The Brightside: Jesse’s Place
MILFORD, Del. – In Delaware, a nonprofit organization is hoping to use animals, specifically dogs and horses as a form of therapy for kids who were in the foster care system.
“I believe that’s why I was put on this earth, is to help people and animals,” says Sarah Hayes, who has made it her life work to do just that. With a long history of equine, and dog care, Hayes has turned her passion into a non-profit organization; Jesse’s Place in Milford.
“Rescued horses and animals are very intuitive and can help a child that has gone through trauma because they’ve experienced it themselves,” says Hayes. She adds, “I use rescued horses and do team building activities, I do the equine side, and then we have a trauma therapist that comes out and does the talk therapy.” Jesse’s Place will allow children to learn to care for the horses, facilitate craft activities, interact with the dogs, participate in sports activities, and find a new way to express themselves.
However, the idea of creating this non-profit stemmed from Hayes’s foster child, Jesse, who came to her back in 2017. “Jesse was wise beyond his years even in all of his trauma and I’m glad I’m his momma figure.”
We’re told Jesse had seizures, and while looking for ways to cope with his medical issues, his love for animals prompted him to start a small business to earn money to purchase a dog. He would weed-wack neighbors’ yards and eventually earned enough to adopt Monique, who is now a PTSD combo dog. “Jesse left behind a really good dog and you’re never alone when you have good animals and God helping you.”
While Jesse’s time with her was short, his impact on Hayes is the driving factor in her work. She saw the impact a dog had on him, and she wanted the same for others. “It just popped into my head one day, help the children in foster care, and don’t ever stop helping. Jesse’s story, even though it’s a sad story, even in all the trauma, he’s going to have a good life,” says Hayes.
Through partnerships with places like Humane Animal Partners in Rehoboth, their furry friends will get a chance to be adopted. Further reiterating Hayes and her non-profit’s mission to help animals, big and small, and in turn, help kids too. “Even in a lost, broken world, it’s still good, there’s still good people out there.” Hayes adds, “We’re all rescues and we all have a story, it all depends on what we do with that story.”
The official grand opening for Jesse’s Place is set for April of next year, where there will be music, a BBQ, horses, therapy dogs, auctions, and much more. Until then, Hayes tells us she’s looking for help from the community to fill IT positions, volunteers, and of course donations.
We’re also told Jesse plans to return to Delaware sometime next year to reunite. For more information, you can visit their Facebook page at Jesse’s Place, or call Sarah Hayes at 302-393-3040.
