A heartwarming surprise from the Ottawa Police Service's Mounted Unit brought immense joy and excitement to a young boy who has faced significant health challenges throughout his life. Four-year-old Jack Godda, who lives with the rare genetic brain disease adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), was visited by two majestic Clydesdale horses and their officers in a special community outreach effort designed to lift his spirits.
A Special Visit Arranged for Jack
Constables Amber Curran and Mike Compton arrived with their equine partners Rio, a four-year-old Clydesdale known for his athleticism, and Deputy, a five-year-old horse weighing over 800 kilograms. The officers organized this unique visit specifically to bring happiness to Jack during his ongoing medical journey.
"Today we're meeting with Jack just to check in and do a friendly little visit to brighten his spirits," explained Constable Paddye Magill, who helped coordinate the special moment. The mounted unit's powerful horses created an unforgettable experience for the young boy who has long admired police officers.
Jack's Health Journey and Milestones
Jack's life has been marked by extensive medical treatment since his diagnosis with ALD, a rare condition that affects the brain and adrenal glands. He has undergone seven MRIs to monitor potential brain deterioration and receives ongoing care for adrenal insufficiency. In June 2025, at just three years old, Jack traveled to Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children where he underwent seven days of chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant aimed at slowing the disease's progression.
Since returning home to Ottawa, Jack has been closely monitored by specialists at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. His family is celebrating a significant milestone: Jack has been cleared to start kindergarten this year, marking a positive step in his health journey.
The Meaning Behind the Visit
For Jack, who first expressed his desire to become a police officer at age two and whose favorite game is playing police, this visit held special significance. The officers presented Jack with a special challenge coin to add to his collection, continuing a tradition that began when he received his first coin from the police chief during a previous encounter.
Deputy Chief Patricia Ferguson emphasized the importance of such community interactions, stating, "I think this is really the good news stories — the reach out to the community to support in a different way than what maybe is expected by the Ottawa police, but support nonetheless. When families are struggling, anything we can do to shine some light on the situation, education and knowledge is a great thing."
A Day to Remember
Despite the cold March weather requiring full winter gear, Jack's smile was unmistakable behind his neck warmer as the horses turned the corner and pranced down his street. The mounted unit members posed for photographs with Jack's family, including his mother Cara Stuart, father Jarett Godda, and seven-year-old sister Tessa Godda.
Jack called the experience the "coolest surprise ever" and now proudly tells everyone about the day Ottawa's mounted officers and their horses came specifically for him. The visit followed a proper police briefing beforehand to ensure all members were prepared for their mission: bringing smiles to Jack and his family.
Though challenges may still lie ahead in Jack's health journey, this special community outreach effort from the Ottawa Police Service's Mounted Unit created lasting memories and demonstrated the human side of policing that extends beyond traditional law enforcement duties.
