Jessica’s Horse
A Saturday afternoon call to the police department complained about a couple screaming at one another. The dispatcher sent a unit to check on a possible domestic violence situation. Alcohol was involved, as it often is, but when they ran a check of the father they found two warrants for possession of drugs. The mother, really only a girl herself, held her two children close while the paramedics checked a very swollen eye and bruising on both arms.
The responding officer started filling out the paperwork while the backup officer talked with the mother and children. Remembering the man from the horse rescue that dropped by the station, he walked to the back of his unit, opened the trunk, pulled out two plush toy horses and handed them to the children.
“These are Jessica’s horses,” he said as the thought of Jessica Rekos, the six year old that lost her life in Newtown, Connecticut. “She wants you to have them. They are a gift from her.”
Both of the children held the tiny horses tight. The mother smiled at the officer.
“Thank you. Seriously. Thank you.”
Jessica’s Horse…
To honor Jessica, to pay tribute to her love of horses, to demonstrate that love in a way that will keep on giving over and over again, we have started a program called simply, “Jessica’s Horse.”
Yesterday we delivered a dozen soft stuffed horses to the local police department, then ordered more online. There are probably twenty small towns within a few miles of the ranch, each with its own police department, and every patrol unit will have a couple of “Jessica’s horses” in their truck.
Jessica Rekos, from what I understand, would have been thrilled to know that a small, stuffed horse would end up in the arms of a child facing bad times. They don’t need police 
cars and hate-filled parents, screaming arguments or cold nights without food or shelter, but they absolutely need a friend, and that friend might be a huggable stuffed horse. If nothing else, they will have that.
Habitat for Horses will have our own “Jessica’s Horse” program, starting today. If you donate to the program, your donation will be used solely for that purpose, but I have a better suggestion – ask your local equine rescue to start their own “Jessica’s Horse” program. It falls right in line with what we are all trying to do – to cultivate the love of horses.
Even better – talk to your company, see if they would be interested in supplying your local law enforcement office with Jessica’s Horses on an ongoing basis. No company logos, no photo ops, just a company doing good in honor of a beautiful little girl that loved horses.
But the best idea of all? Stop by a Dollar store, pick up a couple of toy horses (make sure they are the plush, huggable kind!) and take them by the police department. Tell them that it’s for any child the officer thinks needs a bit of comfort, and tell them it’s in honor of Jessica Rekos. They will understand.
Remember – this isn’t a one stop gift. The officers need Jessica’s horses throughout the year
Jessica’s horse – maybe she does get a horse after all, multiplied a thousand times over, from her heart to the hearts of children across the country that need the special gift of love.
Will you think about it? Not 26 acts of kindness, but acts that continue throughout the years. This is not about donating, this is about taking action. It isn’t about Habitat for Horses, it’s about your own town, the patrol units that pass by your front door.
Tell them the story. Make certain they understand. Do it in honor of Jessica.
Okay – this one is going out today! Thanks, Jerry
Jerry,
You are awesome!! As a volunteer at Habitat for Horses I have learned to open up and enjoy life alittle more everyday!. Vickie and Thom are two of the greatest people to work along side of!!! My son and I enjoy everytime we come out and work with the horses. Galveston County is so blessed to have you and this organization where horses who are neglected, etc can come have a safe haven to rehabilitate. Thank you for everything you guys do!!!
Kimberly Adam
One of my best friends was Jessica’s rifng instructor in Newtown. They are devastated. Jessica loved everything “horse” Please contact me for a donation my email is aboove. She will be smiling down on all the kids because from what John the owner of the bran where she rode said “She was an angel and this could make a criminal cry” God bless you for your hope.
HOW WONDERFUL!!! Passing this on and will do some of this myself!!!!
What a wonderful way to connect the horses and the children who are all in need of comfort.
As you suggested, I sent the link to another horse rescue, hoping every rescue around the country finds out about and replicates this beautiful idea.
this is so wonderful!!!! little Jessica caught my heart too…b/c she loved horses.
i will do this! what a beautiful way to honor a little angel and feel so good about it too. thanks! God bless you and please have a wonderful Christmas.
love and huggs to all.
I love your idea, Jerry!
I went looking for these little horse tonight but could not find them….
Maybe eBay? Does anyone have any suggestions?
Perfect… That’s what caught my attention too, many of them loved various animals. In her honor, Jessica’s Horses. Wonderful
Thank you for sharing!
Wonderful idea! Will see what we can do to promote this in our area. It is so needed.
Hey, Jerry?
I read your post again and see you ordered more online.
Please, tell us where they can be ordered.
Thank you for giving us a way to help.
Jill
I ordered what few I could find at Amazon. Thinking seriously of ordering a lot of them wholesale. Did Google searches for “plush horse bulk” and several other word combinations. Wish I could find an American manufacturer that would imprint them with “Jessica’s horse.”
Hi Jerry, I did find a bulk stuffed horse that can be embroidered at halfpriceplush dot com and the company is in VT, but I don’t know if the toys are made in the US.
Perfect find! Thank you!
Item 36220 looks perfect.
I will call them this morning to see if we can order a lot of them.
I’ll ask that they print “Jessica’s Horse – In honor of Jessica Rekos” on the blanket.
Wells Fargo gives away these plush horses this time of the year for opening an account. Perhaps they can be approached to donate their leftovers to this cause? Anyone know someone who works there? Every branch is full of them!
I wonder if Webkins would get involved. They have several styles of plush horses that would be perfect for this cause
This is awesome!!