LOVE REINS RANCH OKANAGAN
Love Reins Ranch Okanagan is 'Thriving' with activity. Organic in nature, we welcome kids, families and the men from Adult & Teen Challenge BC. Over the past 5 years of operation we have had thousands of visits and as many or more smiles.
Partnering with both Adult & Teen Challenge BC and Thrive Kids Canada has been amazing. The horses are well trained and welcome the attention. Apples, carrots and lettuce are always welcome.
We could not do what we do without the amazing partnership of volunteers.
Ministry with the horses includes stories, life lessons, grief support, birthday parties and much more.
Please connect with us if you would like to visit Love Reins Ranch or become one of our amazing volunteers.
Our Lead Wranglers
Norm Bonk
Co-Founder & Chief Director
Everyones Favourite Cowboy!
Norm has no plans of ever hanging up his hat to retire. We don’t want to get too personal, but he has been riding and training horses for over 7 decades! He's got experience! God has given Norm a desire to love and encourage people. norm has over 50 years of preaching and singing the gospel. he also has been instrumental in leading the start up of two previous youth ranches in both alberta and saskatchewan. When you visit the ranch you'll get to hear a true story from his cowboy adventures, complete with a life lesson based on biblical principals. The stories never end with this cowboy!
Joanne Bonk
Co-Founder & Head Director
Joanne grew up on the farm and is no stranger to the ranch. Although she doesn’t ride, she has no problem helping with horses and enjoys leading the kids around and having great conversations. She doesn’t own cowboy boots...yet... but she is happy to help wherever needed. If you think of a craft, want to schedule a time to visit the ranch, or plan an event, she is all in.
Joanne is a great support and gets things done. She sees it, she does it or she delegates...
but it does get done!
Giuliana Carbone
Mane Director
Giuliana is the ranches cowgirl! Giuliana found us in the summer of 2023 and has been nothing short of amazing! She understands horses, people, kids and is a lot of fun to be around. Both Norm and Joanne highly respect the giftings and energy of Giuliana. Her love for, and knowledge of, horses ensures that everyone who visits the ranch leaves with a smile on their face and a better rider - she'll even teach you how to rope!
Ernie Falk
lead director
We could never find a more capable, dependable, caring, retired businessman, volunteer than Ernie. He was the first volunteer to throw his hat in the ring to say, 'I am in!' What a blessing and inspiration Ernie is to the Adult and Teen Challenge men in recovery, and to the community children. You can count on him to do a lesson on obedience with his dog Abby, teach kids how to ride and he will even show some amazing cutting moves.
Our volunteer wranglers are the best!
Margie
erica
Margie
Erica and Richard
Our Horses
We would not be able to do what the Lord has placed in our hearts without the amazing blessing of volunteers. We have retired teachers, nurses, businessmen, insurance experts, and others who have said, ‘Can I join you? I want to be part of where God is at work!’ We are truly grateful for the amazing team that has surrounded this ministry. If you would like to be part of this amazing team, we would like to meet you. Please call us. Process to become a Love Reins Volunteer is a face-to-face meeting, an application form and completion of a Criminal Records Check. Your faith background, teachability, willingness and your horse experience (beneficial but not necessary), are all valuable assets. We are flexible and happy to work around your schedule of availability.