The Ranch Ehrlo Society in Saskatchewan has been awarded a rare privilege with a royal connection.
Sharon Johnston, the wife of Canada’s Governor General, has agreed to be a patron of the society.
Basically, that means it has her support and gives it the opportunity to call on the Governor General’s office to help promote the work it does.
The communications officer for Ranch Ehrlo, Justin Waldrop, says Johnston visited last fall and was very impressed with the work the society does with emotionally and mentally troubled teens.
Waldrop says Ranch Ehrlo was told to apply for patron status because there was no question it would be granted:
“So that means a lot, you know. She has some special causes, like mental illness, and removing the stigma attached to and rehabilitation of mental illness is a really huge goal to her and something she is very passionate about.”
Ranch Ehrlo operates residential treatment facilities near Regina, Prince Albert and Saskatoon.
Its focus is on turning broken teens into healthy and productive members of society.
Most of its clients are between the ages of 13 and 19, and most have suffered severe emotional and mental health issues.
Among other things, the society uses horseback riding to help build self-esteem and responsibility.