Destry Forgette - Ranch Manager
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.



