BZA Review of Lupine Grove, Inc • This package was prepared for Stafford County BZA review • Lupine Grove welcomes any interested member of the BZA who would like to visit us before the scheduled hearing • Bottom Line Up Front: We are asking the BZA to approve Lupine Grove’s Special Exception request for a Commercial Kennel with parking at 26 Quarter Horse Court for up to 20 customers per day • All customers will be By Appointment Only • 10 customers per day Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9am to 8pm • 20 customers per day Friday and Saturday 9am to 8pm • 20 customers per day Sunday from 10am to 5pm • Closed to the public Wednesday but available for county-approved functions (more details to come) • Equestrian Estates subdivision does not have a HOA or covenants that restrict this activity • And if we find there is more demand to learn about these type dogs, we are also asking the BZA for permission to expand Lupine Grove by adding a handicap-accessible elevated viewing platform, additional 1+ acre enclosures, additional walking trails, a canine agility course, and at least one parking lot on our Boundary Drive (zoning dependent), Sunshine Drive, and/or Rolling Road private access easements. • At that point, we would also allow walk-up tours so not all customers would be By Appointment Only • Other facilities for viewing similar canines can see 50 customers per day, people just love to see wolves • With 24+ acres available to Lupine Grove and 5 of our 6 lots without houses, this expansion part of our request would put Lupine Grove somewhere between what Stafford County calls a Home Business and used to call an Event • None of the other neighborhoods involved (Rolling Grove, Sunshine Grove, and Lake Arrowhead) have HOAs or covenants that restrict this activity Lupine Grove Property with Acreage
PAE
Sunshine Tract 21 Acres
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26 Quarter Horse Court 3 Acres Lupine Grove Property with Lots Lupine Grove Wooded Walking Trails Lupine Grove Background Information
• John and Cindy Grove have lived in Stafford County since 1991 • 26 Quarter Horse Court was registered as a Stafford non-commercial canine kennel June 2018 • Lupine Grove, Inc. was established as a VA nonprofit corporation April 2019 • Lupine Grove, Inc. applied for a USDA Exhibitor’s License April 2020 • Lupine Grove, Inc. received IRS 501c3 nonprofit status June 2020 backdated to April 2019 • All Lupine Grove canines are vaccinated, DNA tested, and registered with Stafford County • Lupine Grove Federal EIN is 83-4632004 • Lupine Grove has $2M commercial liability canine training insurance through Liberty Mutual BKS (21) 60614141 • Covers training involving canines both on and off-site • Lupine Grove’s Board of Directors has 45 years of combined experience with this type dog • 3 years Public Relations Director for Candy Kitchen Wolf Hybrid Rescue (63 canines) • 4 years General Manager for Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary (56 canines) • 3 years Board of Director for the Minnesota Wildlife Humane Society (44 canines) • 3 years Board of Advisors and volunteer at Big Oak Wolf Sanctuary (62 canines) • Certification from Wolf Park’s “How to raise ambassador wolves” in-person educational program • Co-coordinator of the yearly San Diego, CA Wolfdog Walk • Co-coordinator of the yearly Virginia Beach, VA Wolfdog Walk What is a wolfdog? • A domestic animal under US Code 9 CFR Section 1.1 • “Crosses between wild animal species and domestic animals, such as dogs and wolves or buffalo and domestic cattle, are considered to be domestic animals.” • “Dog means any live or dead dog (Canis familiaris) or any dog-hybrid cross.” (dog-hybrid means direct offspring of a wolf) • A dog with more recent (DNA detectable) wolf ancestry than other dog breeds • All Lupine Grove canines are wolfdogs but not wolf-hybrids as there hasn’t been a pure wolf used in many decades • A dog that is typically a mix of Husky, Malamute, German Shepherd, and gray wolf • A dog that’s been selectively-bred by humans to retain the wolf look with a more docile temperament • A type of dog that is also known as Lupine dog, Indian dog, Eskimo dog, Native American dog, Racing Husky, Wolfhound, or Wolf Hybrid • AKC recognizes Sarloos Wolfhound and Czechoslovakian Wolfdog as official US dog breeds • FCI recognizes all wolfdogs under the label of Calupoh Dog • Primitive Russian guarding dogs like Caucasian Mountain Dogs, Russian Bear Dogs, Baskhan (Karachay) Pariy, and Caucasian Ovcharkas also show recent wolf ancestry • A dog that has not had most of its family-oriented wiring replaced with ‘please human owner’ through 40,000+ years of selective breeding to work for us • A type of dog that represents Man’s earliest versions of domesticated dogs Why is this type education needed?
• There is nowhere else in the world to learn how to raise this type of dog to be happy and safe • There are many organizations that educate about wolves in the wild and a few that educate about wolves in captivity • There are many organizations that educate about more-domesticated dogs • Without education, too many of these dogs are purchased by people who love the appearance but expect the exact same level of obedience as a more-domesticated dog • In reality, they should expect the same level of obedience humans get from cats! • By the time they learn their expectations were wrong, these EXTREMELY sensitive dogs are often ruined and will never fully trust humans • Inadequate containment is a big problem with this type dog because their appearance means they can NEVER run loose, it’s a public relations disaster • Many purchase the dog without understanding the type of containment required for a large, strong, and highly intelligent canines • Lupine Grove containment is an exemplar in the wolfdog community and a cornerstone of our education program • Many people mentally associate wolf-like appearance with aggression but in domestic settings, these dogs are extremely timid and shy • Proactive socialization and desensitization are critical for them to enjoy the human world • Expectation management is key to everyone’s happiness, neophobia (fear of anything new or strange) cannot be ‘trained out’ of dogs • Many people mistakenly believe these dogs are confused or missing the wild • Just like humans, dogs learn normal based on the environment they actually experience, not from pre-wired ideas about normal • The bond between humans and dogs is unique across all species and by understanding the mind of man’s earliest dogs, what we call wolfdogs today, we can better conceptualize how our paths merged long ago to result in today’s dogs Lupine Grove Potential Revenue Streams • Wolfdog education classes (on site) • Introduction • Advanced • Certification • Lupine Grove University • Online Wolfdog education • Canine Adventures • Wolfdog walks (on and off site) • Educational seminars (off site) • Private wooded walking trail rental • Photography seminars • Canine domestication research grants Lupine Grove Proposed Wolfdog Education
Introductory Class: $200 Advanced Class: $200 Competency and Certification Testing: $100 • Introduction of Lupine Grove and safety protocols • Wolfdog Care • Written and oral testing • What is a Wolfdog? • Containment sizes and types • Wolfdog interaction and walking tests • Federal US Code 9 CFR Section 1.1 • Socialization • Lupine Grove Staff T-shirt • States and Local laws for Wolfdogs • • Wolfdog types and appearances Enrichment • History of the breed and other names used • Training • DNA & Genetics • Correction/discipline • Wolfdog Resources and Information • Diet • Literature Fiction and Non-fiction • Veterinary • Sanctuaries, Rescues, Preserves, and other facilities • Wolfdog Behaviors • Breeders • More enjoyable • Wolfdog owners • Less enjoyable • Internet resources • Potential dangers • Trainers and Behaviorists
All donations will be used to expand Lupine Grove educational opportunities. 10% Military discount on all educational packages and group discounts available. By Appointment ONLY: [email protected] or (540) 286-1630 Lupine Grove Proposed Tour Packages
• 1-hour Self-Guided Trail Tour: $20 per person (max 20) • 3-hour Wolfdog Photo Tour (Future): $200 for one person, $300 for two • Private use of Lupine Grove wooded dog-walking trails • Introduction of Lupine Grove and safety protocols – 20 minutes • Visit enclosures from outside, detailed description of each animal and an educational mini program. Tour Guide is inside enclosures and answers questions – • 1-hour Wolfdog Overview Tour: $25 per person (max 10) 30 minutes • Introduction of Lupine Grove and safety protocols – 10 minutes • Photographer(s) and two wolfdogs in a multi-acre wooded enclosure – 2 hours • Discuss Lupine Grove growth plans and return to start point – 10 minutes • Visit enclosures from outside, detailed description of each animal and an educational mini program. Tour Guide is inside enclosures and answers questions – 30 minutes • Short tour of dog-walking trails – 10 minutes • Canine Adventure Tour (limited availability) $500 and up • Discuss Lupine Grove growth plans and return to start point – • Introduction of Lupine Grove and safety protocols – 20 minutes 10 minutes • Visit enclosures from outside, detailed description of each animal and an educational mini program. Tour Guide is inside enclosures and answers questions – 30 minutes • 2-hour Wolfdog Walking Tour: $100 for one person, $150 for two • Discuss Lupine Grove growth plans and return to start point – 10 minutes • Introduction of Lupine Grove and safety protocols – 15 minutes • After wolfdogs are loaded for transport, follow Howl Bus to chosen location such as • Visit enclosures from outside, detailed description of each an outdoor shopping mall, state/county park, private home, or pet-friendly store(s) animal and an educational mini program. Tour Guide is inside • Educate about wolfdogs in chosen location enclosures and answers questions – 30 minutes • Walk in the woods with a Wolfdog – 60 minutes • Discuss Lupine Grove growth plans and return to start point – 15 minutes
All donations will be used to expand Lupine Grove educational opportunities. 10% Military discount on all tour packages. By Appointment ONLY: [email protected] or (540) 286-1630 Lupine Grove Proposed Give Backs to Stafford County
• FREE use of our wooded trails for county K9 training • FREE wolfdog education for any interested county or state officials • Animal Control and VDGIF especially • FREE use of our wooded trails for county-sponsored events like socially- distanced Haunted Trails for Halloween, Easter Egg and Treasure hunts, etc. • FREE tours and/or wolfdog presentations for Stafford schools • FREE dog shows and pet expos with vendor booths • Powerful emotional therapy for troubled teens, special needs, PTSD, etc. • As a 501c3, we can work with the county for Community Service sentences The dogs of Lupine Grove Lupine Grove – Summer 2020 Rolling Road PAE
Sunshine Wooded Walking Trails Drive PAE
FIRE PIT Metal Shed PORTA POTTIES CAULDRON 6’ Fence
Driveway Parking 8’ Fence
80’ Off Street Parking Lupine GroveLupine
Boundary Drive (Zoning – Parking Lot Lot 47 Future Expansion Future Dependent Lot 6’Fence GATE )
PORTA 8’Fence AGILITY AGILITY COURSE POTTIES 8’Fence Educational Center Benches Platform Viewing Elevated Awning POTTIES PORTA FIRE FIRE PIT SHEDS WoodedWalking Trails CAULDRON 6’Fence GATE
PORTA Sunshine Sunshine Drive
POTTIES Rolling Road Parking Parking Lot Lot GATE What Visitors Say About Lupine Grove
Reviews from our Facebook page: • “As someone who has been working with wolfdogs since 2009, the only thing missing was an educational facility to help future owner or enthusiast to learn more about wolfodgs, and what it takes to care for them. So I was thrilled to learn about Lupine Grove. They are the only facility in the country that offers full on education about wolfdogs, and with more interest in wolfdogs this is an important and much needed thing. So from their awesome, ambassador wolfdogs, beautiful walking trails, and wealth of knowledge look no further than Lupine Grove. Thank you John and Cindy! Your passion for this breed will help further knowledge of these wonderful, loving animals.” – Sharon • “I recommend Lupine Grove for so many reasons. You learn to interact with wolfdogs, raised in a loving environment. All of the wolfdogs have varying levels of the Circle of Trust you have to earn your way into. One visit does not get you into every circle, therefore it is a continual interactive experience. You become more aware of your language with the wolfdogs without even speaking; translating to how you care for your dogs at home. Lupine Grove have spent years cultivating an environment where strangers can come, learn, socialize and learn how to bring a wolfdog into their lives and treat them with the respect they deserve. Plenty of opportunities to see how they're fed, nursed as pups, enrichment and play, and enclosure needs for the wolfdogs in their care. You can clearly see how much Lupine Grove loves their wolfdogs and want to share that knowledge with YOU! Make time to come socialize, you won't regret it.” – Sabrina • “John and Cindy's passion for wolfdogs is apparent the moment you arrive a Lupine Grove. Everything is set up for the comfort and safety of their animals. The new educational facility will be up and running soon. They have even added walking trails in the woods so you can relax in a beautiful, natural setting. If you love wolfdogs you will definitely want to check out Lupine Grove.” – Rose • “Cindy and John share an honest and nurturing love for the breed, this is evident by the health and wellbeing of their wolf dogs! This extensive knowledge and experience makes them the "Go To" for anyone who wants to learn more about this exquisite animal.” – Lisa • “Great place to learn about and experience wolf dogs. John has a wealth of knowledge and is eager to answer questions and educate anyone who wants to know more. Once in a lifetime experience.” – Trevor • “I recommend everything about Lupine Grove!! I had the best morning meeting Cindy , John and their entire wolfdog pack. Can’t wait to get back and learn more about wolfdogs!!!” - Sarah