Name: Lori Schmidt, M.S. 
Employer: International Wolf Center
Job Title: Wolf Curator
Years with current employer: 22 years
Educational Background: Lori attended Vermilion Community College where she received an Associate’s Degree in Natural Resources, the University of Minnesota where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resource Management with an emphasis in Candid Behavior, and finally Lakehead University where she received her Master’s degree in Forestry.
Job Description: A typical day begins with wolf care; this includes a delivery of vitamins for all wolves and joint supplements for the older wolves. Then Lori enters the enclosures to do a physical check on all animals and a behavioral assessment on compatibility. She observes and documents individual behaviors to determine if there are abnormalities in attitude or other behaviors. While this is being conducted, she also cleans the enclosures for scat (also an assessment of condition, quantity, color and any parasitical issues) and makes sure that the basic needs of food, water and cover are addressed. Wolf care is followed by documentation in logs, and review of the surveillance video cameras which records nighttime activity.
Favorite Component of Her Job: Lori enjoys the socialization she has with the wolves and learning the individual behavioral traits that affect pack dynamics.
Least Favorite Component of Her Job: Lori admits that the technology she depends upon for cameras and video/software editing is challenging because of a need for software upgrades.
A Special Experience or Story about Her Job: Lori states, “There are so many events over the years that shape a person’s perspective on the job. Every wolf has a unique personality and there’s no one management technique that works on all individuals. In 2008, as we were raising new pups, we had a mortality in the Retired Pack that left Lakota, a 15 year old wolf, alone. We didn’t want to socialize her to the new pups because we were concerned that the Exhibit Pack may perceive the pups as her pups, and reject them when we were to introduce them. Lakota was alone in Retirement, and we decided to try a new management style, allowing her access to the wolf lab where she could come and go as she pleased. This required some gate configurations and safety procedures to make sure she was still within the wolf yard. Our plan worked and we have many fond memories of her time in the lab with the wolf care staff. Even though she was 15, she still was a wolf and would try to take items and possess them as if they were hers. Her list of possessions included many human related items including backpacks, computer mouse pads, wallets, food from the counter and anything that was not secured or supervised. The last few months of her life were very socially engaging, and demonstrated the commitment captive wildlife managers must possess when the quality of an animal’s life is measured.”
Lori’s Recommendations to Those Interested in a Career Similar to Her Own: “The wolves determine who works with them, meaning, they respond much better to people who are calm, level headed, and very keen to subtle nuances of behavior. When working with wolves, the best handlers are those that have dog experience. A dog is a domesticated version of a wolf, behaviors are similar but in most cases a bit calmer. Volunteering at a humane society or shelter often gives good practical experience. Animals at shelters may social anxiety issues which require people to build their trust in order to overcome. This is exactly what we do in wolf management.”
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