PAY IT FORWARD

Our labor of love film is being offered as a gift in the hope that it becomes a quiet vehicle for healing and transformation.  

Whether it is Steve Karlin who has committed his life to care for injured wild animals; John Malloy who has spent more than five decades taking care of vulnerable children; the animals who gave humans a second chance and became teachers; the children and families who were brave enough to be vulnerable on the screen to benefit others; the anonymous donors; and the filmmakers who devoted four years in service of this effort — the film has been paid for in both effort and dollars and is really not “free."

Here are some ways to support the organizations and individuals involved in the film:

Wildlife Associates

Although Wildlife Associates has served the community for over thirty years through their various programs, every year continues to be a struggle to stay alive. Their staff graciously takes on additional workload and never lets the budget affect the high level of animal care.  Your support will go towards medical care and diet for the animals and their various youth programs.  SUPPORT

Steve Karlin

Wildlife Associates is a result of a lifelong commitment and sacrifice by its founder, Steve Karlin. For over a decade Steve has been suffering from Parkinson’s and is now exploring some new treatment options (there is some hope that his condition is via that will help him heal and allow him to teach again and capture his life learnings in writing. Support

John Malloy

For over five decades, John Malloy has healed and transformed vulnerable youth in the Bay Area. He has anchored a free intergenerational grief circle for the last forty years and has worked for decades supporting the Native American community by leading the 500 Mile Spirit Run. Support

ServiceSpace

This worldwide, volunteer-run incubator of generosity driven projects connected the filmmakers to Wildlife Associates and have supported the film’s journey in many quiet ways. Their projects range from a daily positive news service, to an acts-of-kindness portal, to a gift-economy restaurant. Regardless of the endeavor, they act in concert to create service opportunities for each other and to support each other's service journeys. Support 

Filmmakers (ImageSeers Productions)

The filmmakers hope to continue creating similar labor-of-love films. If  you feel moved to support the efforts of the filmmakers, your contribution will go towards ongoing expenses in offering TeachMeToBeWILD as a gift (streaming, website, educational toolkits, screenings, DVD, etc.) and new labor-of-love projects. Support

In Teach Me to Be WILD, depressed, angry, and anxious middle school students meet animals that have been hurt. This meeting often is in silence, the natural state of the animals – and in this silence, the students find their own voice. Through the gift of this film, we receive the gift of witnessing the students’ intimate relationships — with animals, nature, and each other — that become a powerful force in their lives. The word “sanctuary” has a heightened meaning in the world today. Teach Me to Be WILD beautifully holds both meanings of the word — that of a sacred space and a place of refuge and protection. 

MARY ROSCOE.    Director, Children in Nature Collaborative,  Co-Founder & Former Administrator, Waldorf School of the Peninsula

Teach Me to Be WILD brings the viewer into a world of healing where we see the mysterious connectedness between human and non-human animals. While we know about the power of pets, here we encounter wild animals who teach youth who are hurting about the wonder of life. We also see the transformational beauty of bringing people and animals together in a safe place to grow. Viewing the film is in itself healing—warm, gentle, compassionate.

STEPHEN MURPHY-SHIGEMATSU.  Co-founder of LifeWorks at Stanford University, author of From Mindfulness to Heartfulness: Transforming Self and Society with Compassion. Personal Website

This film tells the inspiring story of two wise and grounded men who bring injured animals and injured teens together to heal each other. But nature is the true teacher in this story and we, the audience, are the students. Like the remarkable teens in this film, by the end you will recognize your own desire to cultivate a quiet, peaceful place in the natural world where you can listen to your own inner voice.

CHRIS KOCH.  Teacher, International School of Zug and Luzern, Switzerland

There is magic in the film — you can see through the animal’s eyes and break through.  It is real.  And it may be the first real thing that some of the children have touched other than real pain. And here is something real, beyond them. And you yield to it because the power is deep.  What we saw in the film was seeing, children who have never been seen or unable to see themselves, saw themselves through the eyes of the animals. And that’s magic.

REV. HENG SURE.    Disciple of Late Venerable Master Hsuan Hua, Director of the Berkeley Buddhist Monastery.  Profile , Highway Dharma Letters  

The filmmakers allowed the story to happen, and they have created something truly wonderful. The film conveys healing in such a spontaneous, gentle, and innocent way; yet I was really struck by the raw and pure emotions that came through. The healing that the animals are experiencing… that the children are experiencing — I could feel the power of that healing coming through to me.

DR. ADRIAN G. BARTOLI, M.D.   Pain Management, Anesthesiologist (Sutter Health, San Francisco) & Ayurvedic Doctor

This film moved me on so many levels! The message of calming oneself, being present and listening was not only reflected in the student’s comments, but in the pacing and musical score as well. I was taken back to my childhood to reflect on what I am now just learning to do. Even though Teach Me To Be WILD is such a great healing guide for at-risk and wounded kids, it has a deep and essential message for us all.

PHIL BORGES.  Photographer, Filmmaker.   PhilBorgesStudio   CrazyWise Film

This spiritual film touched my heart — everyone transformed in some way. The animals, although hurt by humans, have learned to trust humans again. The humans, although deeply hurt inside, have restored trust to themselves and other living beings.

CHIN SHIEN SHI.    Berkeley Buddhist Monastery

This is a masterful piece. With just the right amount of footage, you capture the spirit of the animals, the spirit of the children and the spirit of Steve Karlin.  I am thinking about how this gift can be made available to the world.

DR. GRACE DAMMAN, M.D.    Prominent HIV/AIDS Physician, San Francisco & Dalai Lama Honoree. Her life-story is captured in the film States of Grace

The film is fantastic and you have created a true legacy for a beautiful place run by the most heartfelt people.  The film captures the relationships, the energetic exchanges, the learning, and most of all the beauty of life in each of its human and other manifestations.  It is full of uplifting stories and stunning closeups of beings that I now sense as fellow travelers on this verdant and cerulean planet.

TOM SARGENT.  Trustee, Tamalpais Trust

We are all connected. Teach Me To Be WILD captures the work of Wildlife Associates and the power of relationship and respect as meaningful and effective elements of healing. The film is grounded, believable, moving, inspiring and up lifting. It goes beyond conventional modern day medicine to demonstrate the healing capacity inherent in interspecies connection and human kindness. This film and work have much to teach us. It is well worth seeing and deserves our support. I commend all those involved in the compassionate healing work being described — and it doesn't even require a prescription!

DR. WILLIAM B. STEWART, M.D.    Co-Founder & Medical Director-Emeritus, Institute for Health & Healing, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco/Sutter Health.  Author of  Deep Medicine: Harnessing the source of your healing power

Watching the film brought tears to my eyes, it took my breath away, and made me smile over and over again.  It is exquisite, hopeful, and so heartfelt.  Your film has motivated me to bring more animals into the children's world. Animals, fire, silence and storytelling will now play a big part in my work.  These elements bring so much authenticity and purity to our experiences. I bow to your work, your care, your love.

ANTOINETTE DeNARDIS. Lead Teacher, Waldorf -Inspired Ke Alaula School, Kauai, Hawaii

CONVENING EDUCATORS FOR HUMAN SUSTAINABILITY,
Saratoga, CA

Diverse educator forum comprising esteemed teachers and innovative thought leaders collaborating on a sustainable vision for education.

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Interviews & Articles

Awakin Call with Filmmakers "When Animals Are Our Healers" 

In this global Awakin Call the filmmakers share their journey in making the film and their personal transformation stories.  Listen & Read Here

steve karlin & Susie Bear

 One of the most important animal companions in Steve Karlin's (founder of Wildlife Associates) life was Susie Bear, a 330-pound American black bear. He says simply that Susie Bear was his most powerful teacher and a beloved friend. Read Here

Awakin Call with Steve Karlin "When Animals Are Our Teachers"

In this Global Awakin Call Steve Karlin talks about his methodology where the animals and their stories are used to teach children and adults not just about the biology of life but also about empathy, caring and the profound interconnections that link all of us together.  Listen & Read Here

"The Wisdom of Animals" Phil Borges speaks with Steve Karlin

Acclaimed social documentary photographer and filmmaker, Phil Borges joined the filmmakers during one of their filming sessions and interviewed Steve Karlin in this featured article of PARABOLA magazine. Read Here

"We are All In this Together" A conversation with John Malloy

John Malloy shares his life journey including his work over the last five decades with vulnerable communities in the Bay Area and his life mission of preserving and fostering the Native American Heritage.  Read Here

Resources & Inspiration