Jessie Miller

The inspiration for EPIC Outreach came from my long-standing passion for education and the realization that many of the issues facing animals today stemmed from a lack of knowledge and awareness. During my time as an animal control officer, I saw firsthand how educating people could make a lasting difference, especially when it came to teaching them how to properly care for their pets rather than simply penalizing them. That experience motivated me to create an organization focused on educating people, raising their consciousness, and empowering them to make better decisions. Later, after seeing the gap in resources for farmed animals, I created the sanctuary as a place where we could directly show people the impact of compassion for these animals.

A moment that deeply shaped my path was when I witnessed a German Shepherd dog, hit by a car, lying motionless in the street. I was just a child, and it struck me deeply that no one seemed to care enough to intervene. That moment planted the seed for my lifelong dedication to animal advocacy. As I grew older and gained more experience in the animal welfare field, my passion for educating others about the importance of compassion and responsible stewardship continued to grow. I realized that advocating for animals meant not only rescuing them but also teaching people to care for them in the first place.

The #BeKind message has been at the core of everything I’ve done, even before I started EPIC Outreach. It reflects my own personal journey of learning to be kind to myself and others. I’ve always believed that kindness is the foundation for creating real change, and that’s exactly what EPIC Outreach stands for—Educating People Inspiring Compassion through acts of kindness. Professionally, it means embodying the message in all of our outreach and programs, creating a community where kindness is the norm, not the exception.

One of the most unforgettable rescue stories I’ve experienced is that of Kody, the horse who has become a profound part of my journey—not just as a rescuer but as a person. Kody’s story is deeply intertwined with my own path to healing. He came to us with a history of being misunderstood, particularly around his struggles with food. His issues with food were something I could relate to all too well, as I too had battled my own demons with food. I was trapped in a cycle of bulimia, and Kody's struggles became a mirror for my own.

As I watched Kody, so eager to learn but struggling to find balance, I realized that his journey could help me heal mine. His patience, his intelligence, and his willingness to work through his challenges taught me so much about myself. Over time, Kody helped me confront my own food addiction in ways I couldn’t have imagined. It was as though he was teaching me to open up to the possibility of healing—just as I was learning to open up to him.

Kody is now one of my heart horses, and the connection we share is nothing short of miraculous. He’s incredibly smart and learns quickly, which is part of what makes him so special to me. His eagerness to learn mirrors my own willingness to grow and evolve. The bond we’ve built has made me braver, both in rescuing animals and in embracing my own growth. Kody has shown me that no challenge is insurmountable, that everything is figureoutable if we take a moment to listen deeply to our intuition and trust in the process.

Through Kody, I’ve learned that love, patience, and understanding are the keys to overcoming even the most difficult struggles. His rescue story is a testament to the transformative power of compassion—and it continues to shape the work I do every day.

A typical day at EPIC Outreach involves both routine and connection. I start with animal care, feeding, cleaning, and checking in with the animals. The animals are individuals, and I take time to connect with each one, noticing their personalities and needs. Throughout the day, we also have tours or educational programs where visitors, especially children, come to interact with the animals. It’s fulfilling to see the transformation in people when they truly connect with the animals and learn their stories. The sanctuary is not just about the animals—it’s about creating a space where kindness and compassion can grow.

The animals at our sanctuary are the stars of our educational programs. They allow people to experience firsthand the deep bond we share with animals, and they play a key role in helping us teach empathy, compassion, and responsibility. For example, we host visits from underserved schools, where children have the opportunity to interact with animals like Buck the horse. One memorable story is when a young boy who was terrified of horses, by the end of his visit, was walking side-by-side with Buck, petting him and smiling. That kind of transformation is what our educational programs are all about—helping people overcome fears and develop compassion for others.

My experiences with animals were a driving force behind Loosen the Reins. Kody, the horse, became an essential part of the narrative, as his own struggles with food mirrored my own journey with eating disorders. Writing about him allowed me to reflect on the parallels between his rescue and my recovery. The animals at the sanctuary have taught me valuable life lessons about patience, healing, and self-compassion, and these lessons are woven throughout the book.

I hope that readers take away the message that kindness and compassion are not just for animals—they’re for ourselves, too. If we can learn to be kind to ourselves, it becomes easier to extend that kindness to others, whether they’re people, animals, or the environment. I want my book to serve as a reminder that kindness is a powerful tool for change, and it starts within. By showing compassion for ourselves and others, we can create a more harmonious world.

Several people have reached out to me, sharing how Loosen the Reins helped them overcome their own struggles with addiction, especially with food and alcohol. One person said my story gave them the courage to confront their own addiction/s and seek help. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that by sharing my story, I’ve been able to help others feel less alone in their struggles and more empowered to make positive changes in their lives.

The hardest challenge in writing Loosen the Reins was confronting my own past and being vulnerable about my struggles. Writing about my addiction and recovery was not easy, and I had to face a lot of painful memories. However, I pushed through because I believed in the power of my story to help others. I wanted to create something that wasn’t just a book but a tool for healing and inspiration. My hope was always that my vulnerability would encourage others to open up about their own experiences and tell their story so they can be the change for someone else too.

I’m incredibly proud of the impact EPIC Outreach has had over the years. Watching the organization grow from an idea into a thriving sanctuary and educational hub has been incredibly rewarding. I’m also proud of the positive changes we’ve made in the lives of the animals we’ve rescued and the people we’ve educated. The community we’ve built around kindness and compassion continues to grow, and I’m proud to be a part of that.

In the long term, I see EPIC Outreach expanding to reach even more people and animals. I envision us growing our educational programs, offering scholarships and grants to help others create positive change in their communities, and collaborating with like-minded organizations. Ultimately, I want EPIC Outreach to have an even broader impact, not just in Northeast Florida but across the country, inspiring people to live more compassionate lives.

I believe that as more people become aware of the challenges animals face, and as we continue to educate future generations, compassion for animals and the environment will only grow. The key is reaching young people and teaching them empathy, which will lead to a generation of compassionate leaders. Through education, we can shift the narrative, making kindness and sustainability the norm rather than the exception.

It’s definitely a balancing act. I’ve struggled with compassion fatigue and have had to work hard at finding a balance that allows me to stay healthy mentally, physically, and spiritually. Running a nonprofit is demanding, but I’ve made self-care a priority by staying active, eating well, and carving out time each day for prayer, meditation, and reflection. It’s not always easy, but I’ve learned that in order to keep giving to others, I have to take care of myself first.

I haven’t put much focus on book promotion due to the demands of running EPIC Outreach, but I recognize the need for a strategy. I’ve relied more on word of mouth and organic promotion. AllAuthor was recommended by my editors, and I trust their advice. I’ve found it to be a helpful tool for promoting the book and connecting with readers. It’s a great platform for authors looking to reach a wider audience.