There are those who have such a profound love for animals that they would go to any length to be close to them.

Dolph C. Volker is one such individual.
A passionate animal lover with a degree in zoology, Volker’s life took a turn when he witnessed his first dog pass away in his arms.

This experience deepened his respect and compassion for all life.

Volker’s love for animals led him to become an advocate for their well-being.
He began volunteering at the Cheetah Experience in South Africa, a sanctuary dedicated to raising awareness about endangered species and ethically breeding cheetahs in captivity.

This experience sparked a particular fascination in Volker for cheetahs.

Despite having a full-time job in the U.S., Volker saves all his money and vacation time to volunteer at The Cheetah Experience.

It was during one of these volunteering stints that he formed a special bond with a cheetah named Eden.
Initially, Volker was apprehensive about getting too close to the cheetahs.

However, Eden approached him while he was napping under a tree and decided she liked him.

Eden’s friendly approach marked the beginning of a unique friendship.
She began to snuggle up with Volker, and they would often cuddle together.

Volker even allowed Eden to groom him, which sometimes involved a bit of nibbling.

Despite the occasional nips, Volker grew accustomed to Eden’s behavior and they became the best of friends.