Wolf dog rescue adds new space to care for animals – WSAW

GLEASON, Wis. (WSAW) – Apex Angels and Warriors has opened a new room to care for its 38 wolf dogs and support veterans seeking healing.
The rescue is the only wolf dog facility in Wisconsin providing care for the hybrid animals. It also serves as a place for veterans to find companionship and healing.
The organization feeds more than 100 pounds of meat daily to the wolf dogs. Wolf dogs are hybrid animals bred by humans that require specialized care and space.
“They’re very spoiled. Like they’ll eat out of my hands sometimes,” said Jeff Yunk, a volunteer and Army veteran.
Michelle Last, co-owner and co-director of Apex Angels and Warriors, said the animals provide therapeutic benefits for veterans.
“And they’re, I mean, just amazing animals. But then we bring the veterans in who have PTSD and we have them work with the wolf dogs. We call it dual healing,” Last said.
The new Last Legacy Room allows volunteers to prepare food for the wolf dogs closer to their enclosures. Visitors can also observe the animals from inside the room.
“This room is dedicated to my husband’s father, Lawrence Last. He was a Seabee. And also to my husband because he did most of the work on this room by himself,” Last said.
Yunk said volunteering at the rescue saved his life.
“I started coming here for the dogs. But then I met Michelle and Jeff and like Mark and all of our other volunteers. And every person is like a family member to me,” Yunk said.
He said witnessing the transformation in both animals and veterans provides fulfillment.
“It’s an amazing feeling to see the turnaround in the animals as it is for the veterans as well,” Yunk said.
Yunk encouraged other veterans to visit and bond with the wolf dogs.
Last said wolf dogs have a pack mentality similar to what veterans experienced in the military, allowing both groups to find healing together.
Apex Angels and Warriors will have an open house on Saturday, May 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“We have a lot in store this year. We are having Ken’s Smokehouse BBQ truck, food truck out here and he’s given deals to everybody and he’s got great food. We have a bounce house coming for the kids,” Last said.
They will also have a raffle and prizes. Anyone is welcome. Last hopes the event draws more veterans to their facility.
“I mean, there’s many ways of healing for veterans and there’s no incorrect way of healing,” said Yung. “Like some people have a service dog. Some people like going to the VA and talking to a therapist. Some of us don’t like that. Some of us like coming out here. So it’s just, it’s everything different for different people and I just tell people to come out and try it.”
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