Brighten Your Day

Retired Couple Share Their 25-Acre Farm With Vets Suffering From PTSD

October 31, 2016

Rick and Donna Wanless have lived on a serene 25-acre farm for the past 43 years – but now they want to share it with those who might need some peace and quiet as well.

The retired couple is transforming their property into Honor Ranch: a refuge for veterans and first responders suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

"We're both in our 70s now," said Wanless.

"And, we thought, it's time we considered doing something, giving back something in return for the good life that we've had."

The 25 acres, called Hacienda Caballo / Photo: Rick Wanless

Honor House, a nearby housing project in New Westminster that gives out-of-town patients a place for rehabilitation and care, will work together with Honor Ranch to further develop their facilities. Their gazebo, stable, and guesthouse will offer places for therapy programs and treatment activities while the organization builds tiny houses and rooms for out-of-town visitors.

"We're hoping it will provide a bit of an escape from the rigors of everyday life, where people could come and camp and fish and do some boating," said Wanless. "At some point in the future, [the main house] may well become gifted to the first responders and to Honor House but at the present time we're just sharing what we've got with them."

(h/t) GNN via CBC