollo are strong pack members. Seus explained how important it is they play with each other to build their bond as a pack as well as get energy out.

The playtime with each other isn’t enough. They have to go on daily walks, with their strong (and pricey) leash. “”It would not be wise to get a wolf to try to have a wolf in your house. They’re not house pets. They require to be outside and a lot of exercise. They are wolves,” Seus cautions.

Wolves of Wasatch mainly focuses on private tours to help individuals connect to themselves and with nature. They also do retreats and corporate events with the occasional wolf drum circles. The purpose Seus finds in her job is described when she says, “I want people to be able to be with these wild creatures and be able to have the experience that you can’t get.”

Seus describes the tours as a beautiful experience that often leaves people in “happy tears.” She explains the human and wolf bonding provides a sense of release and whatever else the person needs.

Wolves of Wasatch is allowed to have wolves because of many permits, many Seus has been grandfathered into, as well as her long line of over 50 years of animal training in her family.

The passion Seus has for her wild animals is shown when she explains to ABC4 the difference between dogs and wolves:

“Wolves are not dogs. What makes them different is their wild nature. The fire that you see in their eye. They are wild animals and they allow us to get back to that wild part of ourselves.”