Texas sanctuary is a happy home for wolves 12:24 PM CDT on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 By PATTI PFEIFFER / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News   MONTGOMERY, Texas -- Wolves are extinct in Texas, but in one area of the Lone Star State, it isn't unusual to hear the chilling chorus of their howls echoing across rolling hills and filtering through towering pines as residents of Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary communicate with one another. PATTI PFEIFFER/Special Contributor Most animals housed at Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary had horror-story experiences before their rescue. View larger Photography Photo store Located on 100 private, wooded acres northeast of Ho! uston, the canine commune not only provides a peaceful, pampered existence for wolves and wolf dogs that can't be released to the wild or public, it also offers visitors close encounters with the intriguing creatures. Wolves are elusive in the wild, and the opportunity to watch and even pet one draws people from near and far.   "This is much better than I thought it would be," says Taylor Brothers, 11, visiting from Franklin, Mass. "They're really cute, not like what everyone says about them -- that full moon, creepy, scary stuff."   People interested in judging for themselves can go to the sanctuary's annual open house, Oct. 4 this year. Doors to the nonprofit, federally licensed refuge will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Among scheduled activities are human-wolf interaction and therapy demonstrations, educational sessions, face painting, a silent auction and a raffle.   Before visiting the wolf enclosure, Saint Francis guests are required to sign a release form. Visitors then are paired with volunteers well versed in wolf facts and figures, as well as the sad or happy stories of each resident: "A vet reattached Mystery's paw after she was trapped, shot and left for dead. ... Duchess really likes men. ... Wolves can reach speeds of 47 mph and smell for three miles. ... They can dig 8 feet in two days."   Most of the animals housed at Saint Francis have horror stories of life before their rescue, but they're pampered at the sanctuary. They have air-conditioned log huts, misting systems and bathtubs. Well-balanced, meaty meals are served twice daily. Medical care is available. And there's a mandatory exercise program.   When a wolf suffers tired, sore muscles, a massage is given by a registered massage therapist and volunteer.   Currently, seven pens house 11 canine residents. Sanctuary founder Dr. Jean LeFevre says more pens are needed. Dr. LeFevre, who has a doctorate in pastoral counseling, has trained some wolves to work as therapy animals, offering an emotional boost to disfigured children, adults in wheelchairs, abused women and traumatized war veterans.   "A quadriplegic woman had tears in her eyes while petting one of our wolves, saying she never thought she'd ever see a wolf, much less get to touch one," Dr. LeFevre says.   The animals also have been instrumental in the recovery of some addicts. "Everyone had given up, written me off," says Jason Bilski, 27. "Then I came out here. Being out here is very therapeutic. ... People think we take care of them, but really they take care of us."   Patti Pfeiffer is a freelance writer in Flower Mound.   FACTS ABOUT WOLVES *Wolves are the largest members of the dog family. *Wolves are extinct in Texas, according to Texas Parks & Wildlife. *North America has two species: the gray wolf and the red wolf. The gray is the larger and more common. Only about 100 red wolves live in the wild today, according to National Geographic. *Wolf attacks on humans are very rare, but they do attack domestic animals, causing them to be hunted, especially by ranchers. *Wolves howl for varied reasons. A lone wolf howls to get the attention of his pack; group howling often is a message among packs. Wolves sometimes howl only to join others. *Coats vary from solid black to pure white. *Wolves live in family-oriented, hierarchical packs. The alpha wolf, always a male, is the leader. *Wolves breed once a year. Mating season is February and March. Average litter size is four to seven pups.   TRAVEL DETAILS Getting there Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary is about 200 miles south of Dallas in Montgomery, Texas. Contact: 936-597-9653; www.wolvesofsaintfrancis.org.   Hours and prices *Visits are by appointment, from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday and 9 to 10 a.m. Sunday. Special visits can be arranged for individuals, small groups and clubs. The facility is wheelchair accessible. *Suggested minimum donation is $5 for adults and $3 for children. All donations go to care of the wolves.   How to help Through online donations, families or individuals are able to "adopt" specific wolves. The three levels of giving come with perks. Pack adoptions also are available. One-time donations welcome.