We were victims of abuse. It is marketed as a Residential Treatment Center for teenage boys aged 13-18 with emotional and behavioral issues. DR does not accept transgender males. They want the parents to say only what they tell them to say. His step-father (my Dad) told me not to discuss it around him. In addition to taking part in the equine therapy and horsemanship programs, he will have access to the fully-equipped music studio. I ended up running away from this program and deciding on a much better program that actually wanted to help people. The trauma Ive witnessed, and seen other kids witness was unbearable. If this describes your family, let us help. I understand that people need to help themselves and I cannot blame Discovery Ranch for my decisions but this environment definitely did not promote positive change in my life. Although you move on and mature, its a wound that never fully heals and cuts deep. I had never done drugs, drank, or even smoked a cigarette at this point in my life. I suggest seeking different options for your child. Allegations of abuse that have been reported by survivors include: forcing a resident to lick cow feces off another residents boots, forcing teenagers to unclog a toilet with their bare hands, adult male staff masturbating while watching underaged residents showering, changing, and using the toilet, teens being fed undercooked food and deprived of food, verbal abuse, include staff shouting and swearing at teenagers, widespread allegations of brainwashing techniques in order to force conformity, use of solitary confinement as punishment, published in 2015 by Catherine Kushan, Discovery Ranch, a treatment center located in Mapleton, Utah, provides an empirical example of how this industry rhetorically manipulates legitimate psychiatric conditions to solicit clients. I was there almost ten years ago, and it feels like yesterday because of my PTSD. I posted this exact review several times spacing itself out several months. The chidren cant even have open discussions with other inmates there for fear of being punished and losing privileges. While at Discovery Ranch, your son will participate in a variety of outdoor activities. I still maintain close relationships with both girls and boys who are around my age (23-27) that have gone through exactly what you are going through now; so whether its easier to talk to a guy or girl or someone with a similar case to yours, I can put you in contact with them if youd like (Free of charge too! This is my real name, as Im no longer afraid to write my review under an alias. Its not just the kids too, sometimes there are good staff, but whenever there is that person never lasts long at all, they all literally quit because this place is so horrible. I stopped feeling emotions and didnt for two years. Amy Golden. June 27, 2022; how to get infinite lingots in duolingo; chegg payment options; discovery ranch lawsuit . They have the same goals in mind. Lawsuit Attorney For Grand Ledge - Michigan Lawsuit Attorneys Any minor infraction is punished severely. . 10 Discovery Ranch for Girls reviews. We would act like we loved the treatment center, and that there wasnt any abuse going on. But, the couple was later outspoken on social media about the extent to which they were helped by the Raney family. We focus on healing the entire family. Our parents (his Mom and step-father) regret sending him there even all these years later. The representative will help connect you with resources that can help your family--even if that help is not from us. With the help of a REAL rehab and AA, I had achieved 14 months sober. The average stay is OVER a year not under like they love to say. Contact one of our well-trained representatives now. I would estimate their rate of rehabilitation around 20%. I was forced to do the most humiliating and degrading things possibly conceivable; I was forced to eat a girls used tampon, lick cow shit off a girls boots, unclog a toilet with my bare hands adult male staff would masturbate to me showering, changing, and using the toilet while masturbating (keep in mind I was 15. I had no contact with the outside world except letters to my parents which were censored, and observed phone calls once a month. It is NOT your fault and youre NOT a lesser being despite what DR drilled into you. After I graduated I was transferred to discovery ranch. One small slip up, and you have all privileges taken away from a day to sometimes even a week. However, it is also only 10 minutes from the urban hub of Cedar City, Utah. My parents sent me there because I was depressed, doing poorly in school instead of getting straight As, got caught shoplifting a pack of gum from 7-11, spent too much time on the computer, and was too angry and defiant. If youre a troubled teen thats reading this that just recently got out, or its been years and its still effecting you, please believe me when I say that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Its another long, tough, painful battle after you leave DR and I havent known one other person who didnt suffer after getting out. In other words, do not trust them. We respect your privacy. We have experience working with a variety of behavioral and emotional issues. , family visits, and Parent Day Seminars. Who Owns Blind Frog Ranch? All About the Tourist Attraction Aside from the obvious prejudice and discrimination, many of these conditions are not legitimate clinical impairments, and those that are require individualized care, which this facility does not provide., In February of 2015, a former resident at DR and his family filed a lawsuit against the school reporting that the boy was violently and repeatedly sexually assaulted by another resident at the program. They lied and were mainpulative, and power tripped all the time. There is a culture of caring and respect, but also of excellence and high expectation both for staff and students. When you fail thats on you, dont punish your kids for your actions. The pain doesnt just stop, they dont forget what you did to them, regardless of your intentions. The entire facility is designed to create a rich therapeutic and healing environment. What's the Deal With Kim and Josh's 'Homestead Rescue' Lawsuit? Your Participation Is Key To Success It is degrading and disrespectful and I will forever hate this program as they manipulate people into spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to not help there kids. I have maintained very close friendships with a handful of other patients that were there during my time (for a wide range of different reasons) and we even make it appoint to see each other each year. Terrible place dont send your child here. Discovery is the legal term used to describe the different processes that require parties in a lawsuit to exchange information that each side possesses. Also there were lawsuits against this place. I will never forgive Discovery Ranch for the damage they did to me, and the damage they continue to do to future generations. These programs are money makers. It is marketed as a Residential Treatment Center for teenage boys aged 13-18 with emotional and behavioral issues. DR does not accept transgender males. the licensed substance abuse counselor has obviously never touched a substance in her life. Discovery ranch uses a merit system to punish kids. Research shows this is the best approach to help your son and family heal mentally, physically, and emotionally. I dont know why but when i was there I never wanted to leave. The reason for posting this is that this is cathartic for me and nice to have a group of people who have at least a basic Overpriced, over rateddo not send your child there if you care about them. Basically non-existent education. worked as the Clinical Director of Discovery Ranch. The decision you make for your child will stay with them forever. Feel free to ask anything about my stay I'm an open book. I highly suggest people look it up, one of the most disgusting things Ive ever read in my life: . The Famous Blind Frog Ranch: A Private Ranch In Montana That Is Home To If Im in the car with someone and they make a wrong turn or something I will flip out and start having a panic attack because all I can think about it oh my god where are they taking me theyre locking me up again. Your attorney should explain each step, but here you can learn basics on Complaints, Answers, and other motions involved at the beginning of a lawsuit. Those goals are helping your son learn, grow, and heal so that your family can be a family again. This creates a streamlined experience for your son. My parents spent over $200,000 here before they realized I was not getting the help I needed. This type of environment makes reporting abuse and neglect impossible for teenagers. We were indirectly expected to manipulate visiting parents of troubled kids who have not yet been sent to treatment. The pain doesnt just stop, they dont forget what you did to them, regardless of your intentions. Therapy was more like brainwashing than therapy. A kid was put in isolation for about 4 weeks before being moved to a different treatment center. The boat bought with funds by Discovery Ranch was not once used for the kids, the owners just use it for personal use. He will receive consistent feedback. Are they just being a teenager? Privileges to some might sound like being able to talk to friends, or having free time. We have created this bond because unless you went through a detention center such as DR, you will not understand. If you absolutely need mental support for your child, I suggest something that is close to home, and something that does not limit their ability to see and interact with the outside world. The parents believe discovery ranch and most kids have no hope of anyone listening to them because they think no one believes them and they wont talk and they lie about it. Their website lists the following conditions the program claims to treat: various mental illnesses including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, ADHD, and oppositional defiance the last of which is no longer listed in the DSM substance abuse and other addictions, eating disorders [] learning disorders and nonverbal learning disability [] social struggles, low self-esteem, adoption/attachment issues, and grief and loss The unadvertised conditions that I witnessed among detainees included being LGBT, Internet addiction, and one girl in particular was sent there for having a black boyfriend. First, let me begin by stating that sending your kid anywhere is a traumatic experience they will have for the rest of their life. please if you are thinking of sending anyone or know anyone who is considering to send someone here, keep the kid far away from them. Im scared to mention my real name because Discovery Ranchs aftercare program still controls my life. Discovery Ranch is an Ascent Company behavior-modification program founded on August 21st, 2005. This will provide him with the. They strip you of everything, even contact with your own parents, and dangle it in front of you as motivation to do/act how they want. I posted this exact review several times spacing itself out several months. Its funny, almost all of the kids that left as a level 5 or 4 ARE DOING DRUGS AND ARE DOING WORSE AT HOME, goes to show how little the program works. With the help of a REAL rehab and AA, I had achieved 14 months sober. There was never any you can do it it was you better do it or youre going to be put on mc and never get out of here. Not a single one of us agree that this program helped us or our relationships with our families. On top of that I was forced to study 7 hours straight on the weekends if I didnt meet academic requirements. Seek other avenues for your child. Keith (Yelp), 6/28/2013: (PARENT) This is the worst place to send your child. However, your teen is still troubled and your family is still in crisis. They would yell at us and use excessive force. (Blood sprayed on me). The staff often used abusive behaviors and were very rude to us. Duane and his son, Chad Ollinger, are trying to finish a goal set by Duane's own father. I am at a loss for what to do at this point. In May 2018, the family that owns Blind Frog Ranch in Moab, Utah, filed a lawsuit against the Bureau of Land Management (BLM . Your PRECIOUS child is NOT safe here! Chad Ollinger and his brother, Duane, are gold prospectors in the Uintah Mountains of Utah. In comparison, most of the other residents had serious drug problems, were in gangs, were extremely violent, etc. Caring, experienced professionals are ready to help your son. departments all work together. DO NOT RECOMMEND AT ALL! Jeff (Google Reviews), HEAL Program Information Discovery Ranch, Family Alleges Bestiality at Alternative School, The Troubled Teen Industry: Commodifying Disability and Capitalizing on Fear by Catherine Kushan (mentions Discovery Ranch), Strength in the Struggle A Marketing Video uploaded by the school to YouTube, Discovery Ranch Secret Prisons for Teens. They report that in January 2104, the boy was placed in a dorm at Discovery Ranch with three other boys, one who began grooming him and another resident for sexual victimization until he was violently sodomized. The attacker used threats of violence, coercion, guilt, and the merit system of Discovery Ranch to manipulate (the boy) to avoid reporting increasingly deviant sexual behaviors, including discussions about sex, pornography, masturbation, and sexual violence. According to the complaint, Discovery Ranchs merit system also prevented (him) from reporting the assaults because he believed that his inferior status and past interactions with Discovery Ranch staff and administrators would result in him being punished if he attempted to disclose the assaults. The family claims the sexual assaults went undiscovered and unchecked throughout the months of January and February and were only revealed when he [the assailant] was transferred from Discovery Ranch after being discovered engaging in bestiality with a horse. The family says that Discovery Ranch failed to adequately investigate the assailant for psychosexually deviant and violent tendencies before admitting him to Discovery Ranch and placing him in the dorm. Additional Information: Discovery ranch seems to actively try to remove as many negative reviews as they can, many were mine being removed over and over. The teenagers at Discovery Ranch as forced to adhere to a strict set of rules at all time. The website is misleading. Regardless of what they were there for, NO ONE SHOULD EVER BE TREATED AS INHUMANELY AS CHILDREN SUCH AS MYSELF WERE. To them, there is one way that every kid learns, and if you have learning disabilities thats too fucking bad and ask the doctor to raise your meds the next time he comes. We have all suffered enough, its time to heal and create a system that works. Carebear (Yelp), 2015: (SURVIVOR) This place is horrible. Michigan man found buried treasure. Lawsuits, harassment then found him Discovery Ranch only wants to know and talk about their truth which is nothing close to reality. If they mention these sorts of things to parents (over heavily monitored phone calls and letters in the mail), contact between student and parent would be cut off. Children sexually abused by other children at Eagle Ranch, lawsuit Lawsuit filed March 3rd against the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (ODAFF). My first treatment center was Redcliffe ascent, and I did really well there. Mysterious intruders throw a spanner into the works at Blind Frog Ranch The decision you make for your child will stay with them forever. Isnt that tax evasion? Even though I have left the program, if I dont follow their horribly rigorous and reclusive aftercare rules I go back. Although you move on and mature, its a wound that never fully heals and cuts deep. Individual, family, and group therapy all take place within a residential treatment setting. It sickens me that even after the kid is out of this place they threaten to send them back to this horrible place. My personal experience here was horrible. Therapeutic experiences challenge your son to learn and grow. It makes me fucking sick that this place, along with HUNDREDS of others, still exists, quietly protected under the umbrella of the state government of Utah, and that parents are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for their children to be tortured and driven insane or into obedient, soulless sociopaths. Anonymous (Tales from the Black School), 7/8/2013: (SURVIVOR) DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO DISCOVERY RANCH IF YOU CARE ABOUT THEM! Abuse at its finest.. we were totally and utterly underfed, one morning we were fed one mini bagel and one cream cheese. discovery ranch lawsuitshaun thompson elmhurst Consultation Request a Free Consultation Now. We will not share your information. Yes, we have an amazing ranch!! My first treatment center was Redcliffe ascent, and I did really well there. For many parents, this focus on parental participation is the reason they choose our program. We can help your family. Ripoff Report | Discovery Ranch for girls complaints, reviews, scams I had to raise a baby cow for the slaughter to learn to deal with loss, exercise until I threw up blood, pick up cow shit every day, I could go on and on. DO NOT RECOMMEND AT ALL! , The Troubled Teen Industry: Commodifying Disability and Capitalizing on Fear by Catherine Kushan. Im in therapy, on medication, have been to three AA meetings in the past three days, and just feel like I am out of options and suicide or getting constantly fucked up is my only option at this point. The pain doesnt just stop, they dont forget what you did to them, regardless of your intentions. DIAMOND RANCH ACADEMY, INC., Plaintiff and Counterclaim Defendant, v. CHELSEA FILER, Defendant and Counterclaim Plaintiff. You and your son will work to rebuild your relationship with weekly. Please save your child from this place. Jason (Google Reviews), 6/10/2016: (SURVIVOR) Terrible place dont send your child here. I felt meaningless, worthless, like a pawn used to control my dads emotions, fishing out hundreds of thousands of dollars from him. The moment I stepped foot on campus, I was treated like some sort of criminal. At Discovery Ranch for Boys, we hold ourselves to the, We maintain professional memberships in research organizations, such as, . UTAH RANCH LAWSUIT | UTAH RANCH LAWSUIT - A teen is filing a lawsuit The average stay is OVER a year not under like they love to say. The boat bought with funds by Discovery Ranch was not once used for the kids, the owners just use it for personal use. Also if you notice, a large majority of the 5 star ratings are from former staff as opposed to parents/students. William (Google Reviews), 6/1/2020: (SURVIVOR) Through my stay I personally witnessed: Two suicide attempts. Its not just the kids too, sometimes there are good staff, but whenever there is that person never lasts long at all, they all literally quit because this place is so horrible. STOP DISCOVER RANCH they will play you out of so much money its unbelievable. When you fail thats on you, dont punish your kids for your actions. You get used to the screaming and pleading for help, it becomes background noise. ORDER AND MEMORANDUM DECISION. Sure, we said all the things our parents wanted to hear once we got out, it was certainly drilled into us every single day, but that faded into a deep anger/depression that raised months, sometimes even years later, & you find yourself in worse condition than you were before entering DR; battling a demon 98% of people will never know. They will dream about it years after, waking up in the middle of the night from nightmares about being back there. It is reported by survivors that these calfs are later slaughtered, apparently in an attempt to teach the residents how to deal with loss. This practice is extremely cruel, and is reported to be very traumatic to many survivors. They only allow astonishing ones to pass. We have created this bond because unless you went through a detention center such as DR, you will not understand. (Yelp), 11/10/2013: (SURVIVOR) Link to Anonymous Survivor Testimony, 10/13/2013: (SURVIVOR) I attended Discovery Ranch 5 years ago when I was 15 years old. They will dream about it years after, waking up in the middle of the night from nightmares about being back there. Listen to your child, and dont fall into the traps that programs make which lead parents to think their child is untrustworthy, a liar, manipulator, etc. In this experiential, safe, and supportive environment, your son will confront his personal challenges with the goal of healing and increasing his capacity which builds his self-confidence and self-esteem. If you have any logic in your brain in the slightest then you should realize how goddamn stupid it would be to send your kid to this shit hole. , Its been about 8-9 years since I left DR; Im now 25 and although I dont dwell on what happened so much anymore, this place has had such a negative impact on my life. For example, in an employment law case, a fired employee will want to see their personnel file, and through discovery, an employer would likely be required to provide those documents. However, our neighbor whose son went there the following year had all good experiences. Therapy was more like brainwashing than therapy. Countless amounts of times seeing staff restrain kids in inhumane ways. If you want to send your kid to either wilderness or discovery ranch why dont you do us all a favor parents and send your child to Disney Land so theyll be happy rather then send them to whats pretty much a mental institution for parents that have no idea what the fuck there doing. Non-Verbal Learning Disability including High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD). NAAS is an organization that has accredited many notoriously abusive behavior-modification programs, including, The program is affiliated with several other, is the Executive Director of Discovery Ranch. 0. At one point during my stay, I saw my friend stab his arm repeatedly with a pencil, spraying blood all over me and the windowsill we were sitting on. I dont believe that the people who tortured me were innately evil; i think it was a situation similar to Abu Ghraib. When she was given her home visit, her mom took her to the doctor and was diagnosed, although we have tried to find the outcome of the lawsuit, none of us have been able to track her family down to share our sympathy). The school uses research to help create an individualized treatment plan for each teen. While enrolled at Discovery Ranch, your son will experience a safe and structured environment. Discovery Ranch has been a NATSAP member since 2005. After discovery ranch I couldnt even talk to my parents for months because of the trauma it caused me. Your job as parents is to help your child, you guys are the problem not your kids. Your Call is Confidential. They made me feel disgusting and quite hideous.