Born and raised in a small Colorado town, Destry worked with horses and cattle.  At 17 he enlisted in the Navy where he secured an education in the art of Welding and Propulsion Engineering.  While in the Navy Destry traveled around the world 3 times.   He was honorably discharged from active duty after 6 years.  During active duty Destry was also able to pursue his love for riding professional rodeo.  Destry has worked as a cowboy on cattle ranches for over 20 years.   Several serious horse related injuries and alcohol abuse brought that phase of his life to an end. 

Destry states, “The 12-Step recovery process has changed my life.  It brought me to Wickenburg and provided me with the opportunity to develop an equine program and teach basic horsemanship and riding skills to Gatehouse Academy residents.” Destry has been involved in the Gatehouse Academy program since 2003; his titles have included Director of all Equine Operations and Program Director of the Hassayampa River Ranch.  In addition to this, Destry has played a role in many other departments including education, life skills, and crisis intervention.  Destry’s love for horses and ranch work coupled with his cowboy lifestyle is widely admired and respected by the staff and residents.  To hear more about Destry’s personal recovery journey you can read about it in the book, “The Harder They Fall” by Gary Stromberg and Jane Merrill.