Many well meaning and kind people want to come and volunteer to work wit the bears here at the sanctuary. We just want to make clear that NO ONE goes in with the bears, except for Jim and Susan (no, not even on private tours). You also must be a licensed NYS rehabilitator to even volunteer on the property. The relationship Jim and Susan have with the bears has been cultivated over a lifetime spent with them. It’s built on trust and kindness and constant care. Jim himself says that if anyone offered for him to go inside an enclosure with THEIR bears, he would turn them down in a heartbeat. The bears are wonderful with Jim and Susan but no one else could expect to have that relationship. So while the bears seem docile and friendly, they are wild animals and if you have no relationship with them, then frankly you’d be nuts to want to step into an enclosure with one. What we share with you here is a very, very special relationship. No one else could expect to have that with the bears upon just meeting them. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omXy4Tzf5rM