INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Mounted Patrol Unit has been named recipient of the 2022 PETS Award presented by IndyVet Emergency & Specialty Hospital.
Presentation of the award was made recently at the 24th IndyVet Pet Carnival, an annual celebration of all-things-animal held at IndyVet, 5425 Victory Drive. IndyVet founder James Speiser, DVM made the presentation to IMPD Mounted Officer Palumbo and his equine partner Maddie, Sgt. Sperry and Lyric, Officer Martin and Stretch, and Officer Schmitt and Lakota.
The PETS Award represents and recognizes Professional Excellence Through Service, and is presented annually by IndyVet to an individual or organization that has demonstrated qualities of outstanding community service with love and commitment to animals.
Previous recipients include the Indiana State Police K9 Division, the Tony Stewart Foundation, Paws & Think, and other people and groups that work tirelessly to better Indianapolis and Central Indiana while showing their dedication to, and concern for, animal welfare.
Since 1983, the Mounted Patrol Unit has developed relationships with thousands of Indianapolis residents while managing crowds, securing events, and patrolling the city — especially its downtown area.
“These highly trained and skilled officers and their equine partners regularly appear at events throughout Indianapolis,” said Dr. Speiser during the award presentation. “They are expert at managing crowds with the least amount of force necessary to maintain the peace, and they simply are a magnificent presence in the downtown area — or anywhere in the city, for that matter.”
