A Former Student

Putting your child in the hands of staff who you don’t know very well is a hard thing to do. My parents were very nervous too. I spent 15 months and 14 days at discovery ranch. and they were the best days of my life. The friends I made there were the most supportive, loving, trustworthy friends I have ever made in my life. I had many issues when I went to discovery ranch, and the girls, boys, and staff stuck with me through everything.

The first day I got checked into DR, I was a lost, confused, angry, depressed 13-year-old. I had many issues that I needed help solving, and at DR there were staff that knew that and expected me to know that they were not going to give up on me. I left as a 15-year-old confident strong, appreciative person. I like to think that I grew up at Discovery Ranch because I did. I learned so many useful skills on how to communicate with my parents, do well in school, and make the right decisions. I don’t regret any of the mistakes I have made in my life because they had lead me to Discovery Ranch and I think that getting sent here was the best decision my parents had ever made for me. I even learned things that are not required of me to know at my age.

When I got to the Ranch, I thought that there was no possible way that raising a baby calf would help me with any of the issues I had, yet it did. at this point in time, I am getting along with my parents, doing very well in school, I am sober, and I still have the support of the friends I have made at discovery ranch, the staff that stuck with me through everything, and my therapist who helped me through all my difficult, emotional times. Discovery Ranch changed my life for the better and I am so thankful I was sent there.

A former student